The three-8 Cleveland Browns’ house win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) on “Thursday Night time Soccer” was just the start of a chaotic Week 12 slate, as a number of groups have been shockingly upset on Sunday.
To recap the motion, the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders every suffered deflating losses to a few of the NFL’s backside dwellers whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs averted the Carolina Panthers’ upset bid. The New York Giants, then again, misplaced in embarrassing trend as soon as once more, leaving many questioning the place they need to go from right here.
Listed here are a couple of knee-jerk reactions from the twelfth week of the NFL season:
Giants might be pressured to chop ties with HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen
Benching and releasing QB Daniel Jones did not change something for the Giants, who’ve dropped six consecutive video games following Sunday’s embarrassing 30-7 house loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New York (2-9) appeared unprepared and uninspired because it was outgained by 245 yards within the first half whereas trailing 23-0 at halftime. After the lopsided loss, star DT Dexter Lawrence II was one among a number of gamers to tear the Giants’ efficiency, with the two-time Professional Bowler admitting they performed “comfortable.”
Regardless of proprietor John Mara telling reporters final month that he did not anticipate making any teaching or front-office adjustments after the season, he may need no alternative however to wash home. Daboll is certainly the very best head coach the Giants have had since Tom Coughlin patrolled the MetLife Stadium sidelines, however it seems he has misplaced management of his locker room. Wins and losses might not seal Daboll or Schoen’s destiny, although if the workforce produces the same disgraceful effort over its remaining six video games, adjustments will certainly be coming.
Texans have formally reached pretender standing…
One of the shocking upsets from this week’s slate, the Texans have been surprised by their AFC South rival Tennessee, shedding 32-27 at NRG Stadium. Houston has now misplaced 4 of its final six video games, together with back-to-back at house, and the most recent loss as soon as once more highlighted the workforce’s deadly flaw, which is its second-half offense. The Texans offense did not rating a landing within the second half of Sunday’s contest, marking the fifth time up to now six games the unit failed to seek out the tip zone after halftime.
Coming into 2024, Houston was seen as a possible Tremendous Bowl contender after upgrading a roster that loved an sudden run to the divisional spherical of the AFC playoffs final season. Barring a disastrous collapse, the Texans ought to discover themselves within the postseason, however given their constant offensive struggles, it is arduous to think about they’re going to make a lot noise as soon as they get there.
… And so have the Commanders
Washington has been 2024’s model of the 2023 Texans however has not too long ago misplaced steam after beginning the season with a 7-2 file and hit a brand new low on Sunday. The Commanders suffered a stunning 34-26 house loss to the Dallas Cowboys in an exciting matchup that noticed a mixed 41 factors scored within the fourth quarter. Washington almost accomplished a exceptional comeback, just for kicker Austin Seibert to overlook an additional level that will’ve tied the sport with 21 seconds remaining.
Whereas each workforce hits a tough patch, the Commanders’ present three-game shedding streak raises doubts concerning the workforce’s potential to achieve the postseason. There is no disgrace in dropping a one-score sport to Pittsburgh, however being outclassed by Philadelphia and shedding to a spiraling Dallas workforce led by backup QB Cooper Rush are completely different tales. Even so, irrespective of how this season ends for Washington, it is undoubtedly a profitable begin to its new period beneath proprietor Josh Harris.
Pair of second-year quarterbacks could also be doing sufficient to earn 2025 beginning jobs
It hasn’t been a simple begin to both Bryce Younger or Will Levis’ respective careers, although they’re giving their groups causes not to surrender on them after this season. Younger gave the two-time reigning Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs a scare on Sunday, throwing for 263 yards and one landing in a 30-27 house loss. Although the stats don’t replicate it, the previous first total decide has steadily improved following his five-game benching, exhibiting extra poise with every passing begin.
In the meantime, Levis turned in one other rollercoaster-like efficiency throughout Tennessee’s highway win over Houston, ending 18-of-24 passing for 278 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, which was returned for a TD. Since getting back from a shoulder damage in Week 10, Levis ranks twelfth within the NFL in passing yards (748) and eighth in touchdowns (5). Contemplating that the highest 2025 quarterback prospects aren’t considered as generational skills, it could be in Carolina’s and Tennessee’s greatest curiosity to stay with Younger and Levis for subsequent season.
Seahawks appear to be the workforce to beat within the NFC West
The NFC West is a lovely mess. The 6-5 Seahawks earned the tie-breaker over Arizona due to a 16-6 house win on Sunday, whereas the 49ers fell to 5-6 and final place within the NFC West following a 38-10 highway loss to Inexperienced Bay. Though the standings will not be sorted out for a while, it is truthful to say that the Seahawks are the workforce in the very best place to seize the division crown.
Accidents have plagued Seattle all through the season, contributing to a 1-5 midseason skid, however it has been wholesome since its Week 10 bye and has hit its stride. After successful in dramatic trend in opposition to San Francisco final week, the Seahawks delivered their most commanding efficiency of the season on Sunday, shutting down a red-hot Cardinals offense that was averaging 29.3 factors over its earlier three video games.
Seattle’s protection has been dominant when wholesome this season, and so long as it will probably keep away from accidents, it might assist carry the workforce to its first division title since 2020.
Dolphins are rising as a dark-horse playoff risk
The AFC playoff image is pretty clear by way of almost 12 weeks of the common season, with all seven seeds holding no less than a 73% probability of reaching the postseason, per NFL.com‘s projection. Nonetheless, if there’s one workforce able to crashing the get together down the stretch, it is the Miami Dolphins. Miami moved to 5-6 on Sunday, dismantling the Patriots en path to a 34-15 house win, the workforce’s third consecutive victory.
Since QB Tua Tagovailoa returned from his concussion, the Dolphins offense has returned to kind, averaging 29 factors during the last 5 video games, the fifth-most amongst groups throughout that span. Moreover, the protection has turned a nook in current weeks, permitting the fifth-fewest factors per sport over the previous three contests (16.3). In line with Tankathon, the Dolphins have the sixth-easiest remaining schedule, and whereas they’re going to face chilly circumstances going ahead, an unbelievable playoff run can’t be dominated out.
Bears QB Caleb Williams is exhibiting why he was deserving of being No. 1 total decide
Chicago misplaced one other heartbreaker on Sunday, shedding to the Vikings 30-27 in additional time. Whereas disappointing, there have been positives to take from the competition, notably Williams’ efficiency. Along with finishing 32 of his 47 cross makes an attempt for 340 yards and two touchdowns whereas dashing for a team-high 33 yards, the rookie signal-caller delivered some spectacular late-game heroics.
With trailing by 11 factors with 22 seconds remaining in regulation, Williams capped off an eight-play drive with a one-yard landing cross to Keenan Allen earlier than connecting with D.J. Moore on a two-point dialog try. Then, after Chicago recovered its onside kick try, Williams threw a 27-yard cross to Moore to arrange a game-tying area purpose to ship the competition to additional time.
Williams has arguably been the third-best first-year quarterback this season, however with the clutch moments he is delivered and the management he is proven, Chicago should not remorse its resolution to draft him.
