NFL Week 13 Preview: Can Aaron Rodgers Lead The Packers to Elite Status?

Like the band U2 , we still haven't found what we're looking for . The New England Patriots proved to be no match for the New Orleans Saints, who have now been crowned as the best team in the league atop our NFL Power Rankings. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts kept pace and reached 11-0.

We highly doubt the Saints trip up against the Washington Redskins this week, removing them from our "Five Things" column for the first time in weeks, but we're still keeping our eye out for a possible Indy loss.

Read on for Week 13 's Five Things to Watch For:

5. Which AFC South Team Will Finally Step Up?

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Much like the Jets/Bills match-up, these two teams are facing a do-or-die game, in which the loser is almost certainly out of the playoff picture. The Texans were standing at 5-4 and looked to be well on their way to a wild card spot, but have now dropped two straight, while the Jaguars ran into a desperate 49ers team last week and simply didn't show up.

We'll give the Texans a mulligan for losing to the still undefeated Colts, and considering how weak the Jaguars overall defense is, we like their chances to get back to .500.

Texans 34, Jaguars 24

4. Can the Giants Regroup and Stay in the Race for the NFC East?

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

This is a huge game with a lot of playoff repercussions hanging onto it. Already owning the series lead this season, a win from the 6-5 Giants would propel them to being just one game back from the division lead, and if they can finish with the same record as the Cowboys, they could take the division.

With the Eagles right behind the Cowboys, they can ill afford to lose this game. Despite Eli Manning not being a recommended start this week, this writer is banking on a very tight race in the unpredictable NFC East.

Giants 24, Cowboys 20

3. Can the Packers Finally Put Themselves Among the Elite?

Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers

People aren't giving the Baltimore Ravens the credit they deserve. They've been playing great football for most of every game they've played this season, but have succumbed to kicker troubles and a few bad plays to end games.

If things had gone differently, this 6-5 squad could easily have victories over the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots, in addition to owning victories over the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The story is much the same for the Green Bay Packers, but with little help from Ryan Grant and the ground attack against a stout Baltimore run defense, Aaron Rodgers will have to play at the top of his game to keep his team in the playoff hunt.

Ravens 27, Packers 23

For the top two things to watch for in Week 13 , go here .