NFL Week 13: 5 Things We Learned

Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers were the stars of the big games this week.

With four weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture still keeps changing.

The Chicago Bears seemed to be a lock, but now are not. The Broncos were dead, but now are alive. The Dallas Cowboys had a chance to secure their division with a win over a losing team, but they did not. The New York Giants needed a big upset to stop their losing streak, and they came very close.

So with all these happenings, what are the top five things we learned this week?

The Green Bay Packers Will Finish 16-0

There's always that one close game that usually keeps a team from having a perfect season. Today the Green Bay Packers had that one close game and came away still undefeated.

Aaron Rodgers engineered a shortened version of the two-minute drill to put Mason Crosby in good position to kick the winning field goal with three seconds left on the clock. This sent the New York Giants, who matched the Packers score-for-score up until the last one, to their fourth straight defeat.

Three of the Packers last four games are at home. The one away game is with the Kansas City Chiefs. Barring an injury to Rodgers, there would not seem to be any obstacles left to the perfect 16-0 regular season.

The Chicago Bears Are in Big Trouble

The recent slide of the Detroit Lions appeared to have left the door open for the Chicago Bears to make the playoffs. However, things changed dramatically this week. Not only did the Bears lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, but Matt Forte suffered a knee injury. Backup Caleb Hanie threw three interceptions for the second consecutive game.

The Bears play three of their last four games on the road. The next game is against the streaking Denver Broncos. Their one home game is against the Seahawks, who have suddenly won three of their last four games.

The Bears' playoff chances have taken a big hit. They will need some help to make it this year.

Tim Tebow and the Broncos Are for Real

Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos to their fourth consecutive road victory and fifth overall win in a row.

Tebow passed for two touchdowns and ran in a two-point conversion. He threw for over 200 yards without an interception, which gave him a quarterback rating just under 150.

Matt Prater won the game with a field goal as time expired.

Who would have thought when they were 1-4 that the Denver Broncos could win the AFC West? Well, after their win today and the Raiders' loss to the Dolphins, the Broncos are tied for first place.

They have three of their last four games at home. Their next game is against the reeling Chicago Bears. So you'd have to make them the favorite to win their division, which would be a remarkable in-season turnaround.

It's December, so the Cowboys Lose

Perhaps, a logical explanation will evolve this week. But for now, the question is: why do you try to ice your own kicker getting ready to kick the game-winning field goal?

Whether it's things like this or Tony Romo dropping a snap for a field goal, the Dallas Cowboys seem to find unique ways to lose in December.

With the Giants losing to the Packers, the Cowboys could have given themselves a little cushion in the NFC East today. But they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

They probably could still win the NFC East just by splitting their two games with the Giants. However, that might not be easy if the Giants continue to play the way they did today, matching score-for-score with the Packers.

DeSean Jackson Will Not Be Back with the Eagles Next Year

You miss a team meeting, you get benched, you sulk about your contract, you pull up while making a catch to avoid a hit, and then, you ignore your quarterback when he wants to talk to you on the sidelines during a game.

Does DeSean Jackson really think the Philadelphia Eagles are going to give him a big contract extension? Forget it! The team gave him a chance to prove what he's worth, and he has done so. He will be playing for another team next year.

Two touchdowns in 12 games does not cut it for a supposedly elite player. You can tell that Andy Reid is already in trade mode when he takes such great lengths to try to convince the media that Jackson is playing hard.

Sure Andy, what games are you watching?