WEEK 12
Week 12 had the return of Covid-19. A clear reminder that this fight is far from over. The entire league was effected Week 12 from Covid-19, disrupting a few teams more than a usual week would. The Broncos had to start a practice squad receiver with all four of their quarterbacks within contact of Jeff Driskel. The Ravens are nearing 20 players who have been traced for Covid-19, leaving unpredictability for who can play Tuesday. The 49er will have to play their home games with the county banning contact sports (who would have thought that contacting someone could spread Covid?).
Titans-Colts
This game was the necessary response to the Thursday night embarrassment at home. The Titans retook the AFC South with a route of their own. Derrick Henry had 140 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half alone. The Titans’ offense essentially ended the game at the half with 35 points on the board. It was clear throughout the game that the Colts could have used Deforest Buckner, who missed the game with Covid-19 protocols. The Titans looked like the better team throughout this game but it’s hard to say if they will remain the best for the home stretch of the season. Regardless of who wins the division, both teams reminded us why they won’t make it far in the postseason. The Colts can’t beat three good teams in a row with Philip Rivers at quarterback. The Titans can’t ride Derrick Henry for three straight games.
Cardinals-Patriots
We knew the Cardinals weren’t going to be let off easy when playing the Patriots. They were going to have to play a close game. Unfortunately, they couldn’t finish the job, despite a late turnover to set up a field goal drive. Bill Belichick reminded us why he has the lifetime achievement award for the best coach in the NFL. The game plan for the Patriots by default gave them a chance to win and they walked off the game with a Nick Folk field goal. The Patriots are going to finish the season with a respectable record. Not a playoff team but good enough considering they lost Tom Brady and half of their defense.
Panthers-Vikings
Whenever I watch the Panthers, I feel the same reaction of cautious optimism. Matt Rhule has this team looking like a promising one for next season, with a defense that suddenly looks talented. The problem is this hype can’t take off until next season. The Panthers had a comfortable lead and appeared poised to win their 5th game with an 11-point lead entering the 4th quarter. Yet, they lost again. The Vikings were struggling against the Panthers’ defense throughout the game. Suddenly, the Panthers chose to enter a prevent defense (that should work). This game doesn’t suddenly put the Vikings in the playoff discussion, remember, they lost to the Cowboys last week.
Browns-Jaguars
For the first time in what felt like a year, the Browns played a game in warm weather. Going to Jacksonville for Week 12 would supposedly show us a different side of the Browns or prove that they are a complete team, yet we saw none of that. We saw the two-headed monster at running back in Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb once again gash a defense (206 yards on the ground between the duo). But Baker Mayfield was simply fine at quarterback and the defense allowed 25 points to one of the worst offenses in the NFL.
The Browns clawed away with a victory and a 27-25 win against the second-worst team in the NFL would make any Browns fan nervous. The reason to be optimistic is the fact that they have reached their 8th win, the playoffs are only a few victories away. This year’s roster feels different only because the sports world hasn’t been talking much about them (with this in mind, we should focus on the Browns at all).
Giants-Bengals
I look back at this game and notice one difference between these two pitiful teams that was the deciding factor in this Week 12 game. The Giants had a reason to win this game, the Bengals didn’t. Both teams were playing backup quarterbacks, both teams lacked offensive talent, both offensive lines doom anyone passing the ball. The Giants took first place with the two-point victory and that was enough to drive them to win. Oddly enough, the NFC East is going to be a race to 6 wins. At the moment the Giants have four and will have to find two games on their schedule that are winnable somehow (Cardinals Week 14 and Cowboys Week 17 seem like the best bets).
Chargers-Bills
It’s games like these that make us wonder how good the Bills truly are. The Bills played a Chargers team that is bad at football (there’s no way around it). Somehow, this was a close game. Yes, the Bills were in control for most of the game and yes they walked away with the victory. The problem this game leaves us with is the underlying fact that this should have been a decisive victory. Buffalo is one step closer to winning the division and making the playoffs, it’s just hard to see them making it far with this team (also, based on how the Dolphins have been playing, they might not win the division).
Raiders-Falcons
Week 12 had the ultimate trap game for the Raiders. A close game against the Chiefs would have them rightfully convinced that they are one of the best teams in the AFC so they naturally played down to the lowly Falcons. This is where the Falcons feasted on the opportunity. Matt Ryan constantly found open receivers and the Falcons defense played their best game in a 43-6 drubbing. Atlanta is doing the most Atlanta thing possible, winning a surplus of games well after the season is over. Meanwhile, the Raiders make you wonder. How can a team that looks as good as they do collapse in such a dramatic fashion? Will the Raiders make the playoffs? They should but after this game, I wouldn’t bet on it.
49ers-Rams
The 49ers are starting to return some of their stars from the injured reserve list. The difference was clear as the 49ers didn’t look hapless for the first time in weeks. This game oddly looked like a runaway victory for San Francisco until the Rams defense flipped the momentum of the game (a nice reminder that Aaron Donald should either win Defensive Player of the Year or just get his lifetime achievement award already). The Rams fought back in this game yet the 49ers looked like last season’s selves when Robbie Gould walked off the game with a field goal. The Rams needed this win to keep pace with the rest of the NFC, yet it was a reminder that they will be in the playoffs but probably not make it far.
Saints-Broncos
This game shouldn’t have been played and the writing was on the wall once the kickoff occurred. The Broncos were without all of their quarterbacks and I guess the Zamboni driver didn’t know how to throw the ball. The most impressive part of this game was the fact that the Broncos scored a field goal. The Saints were supposed to score more than that wince Taysom Hill is slightly better at quarterback than whoever the Broncos threw out there on Sunday.
Chiefs-Buccaneers
In case we needed a reminder for why the Chiefs are still favored to win the Super Bowl despite not having the best record. Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill personally carved up the Bucs defense in only the first half. The Chiefs essentially ended this game early and allowed the Buccaneers to cover the spread with a few late touchdowns. We also saw the gap on Sunday between the best in the NFC and the best in the AFC. The Chiefs, as well as the other top teams in the AFC, are significantly better than whatever the NFC has to offer. Regardless of who makes it out of the NFC, it’s hard to see any of those teams winning the Super Bowl.
Bears-Packers
Sunday night massacre was once again among us. Before the game started, we knew that this game had the ability to become a blowout. Once we saw how Aaron Rodgers was able to pick apart an injured Bears defense and the offensive line was able to block downhill with Akiem Hicks missing from the game, we saw the disaster waiting to happen. To add to the blowout, Mitch Turbisky was back as the starter. The problem isn’t that Trubisky is back as the starter, rather the idea the Bears had entering this season that they could rotate two quarterbacks and expect to win. This season has gotten uglier than anyone could have imagined. The Bears might not win again and frankly, they deserve it.
