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Baltimore, Detroit and Indianapolis top score in week 13's NFL grades

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05:  Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets during
Image: Andrew Luck threw four touchdown passes and the Indianapolis Colts received a top grade in week 13

Top performances from the AFC North and West, but it's disappointing reading for the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.

NFC North

Detroit Lions (W 28-13 @ New Orleans)

Matthew Stafford confidently and comfortably won the battle of the gunslingers down south; triumphing with 341 yards and two touchdowns to Drew Brees' 326 yards and three crippling interceptions. Golden Tate continued his upward trending season too, with 145 yards and a score. Grade A

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Highlights of the Detroit Lions' win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 13 of the NFL

Green Bay Packers (W 21-13 v Houston)

The Packers proved that their win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week, which broke their four-game skid, was no fluke. Aaron Rodgers threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns in testing, snowy conditions in Green Bay. Grade B+

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Highlights of the Green Bay Packers' win over the Houston Texans in Week 13 of the NFL

Chicago Bears (W 26-6 v San Francisco)

The stellar running of rookie RB Jordan Howard continues to be somewhat the lone bright spark of an otherwise forgetful season in Chicago. He ran in for three scores, and 117 yards, in this otherwise forgettable clash between two of the league's basement teams. Grade B

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Highlights of the Chicago Bears' win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13 of the NFL

Minnesota Vikings (L 17-15 v Dallas)

Having been free and clear in the NFC North, the Vikings are now in the thick of the dog fight. Minnesota's defence once again put up a tremendous fight against one of the most dominant offences in the league, holding Ezekiel Elliott to his lowest rushing total since week two, and the lowest passing yards of Dak Prescott's career to date.

The offence, though, is averaging just over 14 points a game since their bye week and it isn't all on Sam Bradford's shoulders. Dropped catches on key plays could have been enough for a different outcome here. Grade C-

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W 28-21 @ San Diego)

The Bucs keep on rolling! Their fourth win of the season has lifted the team into a play-off Wild Card spot, something that was inconceivable at the end of October. Keith Tandy's end zone interception with three minutes to play handed the Bucs a win, which could help them to the post-season for the first time in eight years. Grade B+

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Highlights of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' victory over the San Diego Chargers. Video from NFL.com

Atlanta Falcons (L 29-28 v Kansas City)

Atlanta let a game slip through their fingers as they lost the lead that had taken them the best part of four quarters to regain, instantaneously. Eric Berry intercepted Matt Ryan for the second time, this time for a safety off a failed two-point conversion attempt, that proved to be the game-winning score. Grade C

New Orleans Saints (L 28-13 v Detroit)

Brees failed to complete a touchdown pass for the first time in 60 games at home as the Saints' already slim play-off hopes got even slimmer with a heavy defeat to Detroit. Grade D

Carolina Panthers (L 40-7 @ Seattle)

It all went very wrong from the moment the Panthers arrived in Seattle. Maybe even before, as quarterback Cam Newton was benched for the first series, for a 'dress code violation'. One play was enough as Derek Anderson threw a pick, and the Panthers looked out of it from there. Their 55-yard touchdown aside, it was a disastrous game for Carolina who will look forward to the season's end. Grade F

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (W 17-15 @ Minnesota)

It wasn't convincing but the Cowboys came out of a tricky road game with their 11-game winning streak in tact. Taking advantage of Adam Thielen's fumbled punt return, Dallas came out on top of a hard-fought defensive match up. Even better news was that, because of their early fixture, the team could sit and watch as the Redskins lost to the Caridnals, guaranteeing their play-off spot. Grade B

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Highlights of the Dallas Cowboys' victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Video from NFL.com

Washington Redskins (L 31-23 @ Arizona)

A loss that takes them out of the play-off places for now, after a disappointing defensive showing gave too much respect to running back David Johnson and the Cardinals attack. Quarterback Kirk Cousins missed on throws but faced a great deal of pressure. He needs more support from the offensive line if this team is going to have an impact in January. Grade C

New York Giants (L 24-14 @ Pittsburgh)

It was a perfect opportunity to show the league that the Giants are a legitimate play-off contender, but Eli Manning and his offence couldn't get it done when they needed to. Wide receiver Victor Cruz voiced his frustration at a lack of targets, as the Giants went under 300 yards of offence for the second week running. Manning threw two interceptions - the second of which proving critical - and will have to get hot fast if New York are to hang on to their post-season spot. Grade D

Philadelphia Eagles (L 32-14 @ Cincinnati)

In what proved to be their biggest loss of the season, against a depleted Bengals side, head coach Doug Pederson questioned the effort of his players. Rookie QB Carson Wentz threw three interceptions, and it could have been more had it not been for Cincinnati's slippery fingers. Unfamiliar with losing, the next few weeks will tell us a lot about Wentz as a leader. It wasn't any better on defence, as the struggled to sustain pressure on quarterback Andy Dalton and force the opposition to punt. Still a lot of work to do if this organisation is going to compete. Grade D-

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks (W 40-7 v Carolina)

The Seahawks were everything the Panthers weren't on Sunday. Russell Wilson and the offence racked up 534 yards and Thomas Rawls battered Carolina's makeshift defence with a dominant running game. The win came at a cost as the team lost Earl Thomas for the rest of the season, after the safety suffered a fractured tibia. How will they survive without the influential 'Legion of Boom' member? We'll find out on Sunday when they take on the Packers. Grade A

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Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks' victory over the Carolina Panthers. Video from NFL.com

Arizona Cardinals (W 31-23 v Washington)

The Cardinals looked like the team everyone expected them to be this season as they dominated the Redskins on Sunday. Jermaine Gresham saw increased production which is positive, considering the lack of help Carson Palmers' wide receiver core have been. David Johnson continued to lead the way with two scores and several important plays, including a fourth and one conversion to set up a late touchdown. It may be too late, but will give Cardinals fans reason for optimism. Grade B 

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Highlights of the Arizona Cardinals' 31-23 victory over the Washington Redskins. Video from NFL.com

Los Angeles Rams (L 26-10 @ New England)

How not to celebrate your head coach earning a two-year extension to his contract - the Rams put in a woeful performance against the New England Patriots, particularly on offence. The Rams were outgained 402 yards to 162, and managed only a league-lowest 25 from the first half. Grade D-

San Francisco 49ers (L 29-9 @ Chicago)

Surely it couldn't get any worse for the 49ers? Some positives seemed to emerge from slim defeats to the Cardinals, the Patriots and the Miami Dolphins in the last three weeks - particularly the improved play of Colin Kaepernick. Enter week 13, and a four-yard effort against the Bears. Yes, just four yards! Grade E

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (W 38-6 v Miami)

Take a bow Joe Flacco! Entering the game, the Ravens QB had 10 interceptions on the season, and a league-low 11 touchdowns, but Flacco proceeded to torch the Dolphins secondary for 381 yards and four TDs off a franchise-record 36 completions in 47 attempts. Grade A+

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Highlights of the Miami Dolphins' win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13 of the NFL

Cincinnati Bengals (W 32-14 v Philadelphia)

The Bengals earned a first win in five with a comfortable victory at home over the Eagles. Andy Dalton starred - despite missing his No 1 target in A.J. Green - as he threw for 332 yards and two TDs. Grade A

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Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals' win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13 of the NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers (W 24-14 v New York Giants)

As is the Pittsburgh way, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers are building momentum at the right time. Tight end Ladarius Green stepped up as a top receiver with 110 yards and a touchdown. Le'Veon Bell continued to be the most effective back in the NFL, both as a runner and a receiver, and Randy Bullock, a kicker signed 24 hours before the game, made all three of his field goal attempts to complete a dominant performance. Grade B+ 

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Highlights of the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the New York Giants in Week 13 of the NFL

Cleveland Browns - Bye

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (W 41-10 @ New York Jets)

It was Andrew Luck's best game of the season as he dismantled a Jets team depleted in confidence. T.Y Hilton and Dwayne Allen constantly broke free of their coverage, and Allen added three touchdowns to put the Colts ahead. The defence claimed three interceptions, in a performance that gives Indianapolis a fighting chance of making the post-season. Grade A

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Highlights of the Indianapolis Colts' 41-10 victory over the New York Jets. Video from NFL.com

Houston Texans (L 21-13 @ Green Bay)

The Texans were more than competitive in foreign conditions in Green Bay - the snow a far cry from the Houston heat. Brock Osweiler (202 yards, two TDs) went toe-to-toe with Rodgers for large parts - no easy feat - but the Texans have now lost three in a row. Not ideal preparation for their crunch divisional match-up against the Colts next week. Grade C-

Jacksonville Jaguars (L 20-10 v Denver)

The Jaguars somehow contrived to lose another game - their seventh straight - despite facing a rookie QB, starting his first NFL road game. It was Jacksonville's Blake Bortles, and not Paxton Lynch, who looked like the novice though - two interceptions, and a game-killing fumble late on. Grade D

Tennessee Titans - Bye

AFC East

New England Patriots (W 26-10 v Los Angeles)

Tom Brady became the NFL's career leader in victories by a quarterback, earning his 201st in throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown in a comfortable victory over the struggling Rams. Grade A

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Highlights of the New England Patriots' win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 of the NFL

Buffalo Bills (L 38-24 @ Oakland)

It looked as though the Bills would produce the upset of the week, leading by 15 points in the third quarter. Running back LeSean McCoy has 191 total yards and was the chief weapon for the first half, before the defence collapsed, allowing 29 unanswered points to practically extinguish the Bills' play-off hopes. Grade D

Miami Dolphins (L 38-6 @ Baltimore)

Entering this game on the back of six straight wins, a 32-point blowout is not what Dolphins fans would have expected. Three interceptions by Ryan Tannehill didn't help. Grade D-

New York Jets (L 41-10 v Indianapolis)

This was an abject performance from an organisation devoid of leadership. Neither Ryan Fitzpatrick or Bryce Petty proved their worth as the Jets' quarterback, in a game where the defence couldn't handle Andrew Luck's dynamic offence. Grade F

AFC West 

Kansas City Chiefs (W 29-28 @ Atlanta)

Kansas City triumphed in a tight contest in Atlanta thanks to some stellar defence by Eric Berry - who returned a pair of interceptions for a touchdown and a game-winning safety - and some gutsy play-calling, with a touchdown off a goal line fourth-down conversion, and another from 55 yards out off a fake puntGrade A

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Highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13 of the NFL

Oakland Raiders (W 38-24 v Buffalo) 

What a finish from the Raiders! Derek Carr has generated serious MVP buzz, and proved his legitimacy as he led the Raiders to 29 unanswered points. In a season when Defensive Player of the Year candidate Khalil Mack is making plays, everything is coming together for the AFC number one seed. Grade B+

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Highlights of the Oakland Raiders' victory over the Buffalo Bills. Highlights from NFL.com

Denver Broncos (W 20-10 @ Jacksonville)

The Broncos got just enough done to earn the 'W' on the road, keeping them competitive in the strong AFC West. Despite just 206 total yards on offence, Denver's championship defence helped them up to 20 points with a Bradley Roby pick-six. Grade B

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Highlights of the Denver Broncos' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 of the NFL

San Diego Chargers (L 28-21 v Tampa Bay)

It's been a roller coaster year for the Chargers, both on and off the field. As fans wait to hear whether the franchise will be leaving San Diego, the Chargers' 2016 play-off hopes disappeared with their seventh loss of the season. The defence failed to contain Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston and Philip Rivers threw two damaging interceptions to take the game away from the home side. Grade D

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