(Image By: Steven Senne/Associated Press)
Written By: Matt Di Domenico
Twitter: @didomenicomatt5
LinkedIn: Matt Di Domenico | LinkedIn
The 2021 NFL season now has reached the #12 week in this season. It has been filled with twists and turns every week. Teams and players are still trying to separate themselves as the best. Many teams are on a roll and look to be a couple of weeks away from punching their ticket into the playoffs. Other teams now have problems that they have to fix before the postseason starts. It is starting to hit the period where it will get very interesting. Below are the 3 winners and 3 losers for week #13 in the NFL.
Losers:
1. QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
He’s certainly back, and he is right back on my losers list. Cam Newton had a game to forget against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Newton had an awful game and an awful stat line that back the haters' reason for why Cam is not starting QB material anymore. Newton went 5 for 21 with 92 passing yards and 2 INTs. These were just horrible numbers, and it really has a negative look on Newton's career. The final score of the game was 33 to 10 so certainly, the run for Carolina is coming to an end in 2021. Cam tried to salvage their season, but it looks to be all but over now. Next up for the Panthers is the Atlanta Falcons who have been struggling themselves. We will see if Cam can bounce back in a huge way.
2. QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Right when you thought the Philadelphia Eagles were on their way to turning their season around, they have a stinker like this one. That stinker was a 13 to 7 loss to the New York Giants, and it has us all confused. The Eagles QB in Jalen Hurts has actually played very well over the past couple of weeks so this one was a bit of a surprise. Hurts went 14 for 31 with 129 passing yards and had 3 INTs. The Eagles now have fallen to 5-7 and certainly, this loss did not help the Eagles playoff chances. Hurts and the Eagles will have to bounce back next week against the New York Jets or else their chance of making the playoffs could be all but wrapped up.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
This one really was a shocker. Many people, including myself, had the Los Angeles Chargers winning this game against the Denver Broncos. Both sides of the football just did not show up for the Chargers in this 28 to 13 loss. This was a game that the Chargers needed to win to prove that they are a team in the AFC that will be a challenge to beat come January. Justin Herbert did not have a very good day with 2 INTs. The run game for the Chargers just was non-existent in this game. Give the Broncos credit, they had a great game plan to win this football game and executed it at a high level. The Chargers will have a tough test next week against the Cincinnati Bengals who are coming off a huge win against their divisional rival.
Winners:
1. RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon is such an electric RB that does not get enough credit for the job that he has done this year for the Cincinnati Bengals. Mixon is a do it all back that has been able to put up big-time numbers all year long. The Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday because of the performance that Mixon put up. Mixon had 28 carries for 165 rushing yards and had 2 TDs. The Bengals now have swept the Steelers this season and are sitting in a pretty good spot at a record of 7-4. Mixon will look to have a big day again when he takes on the struggling defense of the Los Angeles Chargers. Will not be surprised if Mixon finds himself on this list again next week.
2. QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Injured toe and all, that is not going to stop Aaron Rodgers from doing his job at a high level. Rodgers was not present at practice all week and was still able to demolish this Los Angeles Rams defense. Rodgers was 28 for 45, with 307 passing yards, and had 3 total TDs. One of those TDs was a 3rd down scramble to beat CB Jalen Ramsey into the endzone. The Packers beat the Rams with a final score of 36 to 28. Again, Rodgers is having an MVP type of season even though he missed a game to the Covid-19 virus. The Packers get their bye this week and Rodgers will look to rest up that toe before taking on the Chicago Bears in week #14.
3. QB Mac Jones, New England Patriots
As much as many people do not want to believe it, this New England Patriots team is a Super Bowl contender. Mac Jones is playing at a very high level for a rookie QB. Jones was able to take down the Tennessee Titans in a 36 to 13 beatdown. Jones is making a lot of good throws and smart decisions that you want to see. On Sunday, Jones went 23 for 32 with 310 passing yards and had 2 TDs. Next up for Jones and the Patriots is the Buffalo Bills which ultimately could decide the AFC East. Look for Jones to rely on his RBs a lot in that game and we will see if Jones is ready to take the AFC East back for New England.