The NFL is ready to flip the calendar to December with wild playoff races taking heart stage. Three groups are tied for the ultimate spot within the AFC race with 4 groups separated by a half recreation. Within the NFC, three groups are a half recreation behind the Vikings for the ultimate spot, making the stretch run much more attention-grabbing than regular.
The Eagles can take full command of home-field benefit within the NFC this week whereas the race for the No. 1 seed within the AFC is coming right down to 4 groups. Then there’s the NFC South, the place each group has a shedding report.
Because the playoff races warmth up, that is what we discovered about every group within the Week 12 slate of video games (no group had a bye this week).
Run protection even worse than regular: The Cardinals allowed a season-high 228 yards on the bottom in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, a efficiency much more abysmal than their run protection has been all 12 months. Arizona permits 140.1 yards per recreation this season (thirtieth in NFL) and 4.5 yards per carry (twenty fifth in NFL). The unit hasn’t allowed underneath 100 yards dashing in seven straight weeks and has allowed 174.3 yards per recreation over the past three weeks. Arizona has no probability of successful video games with this run protection.
Their id returned: The Falcons have been a run-first group with their quarterback scenario final 12 months, utilizing their wonderful run-blocking offensive line to realize yards and win video games. That disappeared for a lot of this 12 months, however Atlanta rushed for 228 yards (on 41 carries and averaged 5.6 yards per carry) in Sunday’s win. This was a season-high in dashing yards, as Atlanta obtained 91 from Bijan Robinson, 64 from Tyler Allgeier, and 43 from Cordarrelle Patterson. That is how the Falcons can win the poor NFC South, and they need to stick with it.
The offense is setting information for having the lead: It is superb that the Ravens have misplaced three video games when realizing how a lot that they had the lead via 12 video games. Baltimore has held the lead for 9:08:23 this season, the one group since 2000 to have the lead for over 9 hours via the primary 12 video games of the season — passing the 2004 Eagles’ mark of 8:58:35. They’re the fourth group since 1950 to carry a lead getting into the fourth quarter in every of their first 12 video games. Baltimore actually is used to enjoying with a lead, even when there have been a number of occasions the Ravens have not sealed the deal.
Tyler Bass is in a stoop: The Payments might have completed off the Eagles early within the second half, however Bass missed a 48-yard discipline purpose that might have put Buffalo up 20-7. As an alternative, the miss was one in every of two missed kicks (the Eagles blocked the opposite one) that would have put Philadelphia in an excellent greater gap. Bass is 9 of 14 on discipline purpose makes an attempt over his final seven video games, together with 4 of seven from 40-plus yards. Buffalo performed greater than properly sufficient to win Sunday, however miscues obtained within the Payments’ approach. Bass is a part of that.
Frank Reich could not repair the offense: A poor offensive line did not enable Reich, billed as an offensive guru, to work out his imaginative and prescient for Bryce Younger in Carolina. The Panthers lastly pulled the plug on Reich’s stint there Monday, as he was fired after simply 11 video games. Carolina’s offensive line is twenty seventh in strain charge allowed (40.3%) and twenty eighth in sack charge allowed (9.5%). Younger has struggled consequently, with no dependable move catchers to throw to. This was a recipe for catastrophe, and Reich takes the blame — whether or not he might name performs or not.
Offensive line nonetheless has main woes: The questions round Justin Fields stay on whether or not he is the franchise quarterback, however he did not get any assist from his offensive line in Monday’s win. The Bears are the worst group within the NFL in strain charge allowed (43.8%), which was placed on show towards the Vikings. The unit allowed 23 pressures and three sacks within the win, making Fields run for his life all day. The Bears are lucky Fields was 10 of 17 underneath strain, or else they’d’ve been watching one other loss.
Run recreation continues to let the offense down: When Jake Browning is at quarterback, the working recreation has to play higher than the unit that is twenty ninth in dashing yards per recreation and thirty first in yards per carry. In Sunday’s loss, the Bengals had 11 carries for 25 yards and simply 2.3 yards per carry. The Bengals are averaging simply 70.3 dashing yards per recreation over their final 4 video games, however have not reached 70 yards in three of their final 4 video games. If the Bengals need any probability with Browning at quarterback, Zac Taylor has to decide to the run recreation (irrespective of how unhealthy it’s).
Run protection lets the Browns down: The Browns have been strong towards the run all through the season, and so they have been anticipated to maintain Denver’s run recreation at bay. As an alternative the Broncos rushed for 169 yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry — the second straight week Cleveland has been bullied on the bottom. The Browns have allowed 170.5 dashing yards per recreation over the past two weeks, though they’ve allowed lower than 300 complete yards in each these contests. Groups can run on Cleveland, a weak spot exploited in a dominant protection.
Dak Prescott is on an unbelievable run: Prescott has been on hearth for the previous month or so, capped together with his efficiency Thursday which he completed 22 of 32 for 331 yards and 4 touchdowns in Dallas’ newest blowout win. Over the previous 5 video games, Prescott has accomplished 70.6% of his passes for 1,602 yards with 17 touchdowns to 2 interceptions and a 124.8 ranking. The Cowboys are 4-1 in that stretch, as Prescott continues to play at a excessive degree. Prescott is first in passing touchdowns and passer ranking by a large margin (he is the one participant prior to now 5 video games with double-digit touchdowns). He is enjoying like an MVP. The Cowboys simply need to beat the successful groups subsequent to considerably assist his case.
Run protection continues to battle: The Browns have been struggling towards the run the previous two weeks, however the Broncos have been struggling all 12 months. Denver is final in rush yards per recreation (155.2) and yards per carry allowed (5.4), which continued towards the Browns on Sunday. The Broncos solely allowed 107 dashing yards, however that was a product of the Browns abandoning the run relatively than Denver stopping it. Denver allowed three runs of 10-plus yards within the first half — and have been solely up eight. That is on the Browns greater than the Broncos. Cleveland ought to have continued to run the ball.
Overaggressiveness on fourth down value them: Dan Campbell went for it 5 occasions on fourth down towards the Packers and the Lions dug themselves to a 20-6 gap, and did not convert any of them till the sport was principally determined with underneath three minutes to play. The Lions went for it on fourth-and-4 from the Packers’ 35 in a 20-6 recreation, however rushed to get the play off earlier than the two-minute warning (they did not need to), which led to an incomplete move. They determined to run a pretend punt on their very own 23-yard line halfway via the third quarter in a 23-14 recreation and failed to realize a yard (the Packers scored a landing on the brief discipline to make it 29-14). In addition they did not convert a fourth-and-7 on the Packers’ 12 to maintain the deficit at 29-14. The Lions are essentially the most aggressive group on fourth down within the NFL, however that really backfired this week.
Move rush beginning to come alive: The Packers completed with 12 quarterback hurries and three sacks in Thursday’s win over the Lions — all from Rashan Gary. Inexperienced Bay additionally had a season-high 27 pressures (together with seven by Kenny Clark), which performed an enormous function in attending to Jared Goff and forcing three fumbles. The Packers are seventh in strain charge (39.6%) and have 42 pressures over the past two weeks. Inexperienced Bay is again within the NFC playoff race due to the re-emergence of the move rush.
DeMeco Ryans continues to be a first-year head coach: Ryans had a number of questionable selections in Sunday’s loss, going for it on fourth-and-1 from his personal 46-yard line and calling a deep move on the play. He additionally despatched out Matt Ammendola for a 58-yard attempt to tie the sport on a fourth-and-12, when he might have minimize the space by being extra conservative on third-and-12. Ammendola had by no means made a discipline purpose over 50 yards both. Ryans continues to be studying how one can be a head coach, even when that hasn’t proven most of this 12 months.
They’re the No. 7 seed within the AFC playoff image: Sure, the Indianapolis Colts occupy the ultimate playoff spot heading into December. The Colts are tied with three groups at 6-5, however maintain the No. 7 playoff spot on account of having a greater convention report than the Broncos and the head-to-head win over the Texans. That is with a rookie head coach in Shane Steichen and backup quarterback in Gardner Minshew, however will it final? The Colts even have a good schedule quarterback-wise, not dealing with a high quarterback till C.J. Stroud in Week 18. 4 of their remaining six opponents at present have shedding information. They will be within the playoff hunt.
Trevor Lawrence reveals up in an enormous second: Franchise quarterbacks are inclined to play their finest in massive video games, particularly in division showdowns for first place. Lawrence had probably the greatest video games of his profession, throwing for 364 yards and a landing and dashing for a landing. Lawrence has a move and rush landing in the identical recreation for the second consecutive week, but additionally showcased his super accuracy on the deep ball. He has 4 completions of 40+ yards, essentially the most by a Jaguars quarterback since Mark Brunell in 1996. The Jaguars confirmed the Texans they’re the most effective group within the division, due to Lawrence.
Turnovers and dropped passes have been nowhere to be discovered: The Chiefs obtained off to a sluggish begin towards the Raiders, however have been capable of come again due to a really un-Chiefs like efficiency. Kansas Metropolis has 19 giveaways on the season and had 11 in its final 5 video games. The Chiefs did not have any on Sunday, together with only one dropped move (they lead the NFL in dropped passes). There is a motive why Kansas Metropolis scored 31 factors and touchdowns on 4 of 5 possessions. The Chiefs did not beat themselves Sunday.
Antonio Pierce is getting essentially the most of Josh Jacobs: The largest drawback with Josh McDaniels this season was how inefficient Jacobs was in his system, a 12 months after he led the NFL in dashing yards. Beneath Pierce, the Raiders have averaged 108 dashing yards per recreation — whereas Jacobs has 363 yards and three touchdowns in that four-game stretch. He has two 100-yard video games in his final three, whereas averaging 4.2 yards per carry. With a rookie quarterback, the Raiders are counting on Jacobs extra. An excellent factor.
Austin Ekeler has been off all 12 months: An ankle damage affected the beginning of his season, and Ekeler hasn’t been the identical participant since his return. He had simply 10 carries for 32 yards (3.2 yards per carry), persevering with a season which he has simply 428 dashing yards and 4 touchdowns (3.8 yards per carry). The receiving numbers are down too for Ekeler, as he has simply 286 receiving yards and a landing. This is identical participant who’s had 28 scrimmage touchdowns over the past two years — Ekeler has simply 5 this 12 months. This is not the identical man who’s been probably the most productive gamers within the league.
Kyren Williams returned on the proper time: Williams was lastly again from injured reserve on account of an ankle damage and had an enormous recreation, dashing for 143 yards and averaging 8.9 yards per carry. He additionally had six catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns, totaling 204 yards from scrimmage and two scores. Whether or not it was the Cardinals run protection or not, the Rams offense is clearly higher with Williams within the lineup — averaging 25 factors per recreation when he performs. Williams additionally leads the NFL in dashing yards per recreation at 85.9.
Little issues must be cleaned up: The Dolphins racked up 395 yards of offense and 5.7 yards per play, together with going 11 of 16 on third down. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill every had 100-plus receiving yards and Raheem Mostert rushed for 2 scores. Regardless of the offensive success, the Dolphins turned the ball over thrice (two Tagovailoa interceptions and a misplaced fumble). The Dolphins have six giveaways of their final two video games and 9 of their final 4. These may be fastened, however Miami has to take higher care of the soccer come December — whether or not they’re enjoying at residence or not.
Benching Joshua Dobbs is not the answer: Dobbs had a brutal recreation in Monday’s loss to the Bears, throwing for 185 yards and 4 interceptions in what was his worst begin of the season. Dobbs seemed misplaced working Kevin O’Connell’s offense, as the pinnacle coach had him working play-action much like Kirk Cousins. That isn’t Dobbs’ recreation and the Vikings offense sputtered to 242 yards and 10 factors. Dobbs is finest when counting on his athleticism, which O’Connell did not enable him to do Monday.
Quarterback change would not matter: Invoice Belichick performed video games together with his beginning quarterback all week, going with Mac Jones to begin earlier than transferring on to Bailey Zappe to begin the second half. Each Patriots quarterbacks mixed to go 21 of 35 for 143 yards and three interceptions (two from Jones and one from Zappe). The Patriots did rating and Zappe’s first drive, however had simply 76 yards the remainder of the best way, together with an interception and a missed discipline purpose. The offense is simply unhealthy, and should find yourself being the worst the NFL has seen in fairly a while.
Derek Carr hasn’t been the difference-maker: The Saints have a roster to roll via a poor NFC South, but discover themselves in second place with a shedding report heading into December. Carr hasn’t helped, having zero touchdowns in three division video games — together with none in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. He additionally threw a game-changing pick-six to Jessie Bates within the purple zone, including to New Orleans’ frustration on offense. Carr has 10 touchdowns to 5 interceptions for an 88.5 ranking, numbers that are not making a distinction, like what the Saints paid for. The Saints have loads of issues, and Carr is one in every of them.
Jalin Hyatt performs his finest with Tommy DeVito: Hyatt had his first career-100 yard receiving recreation on Sunday, ending with 5 catches for 109 yards within the win over the Patriots. Within the earlier two begins with DeVito, Hyatt has only one catch for seven yards on three targets. The Giants turned him unfastened on Sunday in a misplaced season, as he averaged 18.2 yards per goal. He had the three largest performs for both group (41, 29, and 22 yards). Hyatt admitted he had a dialog with Brian Daboll how to reach the league, so maybe that obtained him going.
Tim Boyle wasn’t any higher than Zach Wilson: This should not come as a shock, however the Jets offense was nonetheless unhealthy — even with Boyle at quarterback. Boyle threw two interceptions (one in every of which was the Hail Mary return for a landing) and averaged simply 4.7 yards per try. The Jets put up simply 159 yards of offense (29 dashing yards) and averaged a pathetic 2.9 yards per play. The Jets additionally allowed 13 strain and a 5.8% strain charge per dropback. Boyle wasn’t the reply nor a repair. The offense is simply unhealthy with Nathaniel Hackett working it.
Jalen Hurts is clutch, and so is Jake Elliott: What Hurts was capable of accomplish within the second half for the Eagles in Sunday’s comeback win is unimaginable (14 of 20 for 167 yards with three touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 134.8 ranking), however the comeback would not occur with out Elliott making a 59-yard discipline purpose within the wind and pouring rain to power time beyond regulation. This is not the primary time Elliott has completed this, because the Eagles kicker has by no means missed a game-tying or go-ahead discipline purpose try within the remaining two minutes of regulation or time beyond regulation (made all eight makes an attempt). The Eagles have clutch gamers, and Elliott is one in every of them.
The offense was higher with out Matt Canada: Do not let the purpose complete cloud judgement right here (the Steelers solely scored 16 factors). The Steelers gained 421 complete yards, snapping a streak of 58 straight video games underneath 400 complete yards, the second-longest streak within the NFL over the previous 30 years. They out-gained the Bengals 421-222, the primary time this season they’ve out-gained an opponent. Pittsburgh has 174.0 dashing yards per recreation within the final 4 video games (79.7 within the first seven video games). Pat Freiermuth had 120 receiving yards and Kenny Pickett averaged 8.4 yards per try, clearly taking extra photographs of 10-plus air yards. This offense will solely get higher going ahead.
Christian McCaffrey needs to be offensive participant of the 12 months: Simply one other day on the workplace for McCaffrey, who completed with 19 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns and 5 catches for 25 yards. The 49ers are loaded on offense, however McCaffrey is clearly the most effective participant on the spectacular unit. McCaffrey leads the NFL in dashing yards (939), dashing yards per recreation (85.4), scrimmage touchdowns (16) — all whereas main the league with 241 touches whereas staying comparatively wholesome. The 49ers are a well-oiled machine, and McCaffrey is the engine that will get it going.
Enjoying on a nasty elbow was powerful for Geno Smith: A brief week actually did not assist Smith recuperate in time from his bruised elbow, which he was getting remedy on all week. Smith began off sluggish in Thursday’s loss (which he claims has nothing to do together with his elbow). He had a nasty threw which led to an interception (which Smith hasn’t been identified for since heading to Seattle) and virtually tripped his option to a security. The Seahawks had no yards of offense after the primary quarter and 15 after their first 5 possessions. The 49ers strain had rather a lot to do with it, however Smith’s elbow was an excessive amount of to beat. Going 1-of-3 for five yards within the first quarter with a dropped interception confirmed how his day was going to go.
Tristan Wirfs is not the identical participant at left deal with: Sore ankle or not, this is not been the dominant Wirfs the league is accustomed to seeing. Wirfs allowed two sacks and 4 pressures on Sunday, a strain charge per dropback allowed of 10.5%. That is essentially the most sacks Wirfs has ever given up in a season (once more, at a brand new place) and the best strain charge allowed (3.0%) since his rookie 12 months in 2020. Lengthy-term, Wirfs can be positive, however the numbers will not be as dominating from left facet as the proper.
They are a playoff group at residence: The Titans have performed for video games at residence, six on the street, and one recreation in London. They’re 0-7 away from Nissan Stadium and 4-0 at residence, which included Sunday’s win over the Panthers. The Titans common 24.8 factors per recreation at residence and 12.3 away from Nissan Stadium. Tennessee has 4 of its remaining six video games at residence, so the Titans can be a tricky out. This is not a playoff group, however enjoying in Tennessee is not a stroll within the park.
The top is close to for Ron Rivera: Whether or not it is the 45 factors given up, the 8.6 yards per play, or the offensive line permitting 23 pressures and 6 quarterbacks hits — this Commanders group is unhealthy. Dallas showcased why Washington is 4-8 after 12 video games, though the Commanders have seen promise from Sam Howell. Rivera’s reply was firing his defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach earlier than the Titanic sunk. If Rivera lasts the season, will probably be shocking. The Commanders can transfer the ball, however their offensive line, line of defense, and secondary destroys any alternative for them to win a recreation. Two of these points are on Rivera.
