With six weeks to go, the teams of the East look absolutely transformed. Not long ago, the NFC and AFC East divisions were only sending one team to the playoffs — the division champion. Today, these two division titles are far from settled, and the entire NFL has been turned upside down by their dominance. 
 
The meteoric rise of the Eagles (10-1), coupled with the continued outperformance by the Cowboys (8-3), have obscured the advancement by the feisty Giants and Commanders, who both have seven wins.  All four teams are winning by playing sound fundamental football — leaning mostly on the run offensively and playing consistently tough defense.
 
In the AFC East, the Dolphins and Bills (both 8-3) are taking a different path — scoring like fireworks. The Jets (7-4) and Patriots (6-5) are adequate offensively but much stronger on the defensive side of the ball. 
 
The Vikings (9-2) look like a lock to win the NFC North, the Titans (7-4) are far in front in the AFC South, and the Chiefs (9-2) are firmly in control of the AFC West. In the AFC North, it looks like a two-horse race now — the Ravens or the Bengals (each 7-4). But in the NFC South and West, the battle is just beginning — all division rivals are but a game or two apart. 
 
My Game of the Week for Week 13 is the division-leading Titans vs. the Eagles.  Just as big is that Chiefs-Bengals showdown, possibly determining playoff positioning in the AFC. And those are far from the only intriguing matchups. Thursday night, the Bills and Patriots kick off the weekend excitement with an AFC East divisional brawl. Then, on Sunday, the NFC East showcases those upstart Giants and Commanders. 
 
The only great inter-conference matchup of the weekend is the rejuvenated 49ers vs. those high-energy Dolphins. Too bad that is not the Sunday night game.
 
Last week, my picks went 8-8.  Here are all the Week 13 matches — and my picks.
 
1.     Bills                 at Patriots        Patriots                       TNF
2.     Steelers           at Falcons         Falcons
3.     Broncos           at Ravens         Ravens
4.     Packers            at Bears           Packers
5.     Jaguars            at Lions            Lions
6.     Browns             at Texans         Browns
7.     Jets                  at Vikings        Vikings
8.     Commanders    at Giants          Commanders
9.     Titans              at Eagles          Eagles
10.  Seahawks          at Rams           Seahawks
11.  Dolphins            at 49ers           49ers
12.  Chiefs               at Bengals        Bengals
13.  Chargers           at Raiders         Raiders
14.  Colts                 at Cowboys      Cowboys                      SNF
15.  Saints               at Bucs            Bucs                            MNF
 
Two teams have byes this week: Cardinals and Panthers.
 
December is the month when we football fans see rising stars — as the best raise their game to playoff caliber. It should be quite a sight.