Detroit Lions
Atlanta Falcons
Kickoff: 1:00 PM
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match Facts
- League
- National Football League
- Week
- Week 13
- Date
- 12/06/2026
- Venue
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Sunday, December 6, and the Falcons and the Lions pull into Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a Week 13 NFC meeting in Atlanta. Atlanta went 8-9 last season, good for third in the NFC South, while Detroit finished 9-8 and took fourth in the NFC North. Both clubs are built to move the ball, and this one shapes up as a lively afternoon under the Atlanta roof.
Detroit out-scored Atlanta 481 to 353 last season and threw for 4,303 yards against the Falcons’ 3,523, and that passing gap is the biggest number on the page for this Week 13 meeting.
Last season’s form
Atlanta went 8-9 in 2025/26, finishing third in the NFC South with 353 points scored. The Falcons dropped a 37-9 decision in Seattle on December 7, then closed the season with four straight wins – over Tampa Bay, Arizona, the Rams and New Orleans – to lock in a winning finish. The Lions posted a 9-8 record and fourth place in the NFC North, piling up 481 points. Detroit opened December with a 44-30 win at Dallas, lost three in a row to the Rams, Pittsburgh and Minnesota, then beat the Bears 19-16 in the finale.
Offense vs defense
The Lions’ passing game carried the numbers a year ago – 4,303 yards and 35 passing touchdowns against Atlanta’s 3,523 yards and 19. The rushing attack was a closer contest, with the Falcons putting up 2,138 yards and 17 touchdowns to Detroit’s 2,041 yards and 21. Atlanta’s defense piled up 57 sacks while the Lions managed 49, and Detroit allowed fewer rushing yards (1,650 to 1,857). Both clubs gave up more than 3,000 passing yards, and turnovers were nearly even at 18 for the Falcons and 15 for the Lions.
Head-to-head history
There is no head-to-head history between the Falcons and the Lions, so December 6 marks a first meeting between these two NFC clubs. With nothing from the past to draw on, last season’s closing stretches and each team’s approach are the only guides for how this Week 13 game plays out.
Week 13 in Atlanta
This one lands under the closed roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, December 6, with the Falcons at home and the Lions in town as guests. Both teams step into a fresh NFL season carrying last year’s lessons, and each will be looking to stack wins early. Two clubs that like to push the ball downfield and pressure the quarterback – a full afternoon is on the menu.
When and where do the Falcons and Lions play?
The two meet on Sunday, December 6, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for a Week 13 NFL matchup, with the Falcons as the home team.
What were the Falcons’ and Lions’ records last season?
Atlanta finished 8-9 and third in the NFC South. Detroit went 9-8 and took fourth in the NFC North.
Which division does each team play in?
The Falcons play in the NFC South and the Lions in the NFC North, making this a cross-division NFC meeting.
How did each team close out last season?
Atlanta won four straight – over Tampa Bay, Arizona, the Rams and New Orleans – after a 37-9 loss at Seattle. Detroit beat Chicago 19-16 in its finale after losing to the Rams, Pittsburgh and Minnesota.
Have the Falcons and Lions met before?
There is no head-to-head history between the two clubs, so this Week 13 game is their first meeting.
Next Match
Week 13 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium · Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons
Regular Season NFL match-ups by week 272 games ▾
▼ Week 1 16 games
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Thu, Sep 10 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Mon, Sep 14 |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 2 16 games
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Thu, Sep 17 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Mon, Sep 21 |
▼ Week 3 16 games
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Thu, Sep 24 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Mon, Sep 28 |
▼ Week 4 16 games
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Thu, Oct 1 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Mon, Oct 5 |
▼ Week 5 15 games
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Thu, Oct 8 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Mon, Oct 12 |
▼ Week 6 14 games
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Thu, Oct 15 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Mon, Oct 19 |
▼ Week 7 14 games
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Thu, Oct 22 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Mon, Oct 26 |
▼ Week 8 14 games
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Thu, Oct 29 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Mon, Nov 2 |
▼ Week 9 15 games
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Thu, Nov 5 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Mon, Nov 9 |
▼ Week 10 14 games
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Thu, Nov 12 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Mon, Nov 16 |
▼ Week 11 13 games
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Thu, Nov 19 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Mon, Nov 23 |
▼ Week 12 16 games
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Wed, Nov 25 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Fri, Nov 27 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Mon, Nov 30 |
▼ Week 13 14 games
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Thu, Dec 3 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Mon, Dec 7 |
▼ Week 14 15 games
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Thu, Dec 10 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Mon, Dec 14 |
▼ Week 15 16 games
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Thu, Dec 17 |
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Sat, Dec 19 |
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Sat, Dec 19 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Mon, Dec 21 |
▼ Week 16 16 games
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Thu, Dec 24 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Sat, Dec 26 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Mon, Dec 28 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 17 16 games
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Thu, Dec 31 |
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Sat, Jan 2 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Mon, Jan 4 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 18 16 games
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Sun, Jan 10 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |