Players to Watch
Zach Ertz • TE • Philadelphia Eagles • Fifth season • @ZErtz_86
Normally, facing the Seahawks in Seattle spells bad news for pass catchers. With All-Pros Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor out for the season, Ertz has a rare opportunity to face a depleted Legion of Boom. Ertz's 55 catches ranks third among tight ends and his 639 yards ranks only behind Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski.
Blake Martinez • ILB • Green Bay Packers • Second season • @Big__Blake50
Martinez's breakout season rolled on with a performance to remember in Green Bay's narrow loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday night. He logged 15 tackles, including 12 solo and one for loss, recovered one fumble and made one interception. His 72 tackles rank third in the league, four behind All-Pro inside linebacker Bobby Wagner. Martinez faces a Tampa Bay team that ranks 22nd in the league in run blocking, according to Pro Football Focus.
Christian McCaffrey • RB • Carolina Panthers • First season • @run_cmc
Thomas returned from injury in San Francisco's Week 12 loss against Seattle. This week, he faces a Chicago offensive line which ranks 25th in the league in pass blocking efficiency (75.6 percent). Expect Thomas to draw plenty of attention from Pro Bowl guards Kyle Long and Josh Sitton.
Matchup to Watch
Panthers at Saints
The marquee matchup in Week 13, Carolina travels to take on New Orleans in a battle between two 8-3 teams. Christian McCaffrey's absurd 59 catches out of the backfield ranks 12th among all NFL players, and he comes off the biggest rushing output of the season in Week 12. On the other side of the ball, Coby Fleener and Andrus Peat helped New Orleans win eight in a row after a 0-2 start, and have fueled one of the top running games in the league. Fleener is doubtful with a concussion, but Peat is expected to play at left guard.
Injury Report
- Brennan Scarlett (foot) has not practiced this week after an injury on Monday Night Football. Scarlett had two tackles for loss up until that point in the game.
- Ty Montgomery (ribs/wrist) has been held out of practice this week.
- Christian McCaffrey returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session.
- Coby Fleener (concussion) is doubtful for Sunday's matchup against Carolina.
- Josh Mauro (ankle) missed practice on Thursday.
Week 13 Schedule
| Date | Time (PT)/TV Network | Matchup (Players) |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Vikings at Falcons (Hooper, Toilolo) |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Texans (Scarlett) at Titans |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Broncos at Dolphins (Thomas, M.) |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Buccaneers at Packers (Martinez, Montgomery) |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Patriots (Bademosi, Fleming, Richards) at Bills |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | 49ers (Thomas, S.) at Bears |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 1:05 p.m./CBS | Browns (Hogan) at Chargers |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 1:25 p.m./CBS | Panthers (McCaffrey) at Saints (Fleener, Peat) |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 1:25 p.m./FOX | Rams at Cardinals (Mauro) |
| Sunday, Dec. 3 | 5:30 p.m./NBC | Eagles (Ertz) at Seahawks (Baldwin) |
| Monday, Dec. 4 | 5:30 p.m./ESPN | Steelers (DeCastro) at Bengals (Hewitt) |