
Some NFL coaches, quarterbacks and referees looked like they were still on Thanksgiving break on Sunday. Here are the five worst performances of Week 13.
The Colts learned a valuable but painful lesson in their 20-16 loss to the Texans. As difficult as it is to win in the NFL, it's even harder when the officiating is one-sided.
The crew, led by head referee Clay Martin, had one particularly awful sequence during the fourth quarter with the Texans on offense.
On one play alone — a 3rd-and-15 from the Colts' 25-yard line — officials missed a delay of game against Houston and called a phantom defensive pass interference on Colts cornerback Kenny Moore, extending the drive that ended with a touchdown and controversial successful extra point attempt.
Ka'imi Fairbairn's attempt appeared to cross wide of the left upright, but officials deemed the try successful, giving the Texans a 20-13 lead.
The incomparable @GeneSteratore breaks down the XP in Indy pic.twitter.com/KFu2Tgtlzh
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) November 30, 2025
Had officials ruled the kick no good, Indianapolis would have had a chance to tie the game with a field goal on its final drive. Instead, the Colts were forced to try to convert a 4th-and-9 from Houston's 31-yard line on their final play.
Martin didn't offer any satisfactory answers afterward, instead justifying the obvious mistakes.
Texans-Colts pool report with referee Clay Martin: pic.twitter.com/WDZLcsbCzT
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) November 30, 2025
Houston's excellent defensive effort holding the high-scoring Colts offense to a season-low in points should be the biggest story from Sunday's AFC South showdown. Instead, refs created a stain impossible to ignore.
At least J.J. McCarthy doesn't have to worry about Bosmer taking his job. The undrafted free agent made his first NFL start in place of an injured McCarthy (concussion) and had a nightmare performance against the Seattle Seahawks in a 26-0 loss, the Vikings' first shutout defeat since 2007 and eighth in franchise history. (h/t Stathead)
Bosmer was 19-of-30 for 126 yards and four interceptions while also losing 30 yards on four sacks. His worst throw came in the red zone while the game was still competitive, when he avoided a sack with an awkward throwaway and was intercepted by Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones, who returned the pick-six 84 yards.
ERNEST JONES 84-YARD PICK-SIX
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
MINvsSEA on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/VA6dvef6w6
A leading MVP candidate, Stafford had his worst game of the season in an upset 31-28 loss at the Carolina Panthers (7-6).
Earlier in the game, he extended his record of touchdowns without an interception to 28 before regressing to the mean.
Matthew Stafford's interception ends a run of 28 consecutive TD passes without an interception, passing Tom Brady’s 25 straight in 2010.
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 30, 2025
The streak stands as the longest INT-free TD streak on record since play-by-play data began in 1978 pic.twitter.com/vd0ScPU2J6
Stafford's first pick wasn't his fault, but it was costly nonetheless. The 17-year veteran's red-zone pass on a 3rd-and-6 was tipped and intercepted in the end zone, taking at least three points off the board.
Deflected and picked by Nick Scott! Stafford’s 1st INT in 10 weeks.
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/mThD1VjJYF
Four plays from scrimmage later, Stafford forced a throw to wideout Puka Nacua into a tight window, and Panthers corner Mike Jackson picked the pass and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown.
Mike Jackson intercepts Matthew Stafford for a Pick-6!
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/J2yeGsyNZK
Stafford also lost a fumble while being sacked late in the fourth quarter, keeping the Rams from attempting a tying field goal.
Derrick Brown makes a play and the Panthers take it away from Stafford!
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/oHilV4iwZA
As much praise as Stafford has rightfully received for his incredible season, he deserves criticism when things don't go as well. But everyone has rough games. The Rams just need Stafford's to be a one-off.
Stefanski made some confounding decisions in a 26-8 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers (9-4), dropping the Browns to 3-9.
Trailing 10-8 midway through the third quarter, Stefanski rolled the dice, keeping the offense on the field facing a 4th-and-1 from Cleveland's 33-yard line. He added unnecessary risk putting rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. under center for a potential QB sneak, but the Browns muffed the snap and San Fransisco took possession. The 49ers converted the short field into a touchdown nine plays later.
The 49ers crush another 36-yarder. But the #Browns get cute on 4th down down and fumble it back.
— Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) November 30, 2025
Forcing the Browns' offense to execute is a recipe for success for the 49ers. #49ers need to put this ball in the end zone. No excuses. Niners up 10-8. pic.twitter.com/yWsPMO34Fu
Afterward, Stefanski discussed the questionable play and said he "felt good about the call."
Stefanski on why the call was a Fannin QB sneak instead of the Wildcat or normal jumbo package.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) November 30, 2025
"Felt good about the call. Didn't get it done." https://t.co/Zgr9AhYNmI
But that's not all, folks. Stefanski also used the game — rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders' second career start — as a chance to experiment with his offensive line, rotating Wyatt Teller and Teven Jenkins at right guard.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he rotated Wyatt Teller with Teven Jenkins at RG because he “wanted to see Teven in this game.”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) November 30, 2025
Teller said in the postgame locker room that coaches told him earlier in the week there would be a rotation.
There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to Stefanski's decisions — just a head coach biding time until he's given the pink slip.
If Steelers fans turned off Sunday's game against the Bills at halftime, they likely had a lovely afternoon. Anyone watching the whole 60 minutes might need another television after throwing out theirs.
Pittsburgh expeditiously watched a 7-3 halftime lead go up in smoke on the first play from scrimmage of the second half, a sack-fumble on quarterback Aaron Rodgers created by Joey Bosa and returned for a touchdown by defensive back Christian Benford.
Joey Bosa forced it. Christian Benford scooped and scored it. Bills lead.
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
BUFvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/rM7SyaQJ0O
Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph was briefly forced into action after that hit and threw an interception on his second pass attempt, setting up another Bills touchdown.
Fumble return for a TD on one drive. INT on the next.
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
Christian Benford is feeling it right now
BUFvsPIT on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/VFdAPXOl4r
Outside of one 57-yard drive that ended with a turnover on downs, the Steelers gained 21 yards on 11 second-half plays as they failed to regain lead of the AFC North before next Sunday's first of two regular season games with the rival Baltimore Ravens (6-6).
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