Big Man Touchdowns, Tight End Troubles, and a Wild Week 13 Across the NFL
Week 13 brought us one of football’s greatest rarities: a big man touchdown. And not just any big man - we’re talking about one of the league’s premier tackles making a splash in the end zone. Let’s break it all down, from linemen scoring to tight ends grinding through quarterback chaos, and check in on some key NFL contributors as the playoff picture starts to take shape.
Tristan Wirfs: A Tackle and a Touchdown
If you’re building a list of the most reliable offensive linemen in the league this season, Tristan Wirfs belongs near the top. The sixth-year pro has only allowed two sacks all season, and while Pro Football Focus has him ranked 10th among tackles, you could make a strong case that he deserves even more love.
But this week, Wirfs did something that doesn’t show up in the usual O-line metrics - he caught a touchdown. Yes, you read that right.
In Tampa Bay’s 20-17 win over Arizona, Wirfs hauled in his first career touchdown reception, becoming the first offensive lineman to score that way in the NFL this season. It’s also the first time a Buccaneers lineman has caught a touchdown since 2017.
After the game, Wirfs shared that it was his first time reaching the end zone since high school, when he returned a blocked punt for a score at Mount Vernon. That’s a long time between touchdowns, but the big man made it count.
Also contributing in that win was edge rusher Anthony Nelson, who added four tackles as the Bucs improved to 7-5. They’re clinging to first place in the NFC South, just ahead of Carolina - and with two matchups still to come between those teams in the final three weeks, the division is far from settled. Buckle up.
Tight Ends: Hockenson Battles On, Kittle Steady, Fant Quiet
Let’s talk tight ends, starting with a guy who’s doing everything he can to keep his offense afloat: T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings’ quarterback situation has gone from shaky to downright dire, and Hockenson is bearing the brunt of it.
Last week, J.J. McCarthy posted a QBR of 34.2.
This week, Max Brosmer - yes, the former Gopher - stepped in and somehow managed an even lower 32.8. Despite that, Hockenson still managed to pull in six catches for 59 yards.
He was essentially the Vikings’ only consistent offensive weapon in a 4-8 team that got shut out in Seattle. It’s tough sledding in Minnesota right now, and Hockenson’s doing his best to carry the load.
Meanwhile, George Kittle continues to be a steady force in San Francisco’s offense. In a 26-8 win over Cleveland, Kittle grabbed four passes for 57 yards.
The 49ers are now 8-4, just one game behind both Seattle and Los Angeles in a tight NFC West race. Kittle’s role might not always light up the stat sheet, but his presence is pivotal in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, especially in big games down the stretch.
Noah Fant had a quiet Thanksgiving night, logging just one catch for three yards in the Bengals’ 32-14 win over Baltimore. The bigger surprise?
Joe Burrow was back under center. After missing time, Burrow’s return gives Cincinnati a much-needed boost as they try to stay in the AFC playoff hunt.
Iowa Alums Making Noise Across the League
Let’s check in on a few more familiar names from the Iowa pipeline who made their presence felt in Week 13.
Jack Campbell had a strong outing for Detroit, racking up nine tackles in the Lions’ 31-24 Thanksgiving Day loss to Green Bay. The rookie linebacker continues to show growth week by week, and his instincts are starting to catch up to his athleticism.
Kristian Welch also got on the stat sheet with a tackle for the Packers, who moved to 8-3-1 and are very much in the thick of the NFC playoff race.
Over in Cincinnati’s win, Geno Stone chipped in with four tackles, continuing his solid season as a contributor in the Bengals’ secondary.
Tory Taylor, the punter out of Iowa, had a busy day for the Bears, booting three punts for 121 yards in Chicago’s 24-15 win over the defending champs. The Bears are now 9-3, sitting atop the NFC North and - at least for now - holding the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
They’ve got a massive divisional showdown in Green Bay next Sunday, followed by a return matchup in Week 16 at Soldier Field. Circle those dates.
Riley Moss and the Broncos Keep Rolling
Riley Moss had himself a game for Denver, even if the box score doesn’t tell the full story. The rookie corner finished with four tackles and two passes defended in the Broncos’ dramatic 27-26 overtime win in Washington.
Yes, he gave up a crucial reception to Deebo Samuel in OT, and yes, he was on the wrong end of a highlight-reel one-handed touchdown catch. But overall, Moss held his own and showed the kind of resilience coaches love to see in young corners. Sometimes you get Moss’d - literally - and all you can do is line up and play the next snap.
With the win, the Broncos are now 10-2, just a half-game behind New England in the AFC standings. It’s been a remarkable season for Denver, and Moss is growing into a key piece of their secondary rotation.
The Stretch Run Begins
With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to crystallize - but there’s still plenty of chaos left to come. Divisional matchups, quarterback questions, and yes, even offensive linemen catching touchdowns are all part of the ride.
As we head into the final month, one thing’s for sure: Week 13 gave us a little bit of everything. And if this is the appetizer, the main course in December is going to be something else.