Week 13 NFL players to watch: Expect ex-Steeler and two other RBs to dominate

Week 13 is off to a roaring start after Dallas’s 41-35 win over Seattle on Thursday. Here are five players to watch Sunday, including three running backs with plenty to prove:

SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Broncos WR Courtland Sutton stays hot

The sixth-year wide receiver for the Broncos (6-5) has a knack for finding the end zone, scoring a touchdown in eight of the team’s 11 games. 

“He’s got strong hands in traffic, there’s a confidence level between he and [quarterback Russell Wilson],” Denver head coach Sean Payton said, per ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold. “He’s a big target, he’s a great teammate, this guy’s something.”

Look for Sutton to score again on the road against the Texans (6-5), who have allowed the fourth-most points per game (25.5) and sixth-most passing yards per game (252.5). 

SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Arizona’s James Conner has big game in return to Steel City

Conner, a third-round pick by the Steelers in 2017, gets his first crack at his former team in the city where he starred in college at Pitt. The seventh-year running back totaled 2,302 rushing yards during his four seasons (2017-20) with the Steelers (7-4), who allowed him to leave in free agency.

It won’t be easy for the Cardinals (2-10) — a heavy road underdog, per oddschecker — but there’s always something about a revenge game that can make things interesting. “We can’t allow James Conner to do what James does,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, per NFL.com. 

Expect Conner to excel against Pittsburgh’s 21st-ranked run defense (118.4 YPG), but a win seems out of the question for Arizona.

SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Bijan Robinson keeps Falcons atop terrible NFC South

The Falcons (5-6) are atop the division with six games left in the regular season, so it’s the perfect time to lean on the No. 8 overall pick. Over the past two games, the talented rookie has rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns and added 43 yards receiving and another TD. Robinson is set up for a big day on the road against the Jets (4-7), who have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (140.3) in the league.

SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Bryce Young proves Panthers owner right

Earlier this week, Panthers owner David Tepper doubled down on the decision to draft Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, saying, “We are totally confident in that pick.” Young is off to a terrible start, throwing for just 1,877 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions for the league’s worst team (1-10).  

Although the Panthers probably won’t win, Young may have the best game of his career against floundering Tampa Bay (4-7), which has allowed the second-most passing yards per game (267.8).

SUNDAY’S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Derrick Henry reclaims “King” status

The last-place Titans (4-7) have fallen far off the pace in the AFC South. A big reason is the lack of dominance from “King Henry,” Tennessee’s 6-foot-3, 247-pound running back. The two-time NFL rushing yards leader has just two games with 100+ rushing yards this season. Henry, however, has a good chance to make it three games at home against the Colts (6-5), who have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards per game (129.3).