The three-8 Cleveland Browns’ house win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) on “Thursday Evening Soccer” was only 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 among the NFL’s backside dwellers whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs prevented the Carolina Panthers’ upset bid. The New York Giants, alternatively, misplaced in embarrassing style as soon as once more, leaving many questioning the place they need to go from right here.
Listed here are just a few knee-jerk reactions from the twelfth week of the NFL season:
Giants may very well be compelled 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) seemed 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 considered one of a number of gamers to tear the Giants’ efficiency, with the two-time Professional Bowler admitting they performed “gentle.”
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 scrub home. Daboll is certainly the most effective head coach the Giants have had since Tom Coughlin patrolled the MetLife Stadium sidelines, but it surely seems he has misplaced management of his locker room. Wins and losses might not seal Daboll or Schoen’s destiny, although if the staff produces an analogous disgraceful effort over its remaining six video games, adjustments will certainly be coming.
Texans have formally reached pretender standing…
One of the vital stunning upsets from this week’s slate, the Texans have been shocked by their AFC South rival Tennessee, dropping 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 newest loss as soon as once more highlighted the staff’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 top 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 laborious 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 lately misplaced steam after beginning the season with a 7-2 file and hit a brand new low on Sunday. The Commanders suffered a surprising 34-26 house loss to the Dallas Cowboys in an exciting matchup that noticed a mixed 41 factors scored within the fourth quarter. Washington practically accomplished a outstanding comeback, just for kicker Austin Seibert to overlook an additional level that may’ve tied the sport with 21 seconds remaining.
Whereas each staff hits a tough patch, the Commanders’ present three-game dropping streak raises doubts in regards to the staff’s potential to reach the postseason. There is not any disgrace in dropping a one-score sport to Pittsburgh, however being outclassed by Philadelphia and dropping to a spiraling Dallas staff 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 underneath 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. Despite the fact that the stats don’t replicate it, the previous first total choose 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 harm 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 seen as generational skills, it may be in Carolina’s and Tennessee’s greatest curiosity to stay with Younger and Levis for subsequent season.
Seahawks appear like the staff to beat within the NFC West
The NFC West is a wonderful 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 staff in the most effective place to seize the division crown.
Accidents have plagued Seattle all through the season, contributing to a 1-5 midseason skid, but it surely has been wholesome since its Week 10 bye and has hit its stride. After successful in dramatic style towards 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 may keep away from accidents, it might assist carry the staff to its first division title since 2020.
Dolphins are rising as a dark-horse playoff risk
The AFC playoff image is pretty clear via practically 12 weeks of the common season, with all seven seeds holding not less than a 73% likelihood of reaching the postseason, per NFL.com‘s projection. Nevertheless, if there’s one staff able to crashing the occasion 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 staff’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 choose
Chicago misplaced one other heartbreaker on Sunday, dropping to the Vikings 30-27 in extra time. Whereas disappointing, there have been positives to take from the competition, notably Williams’ efficiency. Along with finishing 32 of his 47 move makes an attempt for 340 yards and two touchdowns whereas speeding 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 move 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 move to Moore to arrange a game-tying subject objective to ship the competition to extra 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 determination to draft him.