We’ve reached Week 13 of the NFL Season. It’s Thanksgiving week, meaning we had three huge games on Thanksgiving Day. We also have a Black Friday tilt. Now, that leaves 11 games on the Sunday slate. Below are the five I’m most excited to see.

Early Games:

Houston Texans (6-5) at Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
About: This is a big matchup for the AFC North, and also a big matchup for the AFC Playoff picture. The Texans have won three straight, clawing back into the picture though still outside the Top 7. The Colts, meanwhile, lead the AFC South but suffered an overtime loss to the Chiefs in Week 12. They need a win at home to keep things going.

Arizona Cardinals (3-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
About: The Cardinals are having a rough season. They haven’t won many games, but they have been frisky on offense for the past few weeks. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, survived a brutal stretch. They are still on top in the NFC South, but just barely. And now Baker Mayfield is banged up. The Buccaneers need a win, and the Cardinals would love to play spoiler.

Los Angeles Rams (9-2) at Carolina Panthers (6-6)
About: The Rams are all alone atop the NFC West and the NFC in general. They need wins to stay that way. The Panthers, meanwhile, are in the midst of a tough division race. The Panthers are a half game back of the Buccaneers, but they need wins on a brutal schedule. Can the pull off the upset? Or will the Rams maintain their lead in the NFC?

Sunday Late Games:

Minnesota Vikings (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
About: The Seahawks are in prime position to make the playoffs, but they need to keep winning. They also want to keep the pressure on the Rams. The Vikings, meanwhile, went from one of the best records in the league in 2024 to well out of things in 2025. Now, J.J. McCarthy is banged up again. He’s been ineffective while he’s been in. But either way, the Vikings will face their former starting quarterback in Sam Darnold. That makes things interesting.

Buffalo Bills (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
About: This is a huge matchup in the AFC playoff race, and possibly one of the best of the Sunday slate. The Bills are still in the playoff picture, but just barely. They can ill-afford any more losses, especially with the Patriots already three up in the win column. The Steelers, meanwhile, have slid from a solid lead in the AFC North to behind the Ravens entering Week 13. Both teams need a win, and this should be a fierce battle.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.