🐺 Wolf Sports Weekly

Winter is here. December football begins…

🦃 Thanksgiving football recap

Perhaps the most exciting Thanksgiving slate in recent history began with the Packers getting a massive NFC North win over the Lions, 31-24, in a game that included some controversial officiating. Detroit was impacted by WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) leaving in the first quarter, but WR Jameson Williams (7/144/1 line) stepping up wasn’t enough as Packers QB Jordan Love threw for four TDs. Green Bay now sits at 8-3-1, while the Lions are 7-5 and currently out of playoff position.

The second game on Thanksgiving was a thriller between Kansas City and Dallas—with the Cowboys coming out on top, 31-28, in a game that has them looking like a legitimate contender (if they can find their way into the postseason). WR CeeDee Lamb starred with seven receptions for 112 yards and a TD, and QB Dak Prescott was able to outduel QB Patrick Mahomes (despite four TD passes for KC’s quarterback).

On Thanksgiving Night, Bengals QB Joe Burrow returned and helped lead a 32-14 win over the Ravens to essentially keep Cincinnati’s season alive. Burrow understandably had a bit of rust to begin the game, but he found his groove (261 yards and two TDs) with the Bengals playing very well on defense for what turned into a rout. Baltimore didn’t give RB Derrick Henry the ball close to enough (11 touches for 104 yards and a TD), and QB Lamar Jackson struggled again with three turnovers—but Cincy is now 8-0 in the last eight starts for Burrow dating back to last season.

The excitement of the holiday slate carried over to Black Friday, as the Bears upset the Eagles with a statement win, 24-15, powered by RB D’Andre Swift (18 carries for 125 yards and a TD) and RB Kyle Monangai (22 carries for 130 yards and a TD) becoming the first Chicago teammates since 1985 to each have 100+ rushing yards in a game. In the postgame celebration, HC Ben Johnson went shirtless to get free hot dogs from The Wieners Circle for the city of Chicago.

Other Week 13 results:

• Texans 20, Colts 16: In QB C.J. Stroud’s return from a three-game absence due to a concussion, Houston extended their winning streak to four games in a very close AFC South battle—though it was unfortunately another matchup impacted by questionable officiating.

• Bills 26, Steelers 7: A chippy slugfest turned into a one-sided affair with Buffalo riding RB James Cook (32 carries for 144 yards) on their way to an opponent record 249 rushing yards at Acrisure Stadium.

• Panthers 31, Rams 28: The Panthers pulled off the upset of the weekend by knocking off the Rams with a balanced offense and opportunistic defense—including a pick-six by CB Mike Jackson.

• Broncos 27, Commanders 26 (OT, SNF): In an absolute thriller to close out Sunday’s action, Denver made a defensive stop on a two-point conversion in overtime, and QB Bo Nix flashed his high-end ability.

• Seahawks 26, Vikings 0: QB Sam Darnold picked up a win versus his former team, with Minnesota turning to undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer—which did not go well (four INTs and a pick-six by LB Ernest Jones IV).

• Patriots 33, Giants 15 (MNF): Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart felt limited in his return, and New England played another all-around game that included a 94-yard PR TD by Marcus Jones.

• 49ers 26, Browns 8: San Francisco won for the first time in Cleveland since 1984, as QB Brock Purdy (two total TDs) bounced back from a shaky performance and the defense limited Browns QB Shedeur Sanders in his first home start.

• Dolphins 21, Saints 17: The Dolphins got started early with RB De’Von Achane coasting for a TD, and they held on to win their third game in a row after New Orleans nearly recovered an onside kick in a comeback attempt.

• Jaguars 25, Titans 3: Jacksonville has also won three games in a row, and that combined with Indianapolis losing now has the Jags atop a crowded AFC South.

• Buccaneers 20, Cardinals 17: Appearing in his first game since Week 4, Bucs RB Bucky Irving (19 touches) operated as the clear lead back and found the end zone in a game that was lower scoring than expected.

• Chargers 31, Raiders 14: A change in offensive coordinator didn’t lead to any improvement for the Raiders—who were eliminated from playoff contention and struggled to move the ball with Chargers S Tony Jefferson being part of a highlight INT.

• Jets 27, Falcons 21: The very slim playoff hopes for Atlanta were dashed by Jets K Nick Folk hitting a game-winning FG as time expired—and the playoff-hopeful Falcons are now 4-8.

🤕 More headlining injury news

Perhaps the biggest injury news of the past week was four-time Pro Bowl C Frank Ragnow failing his physical due to a Grade 3 hamstring strain, which was discovered after he announced he was coming out of retirement to rejoin the Lions. Detroit getting Ragnow back in the middle of the offensive line would have been a huge boost, and HC Dan Campbell says the team didn’t discuss Ragnow possibly returning in 2026.

The Lions also lost CB Terrion Arnold for the year due to a shoulder injury.

The Colts were the team hit hardest by key injuries recently, as QB Daniel Jones is playing through a fractured fibula—proving again to be one of the toughest players in the NFL. And on Sunday, star CB Sauce Gardner suffered a calf strain early in the loss to Houston that now leaves him week-to-week with hope he will return at some point in the regular season. But Indy now has work to do in order to make the postseason despite a 7-1 start.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert is another signal-caller who will attempt to play with a serious injury, as a fractured left hand suffered in the win over Las Vegas is something he intends to play through next Monday night versus the Eagles. Herbert underwent surgery yesterday.

Thanksgiving injuries: Packers DL Devonte Wyatt is likely done for the season after suffering a fractured ankle, and Chiefs OT Josh Simmons is out indefinitely with a fractured and dislocated wrist—which he’s seeking a second opinion for.

Season-ending injuries to AFC North players include Steelers OT Broderick Jones (neck) with the injury being more serious than originally thought, and Browns DT Maliek Collins (quad) after being carted off on Sunday. Also, the Bills placed WR Curtis Samuel (elbow) on injured reserve.

📰 More NFL news and notes

The Broncos took care of their own in the trenches over the bye week, extending C Luke Wattenberg on a four-year, $48 million deal, and locking up DL Malcolm Roach with a three-year, $29.25 extension.

We also saw a bunch of veteran transactions over the past week, including:

• WR Brandin Cooks signing with the Bills and starting in his team debut. WR Elijah Moore was released as Buffalo remakes the room on the fly.

• Seattle moves: RB Cam Akers signing to the 53-man roster and S Quandre Diggs joining the practice squad.

• LB Isaiah Simmons signing with the Panthers after he was a star at in-state Clemson.

• Former first-round CB Kaiir Elam heading to the Titans after being released by the Cowboys.

• LB Eric Kendricks being signed to the 49ers practice squad.

• CB Derion Kendrick getting claimed by the Rams (where he began his career) after being waived by Seattle.

• And after being inactive on Sunday, the Vikings waived WR Adam Thielen at his request—with the hopes of joining a contender in what will be his final season.

Perhaps feeling bold in revealing it after beating the Chiefs on Thanksgiving, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he offered DE Micah Parsons and a first-round pick to the Jets for DL Quinnen Williams in the offseason—saying he “thought that much of Williams.”

The NFL is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States in the 2026 NFL season, including a special football to honor the country’s birthday.

Semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 are headlined by QB Drew Brees and WR Larry Fitzgerald in their first year of eligibility.

The 32 nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award were also revealed last week.

Other Sports Updates

🏈 Conference championships are now set in college football with last week’s action being highlighted by No. 17 Texas knocking off No. 3 Texas A&M on Friday night, and No. 1 Ohio State beating rival No. 15 Michigan for the first time since 2019.

🐯The Lane Kiffin saga has concluded with the former Ole Miss HC joining LSU—and he will not coach the Rebels in the College Football Playoff.

🏫 The other big move in the CFB coaching ranks this week was Florida hiring Tulane’s Jon Sumrall as head coach. Plus, Stanford landed Tavita Pritchard, former Northwestern HC Pat Fitzgerald will lead Michigan State, and Hall of Fame RB Marshall Faulk was hired by Southern University.

⚾️ MLB are pitchers on the move with the Red Sox acquiring Sonny Gray, and the AL champion Blue Jays signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal.

🐺 Found on wolfsports.com

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• Week 14 Rest-of-Season Rankings (🔒)

• Week 13 Fantasy Football Awards

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