Week 13 of the NFL season featured more lows than highs with pathetic defeats and poor behavior from one of the league’s biggest stars. Here is a look at the NFL’s best and worst from the weekend.

Highs

Seahawks still breathing

The Seattle Seahawks started their home game against the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles backed into a corner. Their roster sat decimated and their hopes rested on quarterback Russell Wilson to keep them in the game. Wilson did his job, and the defense stepped up in a big way against an Eagles team that had won nine straight games.

The Seahawks defense sacked Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz three times and forced a fumble. Seattle also held the Eagles to 3.8 yards per carry and less than a 100 rushing yards overall. Meanwhile, Wilson completed 20-of-31 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Seahawks' to the 24-10 victory. 

Seattle came into this season with a Super Bowl roster, but injuries and a lack of chemistry have hurt them. The team's performance against the Eagles proved they are still dangerous. The Los Angeles Rams better keep looking over their shoulders. Seattle isn’t out of it.

Saints take control

Drew Brees
Twitter/Saints

The New Orleans Saints entered their divisional game against the Carolina Panthers looking to take control of their destiny in the NFC South. They succeeded with a 31-21 victory.

Quarterback Drew Brees completed 25-of-34 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara combined for 23 carries for 145 yards and three touchdowns. The balanced Saints offense controlled the Panthers throughout the game, which showed how dangerous this team really is.

New Orleans demonstrated that it is a legit threat in the NFC. Head coach Sean Payton has put together a balanced offense that can beat you in several different ways. The Saints also finally have a defense that can stop teams. Their loss to the Rams dug up some flaws, but the Saints proved their credentials against Carolina. In the process, they earned the tiebreaker over the Panthers and set themselves up for the NFC South title.

Josh Gordon returns

The Cleveland Browns’ nightmare season continued in their 19-10 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Josh Gordon
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

However, there was a feelgood story there. Wide receiver Josh Gordon finally played after being suspended for over two years due to substance abuse violations.

Everyone has their vices. Gordon paid the price for his and deserved another chance to make a living as an NFL receiver. He performed well in his debut, catching four passes for 85 yards. If Gordon can stay out of trouble, the Browns have their No. 1 receiver heading into an offseason where they can make significant moves to be a contender in 2017. Moreover, the NFL needs playmakers like Gordon. I hope we’ve seen the last of Gordon’s demons. It was great to see him in uniform again.

Lows

Rob Gronkowski’s cheap shot

Rob Gronkowski
Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

The New England Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills on 23-3 on Sunday. Unfortunately, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski took it to a whole new level. The frustrated Gronkowski drove his shoulder into Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White’s head and back late in the game. White was lying on his stomach after a play.

There is no excuse for this behavior. The NFL should penalize Gronkowski heavily for this. His actions were worse than what took place between Aqib Talib and Michael Crabtree. This was a shot against a player that was not able to defend himself. If the precedent set by the NFL is two games, then why did the league give Gronkowski a one-game suspension? What if Gronkowski actually caused a concussion? Given the recent talk about CTE, the NFL needs to take a clear stand here.

The failed Trevor Siemian experiment

Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian completed 19-of-41 passes for 200 yards and three interceptions in a 35-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Do I need to go any further?

Look for the Broncos to pursue a quarterback early in the draft or maybe consider Kirk Cousins.

The Eli Manning benching

Now fired New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo benched longtime starter Eli Manning against the Oakland Raiders, which ended Manning’s 210-game consecutive starts streak. 

Eli Manning
Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports

Words cannot express how ridiculous it was for the Giants to do this to a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback during the season.

Geno Smith stepped in and did a solid job, holding down the fort in New York's 24-17 loss, but that isn’t the point. Manning deserved better, and the team should be held accountable for its treatment of him.

Ryan Shazier’s injury

Ryan Shazier
Frank Victores/The Associated Press

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier suffered a spinal contusion during the team’s 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. The injury reminded us that football, while wonderful in many ways, can still be dangerous. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him as he recovers.