The race to the NFL Playoffs heats up in Week 13, with a host of crucial conference showdowns and the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals all in action LIVE on ESPN.
ESPN’s Week 13 coverage begins on Friday December 2 at 12.15pm AEDT as the Buffalo Bills lock horns with the New England Patriots.
An all AFC East conference clash between two sides firmly in the playoff race. All four AFC East franchises are currently in the playoff picture, but defeat can quickly see them fall into the growing logjam behind them and out of the post-season positions.
Buffalo remain strong at 8-3, and have recovered from recent blips to put together back to back wins in the last fortnight.
Meanwhile, New England could not match it with Minnesota in Week 12, falling 33-26, perhaps a litmus test to their playoff potential.
Monday sees four live games across ESPN and ESPN2, along with NFL RedZone live on the ESPN App*.
Kicking off the NFL marathon at 5am AEDT, live on ESPN, the Tennessee Titans meet the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Titans still maintain their grip on the AFC South conference, despite going down to the Bengals in Week 12.
Philadelphia lead the NFC East, having lost just one game this season and will be expected to continue its winning ways.
The Eagles survived a high scoring 40-33 affair with the Green Bay Packers last round, to push their record to 10-1 and maintain top of the NFC division.
Also at 5am AEDT, live on ESPN2, the Denver Broncos face off against the Baltimore Ravens.
It has been a season to forget for Denver, as they anchor the AFC West with a 3-8 record so far.
The challenges keep coming for the Broncos as the Baltimore Ravens loom next on the fixture list.
Baltimore will be steaming following a one-point loss to the Jaguars last round.
The defeat has meant that only percentage keeps them in the conference lead, with the Bengals now joining them at 7-4 going into Week 13.
Continuing the live action at 8.25am AEDT is the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, live on ESPN.
The Kansas City Chiefs remain the team to beat in the AFC, but the Bengals may just be timing their run to perfection.
Cincinnati are the defending AFC champions and are currently riding a three game win streak.
They defeated the Chiefs to claim the divisional title last season, and ended Kansas’ run one game shy of the Super Bowl.
Redemption is on the mind, in a true heavyweight showdown and the pick of the action in Week 13 NFL live on ESPN.
At 12.15pm AEDT, the Indianapolis Colts collide with the Dallas Cowboys, live on ESPN.
The Cowboys are on the charge and have four victories in the last five games.
Dallas have become one of the hottest offences in the NFL, and will prove a huge test for Indianapolis.
The Colts remain on the playoff bubble but are coming off a 24-17 loss to the Steelers last round.
ESPN’s Week 13 schedule concludes on Tuesday December 6 at 12.15pm AEDT with the New Orleans Saints clashing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Monday Night Football sees another conference clash with the Saints and Buccs both residing in the NFC South.
Coming into Week 13, the Buccs sit atop the conference at 5-6, with the Saints at the bottom with a record of 4-8.
Both are coming off defeat in Week 12, and although a playoff run for New Orleans looks unlikely, the Buccaneers need to start firing soon or they could join them watching the post-season on TV.
A disappointing overtime defeat to Cleveland is the latest setback for Tom Brady and the Buccs. They can’t afford to drop this one in Week 13.
Friday December 2
12.15pm AEDT, Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots, ESPN
Monday December 5
5am AEDT, Tennessee Titans vs Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN
5am AEDT, Denver Broncos vs Baltimore Ravens, ESPN2
5am AEDT, NFL RedZone, ESPN App*
8.25am AEDT, Kansas City Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals, ESPN
12.15pm AEDT, Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys, ESPN
Tuesday December 6
12.15pm AEDT, New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
*Streaming functionality on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.au is available to ESPN channel subscribers via Foxtel, Fetch TV and SKY NZ who enter their platform credentials. (Note: Kayo subscribers cannot stream via the ESPN App or ESPN.com.au). Download the ESPN App from the Apple and Android app stores.
Media Release – ESPN