Week 12 of the NFL season is mostly in the books, and there were plenty of exciting games, surprises, and major takeaways. Let’s dive into the most important highlights, with a special focus on two teams that are facing growing concerns: the Houston Texans and the Washington Commanders.
Steelers vs. Browns – AFC North Showdown in the Snow
The Browns defeated the Steelers 24-19 in a snowy Thursday night game, with standout performances from Nick Chubb (2 TDs) and Myles Garrett (3 sacks). Despite eight losses, the Browns are looking better under backup quarterback Jameis Winston, who has been far more effective than Deshaun Watson this season. The difference in total yards (300+ in 3 out of 4 games for Winston vs. just 1 out of 7 for Watson) is noticeable, and Winston might be the better long-term solution for Cleveland.
For the Steelers, this loss can be attributed to the tough schedule and a short week after their rivalry game against the Ravens. However, coaching decisions like Mike Tomlin’s timeout and the fade route to Cordarrelle Patterson on a two-point conversion didn’t help. Despite this, they remain an 8-3 team with a solid defense, but their upcoming schedule is brutal.
Bucs Dominate Giants, 30-7 – Giants in Freefall
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cruised to a 30-7 win over the Giants, who made headlines by releasing quarterback Daniel Jones earlier in the week. Tommy DeVito started and struggled against a playoff-hopeful Bucs team coming off a bye. Baker Mayfield led Tampa’s offense to 450 yards, with contributions from Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, and others. The Giants couldn’t keep up, and aside from the Jones saga, it’s clear they are a bad team. The roster construction under Joe Shane is underwhelming, and the future looks bleak.
Dolphins Stay Hot, Beat Patriots 34-5
The Miami Dolphins showed their playoff potential with a dominant 34-5 win over the Patriots. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns, but surprisingly, none of them went to Tyreek Hill. Miami’s passing game was on point, even without a strong run game, and they completed the season sweep over the Patriots. With a tough matchup against Green Bay on Thursday, the Dolphins are eyeing a 10-win season if they can keep their momentum going.
For New England, there’s not much to take away. Their offense is stagnant, and the defense, under defensive-minded head coach Gerard Mayo, has allowed 62 points in the last two games. The Patriots are clearly a team in transition, with a lot of questions to answer.
Lions Keep Rolling, Dominate Colts 24-6
The Detroit Lions continue to impress, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 24-6. David Montgomery and Jamaal Gibbs both found the end zone, with Gibbs scoring twice. The Lions have outscored their opponents 76-2 in the past two weeks, and while some critics will say their recent opponents haven’t been elite, this is a team to watch. They are dominating the trenches and look poised for a deep run.
For the Colts, this loss highlighted missed opportunities and an inability to match up against a more talented Lions team. Jonathan Taylor had a poor performance, rushing for just 35 yards. The Colts are facing some tough questions about their future and quarterback situation.
Texans Take a Hit, Lose to Titans 23-17
The Houston Texans took a surprising loss to the Tennessee Titans, falling 23-17 in a game where they were favored. Despite being 7-5 and in a good position to win the AFC South, there are concerns about their offensive line and playcalling. Rookie quarterback CJ Stroud is playing well, but the Texans are struggling to consistently execute offensively. Their defense has been solid, but as the season goes on, they look like a team headed for a first-round exit if they can’t get things together.
Vikings Hold On, Beat Bears 30-27 in OT
The Minnesota Vikings narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears 30-27 in overtime. It was a game they should have won comfortably, but the Bears kept it close. Minnesota has now won three straight road games and sits at 9-2, but their postseason outlook is still uncertain. While Jordan Addison had his best game of the season, the Vikings’ future remains up for debate.
For the Bears, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams showed flashes of brilliance, and despite their 4-7 record, there’s hope for the future. Bears fans will be looking forward to the end of the Matt Eberflus era, and if Williams continues to play at a high level, they can look ahead with optimism.
Chiefs Escape Panthers 30-27, Bryce Young Shows Promise
The Kansas City Chiefs barely escaped with a 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers, continuing their trend of one-score games. Noah Gray stepped up with another strong performance at tight end, and despite the close win, the Chiefs are still the favorites in the AFC. They will likely secure the top spot in the AFC West and get healthier for the playoffs.
For the Panthers, it was a bright spot for Bryce Young, who looked like the quarterback Carolina expected him to be. The Panthers’ defense couldn’t quite hold off the Chiefs, but Young’s performance provides hope for a team in rebuilding mode.
Cowboys Win Big Over Commanders, 34-26
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 34-26 in a wild game. The fourth quarter saw 41 of the game’s 60 points scored, with Cooper Rush throwing for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Washington, however, has major concerns, with their offense continuing to falter. The second-half collapse was evident, and they are now 7-5 after a promising 7-2 start. Washington is a team on the decline with more questions than answers.
Seahawks Edge Out Cardinals 16-6 in Critical Division Matchup
The Seattle Seahawks took care of business, beating the Arizona Cardinals 16-6 in a crucial NFC West battle. Seattle, now 6-5, can still make a push for the division title, especially with a win next week over a struggling Jets team. The defense has been stout, but Geno Smith needs to cut down on turnovers for this team to make a playoff push.
For the Cardinals, this loss was disappointing, especially coming off a bye. Their offense struggled, failing to establish the run, and now their division title hopes have taken a hit. Arizona’s long-term future still looks bright, but this was a setback for a team that had shown improvement earlier in the season.
Final Thoughts on Week 12
Week 12 revealed some big concerns, especially for the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders. The Texans are still a team with promise but need to shore up their offensive line and playcalling if they hope to make a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, Washington’s struggles on offense have left fans wondering if their playoff dreams are fading fast. Despite these concerns, there are still plenty of exciting teams and storylines heading into the final stretch of the season.
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