by Week 13 marks the unofficial start of the NFL’s final playoff push, and the Week 13 NFL Schedule is loaded with high-stakes games, holiday traditions, and must-watch divisional matchups. Falling over the extended Thanksgiving weekend, this slate of games not only provides fantastic viewing but also features clashes that will significantly impact the AFC and NFC playoff pictures.
From the traditional Thursday triple-header to crucial Sunday afternoon battles, every fan needs a full breakdown of the Week 13 NFL Schedule to plan their viewing.
š¦ The Blockbuster Thanksgiving Triple-Header
The center of gravity for the Week 13 NFL Schedule is, as always, the Thanksgiving triple-header. The day kicks off with a classic NFC North rivalry as the Green Bay Packers visit the Detroit Lions at 12:30 PM ET (FOX). This is followed by an interconference blockbuster where the Kansas City Chiefs travel to face the Dallas Cowboys at 4:30 PM ET (CBS), a perennial heavyweight matchup.
The nightcap brings a vital AFC North showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 PM ET (NBC), concluding the main Thanksgiving portion of the Week 13 NFL Schedule with huge divisional implications for both teams’ Super Bowl hopes.
š The Black Friday and Prime Time Showdowns
The action doesn’t slow down after Thursday, as the Week 13 NFL Schedule features the increasingly popular Black Friday game, a vital East Coast clash. On Friday, the Chicago Bears take on the Philadelphia Eagles at 3:00 PM ET (Amazon Prime Video), offering fans a perfect afternoon viewing option during the holiday.
Following Sunday’s full slate, the primetime slot for the Week 13 NFL Schedule is reserved for the Denver Broncos at the Washington Commanders at 8:20 PM ET (NBC), featuring two teams battling for a Wild Card spot. Finally, Monday Night Football wraps up the week with a historic rivalry, pitting the New York Giants against the New England Patriots at 8:15 PM ET (ESPN).
āļø Key Sunday Divisional and Conference Battles
Sunday’s slate of games on the Week 13 NFL Schedule is packed with matchups that will shape the middle of the playoff seedings. In the early 1:00 PM ET window, the AFC South features a critical divisional clash when the Houston Texans visit the Indianapolis Colts (CBS), a game likely to decide who leads the division. Another important contest for the Week 13 NFL Schedule is the NFC North/AFC North crossover, as the San Francisco 49ers head to Cleveland to face the Browns (CBS), a test of two elite defenses.
The 4:25 PM ET window also delivers a potential playoff preview with the Buffalo Bills visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers (CBS), a classic AFC rivalry with huge implications for both teams’ Wild Card aspirations.
š Other Crucial Kickoff Times and Playoff Implications
Beyond the headliners, several other games on the Week 13 NFL Schedule carry significant playoff weight, particularly in tight divisions. At 1:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins (FOX) is a key interconference game where both teams need a win to maintain their leads in the NFC South and AFC East, respectively.
In the late afternoon, the 4:05 PM ET game between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks (FOX) is a classic NFC showdown, with both franchises fighting for a Wild Card spot in the deep NFC bracket. Every contest in the comprehensive Week 13 NFL Schedule offers teams the chance to solidify their position or make up ground with only a few weeks left in the 2025 season.
