NFL Week 13: 10 Stats That Nobody Expected

Week 13 was just like every other week of the NFL. Not that Kansas City, Seattle, Miami, Denver and Carolina have all won in the same week before this year—simply that we were blown away by what unfolded on the field.

I'm sure everybody predicted a fourth-quarter drive by Tim Tebow, and I'm sure everybody predicted a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

But just like always, there were just a few things that nobody expected, and here's ten of them now.

No. 10: Marshawn Lynch Comes Up Big

Lynch had a night to remember at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, as his 148 yards for two touchdowns all but ended the Eagles' chances of the playoffs.

While 148 isn't anywhere near the biggest numbers we've seen this year, you try doing it against the No. 2 ranked run defense in the league and see how many yards you put up.

No. 9: Oakland Was Terrible

After winning three in a row and taking the divisional lead, Oakland looked set to build upon its winning column against Miami.

Not to be.

Carson Palmer threw at less than 50 percent, they only managed 46 rushing yards all game and slumped back into a tie for the lead with Denver. While Miami were solid, the Raiders showed just how temperamental they can be.

No. 8. Kansas City Score a Touchdown

For most teams, scoring a touchdown is nothing to write home about. Not for the Kansas City Chiefs, who scored their first touchdown in their last 32 offensive possessions—and it had to come off a ridiculous Hail Mary play.

The Chiefs went on to beat the Chicago Bears—keeping them just three points—and their lowest score at home since they lost in 2003 against Tampa Bay.

No. 7: Pittsburgh Kicks It Up a Gear or Four

It was as if Christmas had come early for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they thrashed divisional rivals the Cincinnati Bengals by 28 points.

The real stat? Just the four touchdowns in the second quarter, which included three in five minutes.

Just your average day at the office for Big Ben.

No. 6: Christian Ponder Shows His Class

Christian Ponder threw for 381 yards and three touchdowns against the Denver Broncos, setting a franchise record for the highest single passing game by a rookie quarterback.

And if you included his 20-yard interception with 1:20 to go in the fourth quarter that all but sealed the win for Tim Tebow and the Broncos, that number would have been even higher.

No. 5: Eli Manning Steps Up, and Falls Short Again

You almost have to feel for the guy.

Eli Manning—now on a four-game losing streak—set a team record with six games of over 300 passing yards in a season and went for 347 and three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers.

It wasn't enough though, as a last-second field goal took the Packers to 12-0 and made it 18 straight wins now for the team—the second-longest win streak in NFL history.

No. 4: Rob Catch. Rob Score. Rob Spike. Rob Happy.

Three touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts saw Rob Gronkowski set the NFL record for the most touchdowns by a tight-end in a season.

Oh yeah, and he did it with four games to go.

Kind of helps though when your quarterback is Tom Brady, who threw for 289 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Still, well done to the big man.

No. 3: Houston Texans and Their Musical QBs

Houston became the first team since the Tennessee Titans in 2003 to win three straight games with three different starting quarterbacks.

All credit to T.J. Yates, who threw for 188 yards and a touchdown, as the Texans took down the Atlanta Falcons and kept their lead in the division.

No. 2: Tebow

Many probably expected Tim Tebow to stage a fourth-quarter comeback and take his team to 7-5 against Minnesota—that's what Tebowmania is all about.

They probably didn't him to expect him to do it with 202 passing yards and two touchdowns, though.

And people still say he's not a real quarterback.

No. 1: Cam Newton Shines Again

Cam Newton led the Carolina Panthers to a big win over Tampa Bay, throwing for over 200 yards and a touchdown. And in case you missed it, he ran in three touchdowns and now leads the league in rushing touchdowns.

Yep, the entire league.

The Panthers won't be there in the playoffs, but Cam has them poised to be a serious threat next year, and should feel robbed if he is not named Rookie of the Year.