NFL Week 12 Takeaways: Jayden Daniels Still Top Rookie But Cowboys End Losing Streak
Hard as it is to believe, we've already wrapped Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season. Outside of the Thanksgiving Day contests, Week 12 brought the final games of November.
The week's schedule wasn't short on important games. It began with one of the AFC's best teams (Pittsburgh Steelers) taking on one of the worst (Cleveland Browns).
Cleveland's upset win was only the first of many unexpected outcomes and some wild finishes. The Kansas City Chiefs needed a last-second field goal to outlast the Carolina Panthers, while the San Francisco 49ers couldn't even keep their game close against the Green Bay Packers.
Sam Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings over the rival Chicago Bears in overtime. C.J. Stroud, meanwhile, got a little lost in the end zone against the Tennessee Titans.
The Philadelphia Eagles just keep on winning. The Baltimore Ravens got back to it with a convincing Monday night victory in the third iteration of the Harbaugh Bowl.
Just as they do every week, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski are here to break Week 12 down, with the biggest takeaway from every game played.
Baltimore Ravens 30, Los Angeles Chargers 23
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An Aggressive Ravens Team Could Be a Problem for Upcoming Opponents
Seven-win teams don't typically carry an aura of desperation, but it sure felt like the Ravens were backed into a corner on Monday night.
Baltimore's defense didn't look good early, as the team fell into a 10-0 hole. From that point on, though, head coach John Harbaugh started taking chances. He opted to go for it on fourth down twice in Ravens territory—the first time from their own 16-yard line.
Both of those drives—one of which involved another fourth-down attempt—resulted in touchdowns. Baltimore had gone for it on fourth down only seven times coming into the game.
That aggressiveness changed the complexion of the game because the Los Angeles Chargers were doing a respectable job of stopping Baltimore on third down. Trying to stop Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the rest of an explosive Ravens offense, however, proved to be a monumental challenge.
Why were the Ravens desperate despite their record? A loss would all but have eliminated Baltimore from the race for the AFC's No. 1 seed—which, admittedly, is still a long shot for them. Last week's loss to the Steelers, meanwhile, put Baltimore in a hole in the AFC North.
Harbaugh may have found something in Monday night's approach that he can use moving forward. Baltimore's defense, which came in ranked 32nd against the pass and 23rd in points allowed, has been the team's biggest liability. By refusing to punt and extending drives, the Ravens gave their defense time to rest and put more points on the board.
For upcoming opponents like the Eagles, Steelers and Texans—and any future playoff opponents—this approach could pose a significant problem.
The Chargers Can't Be Contenders Without J.K. Dobbins
Los Angeles came into Monday night with an impressive 7-3 record. However, the Chargers had only beaten one team that currently has a winning record, Denver. Baltimore, therefore could be viewed as a late-season measuring stick for Jim Harbaugh's squad.
For a little more than a quarter, it appeared that Harbaugh West would pass the test with flying colors. Justin Herbert and the Chargers largely had their way with Baltimore's defense while racing out to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.
Then, two things happened. The Ravens got aggressive, and the Chargers lost running back J.K. Dobbins to a knee injury.
Dobbins' injury may have created the bigger swing. He repeatedly blew through the Ravens defense, averaging 6.7 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per reception. After he exited, the Chargers had absolutely no burst in the ground game.
The offensive imbalance allowed the Ravens' pass rush to tee off on Herbert and made the rest of the game a fairly one-sided affair.
Herbert has been great for most of the season, but the game plan all season has been to win with a ball-control offense and stout defense. That plan won't work without Dobbins because backs like Haason Haskins and Gus Edwards just don't bring the same juice.
Los Angeles must hope that Dobbins doesn't miss significant time. He's the best back on the roster by a significant margin, and starting-caliber backs aren't just laying on the couch waiting to be signed.
Monday's game provided an unflattering look at just how different this Chargers team is without Dobbins. The version we saw against Baltimore can't be a serious postseason threat.
Kansas City Chiefs 30, Carolina Panthers 27
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Chiefs Find Faster Start but New Concerns and a Familiar Finish
Despite their 10-1 record, the Chiefs haven't had many truly convincing victories this season, and last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills created a sense of urgency on the offensive side of the ball.
"I feel like we were just coming away with these wins at the end of the game," quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters after the game. "I think it's going to spark us to have more urgency, especially at the start of football games, especially with the offense."
Kansas City had a much faster start against the Carolina Panthers, reaching 20 first-half points for the first time this season. The Chiefs held the ball for just under 20 minutes and had 16 first downs in the first half. Kansas City also scored on its first possession of the second half—something it didn't do last week.
However, the Chiefs offense did next to nothing between that and the game-winning drive. The offense stalled repeatedly in the second half and struggled to handle Carolina's heavy blitzes. It's worth noting that Kansas City signed left tackle D.J. Humphries earlier this week, which highlights the concerns the Chiefs have at the position.
It's also worth noting that Carolina's defense, which came in ranked 32nd in points allowed, hasn't been great. Kansas City also had trouble corralling Bryce Young and the Panthers' passing attack, which is alarming for a team that has leaned so heavily into its defense.
The Chiefs are in a tie for the league's best record and remain the one team that no one wants to see in the postseason. However, they also remain a team that feels beatable every single week.
Panthers Might Have Found Their QB in Bryce Young After All
Early in the season, Young was on the bench, and head coach Dave Canales was looking like another one-and-done head coach in Carolina. After Sunday's game, it's hard to envision the Panthers parting with either in the offseason.
Carolina came into Week 12 off the bye and on a two-game winning streak. Canales has his team believing in itself against the defending champs, while Young gave Panthers fans plenty of reasons to believe that he can be the future.
This was the best game we've seen from Young in the NFL, and raw statistics won't do it justice. The 2023 first overall pick was poised, accurate and on time throughout the afternoon. He also hit several big-time throws, often after buying time in the pocket or stepping up into the teeth of an aggressive pass rush.
The fact that Young (20-of-34 for 263 yards, 1 TD) had his breakthrough game against a terrific Steve Spagnuolo-coached defense can't be discounted. While the Panthers undoubtedly would have preferred to get the win, they must be thrilled with the way Young is now progressing.
A little time on the bench has served Young well, and Canales has him pointed in the right direction. If the Alabama product keeps playing like he did on Sunday, it might reopen the Young versus C.J. Stroud debate.
Miami Dolphins 34, New England Patriots 15
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Drake Maye Cannot Turn Patriots' Putrid Offense into a Unit Worth Watching
While Drake Maye has shown promise since the New England Patriots inserted him into the starting lineup, he's not a magician. He can boost the team's aerial attack, but the rookie signal-caller cannot uplift a lackluster supporting cast.
Thanks to the Bill Belichick regime, head coach Jerod Mayo inherited an offense that lacks playmakers at the skill positions. New England selected wideouts Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the second and fourth rounds of the 2024 draft, respectively, but they're still too green to contribute consistently.
Polk and tight end Austin Hooper are the only Patriot pass-catchers with multiple touchdown receptions (two) this season.
Coming into Week 12, the Patriots' ground attack ranked 21st in yards, tied for the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns.
Maye has a bright future, but the Patriots must upgrade his pass-catching group.
Dolphins' Stifling Defense Is Coming Together in Midseason Run
NFL headlines usually highlight offensive performances, and the Dolphins have scored in bunches over the last few weeks.
However, Miami's defense deserves some of the spotlight for the team's impressive play during a three-game winning streak. The Dolphins haven't allowed more than 20 points in any of their last three outings. They held the Patriots to one offensive score on Sunday.
Even more encouraging, rookie first-rounder Chop Robinson made his presence felt in the blowout victory over New England, logging four tackles, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups in his best showing of the season.
Entering Week 12, the Dolphins ranked 10th against the pass and the run. On Sunday, they didn't allow rookie signal-caller Drake Maye to provide much of a spark to the Patriots offense as he's done over the past two months.
The Dolphins offense has hit its stride, though the defense is pulling its weight as well.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, New York Giants 7
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Buccaneers' Running Back Rotation Deserves More Praise
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't have to throw a touchdown pass for his team to annihilate the New York Giants. He threw for 294 yards and ran for a touchdown, but the Buccaneers' running back group did the heavy lifting in the win.
All three Buccaneers' active running backs scored a touchdown on Sunday. Bucky Irving led the unit with 151 scrimmage yards. Rachaad White accumulated 47 scrimmage yards. Sean Tucker finished with 10 scrimmage yards.
The Buccaneers' backfield has helped the team compensate for key injuries at wide receiver, with Chris Godwin (ankle surgery) and Mike Evans (hamstring) missing significant time. The former will miss the remainder of the season.
On Sunday, Evans played well in his return, hauling in five passes for 68 yards, though the Buccaneers' three-man backfield has been a significant part of the team's offense, which is fifth in scoring and eighth in total yards.
Giants Should Start Drew Lock Next Week
The New York Giants benched and then released Daniel Jones and named Tommy DeVito their starting quarterback. He's not the bridge-gap answer going into the offseason.
DeVito threw for 189 yards and took three sacks early in the game, mostly because he held onto the ball too long. DeVito settled down in the second half, but the Buccaneers had a commanding 23-0 lead by halftime, while the Giants had generated little offensive production through two quarters.
The Giants will look for their franchise quarterback in the offseason, though in the meantime, they should start Drew Lock to inject some life into their offense.
Lock can at least push the ball downfield to help wide receiver Malik Nabers and tight end Theo Johnson develop in their first year with the team.
DeVito has more experience in head coach Brian Daboll's offense, but Lock, with more starting experience, could uplift Big Blue's struggling aerial attack.
Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Commanders 26
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Cowboys Should Run More Two-Tight-End Sets
The Dallas Cowboys have a solid tight end duo with Jake Ferguson, who missed Sunday's game because of a concussion, and Luke Schoonmaker.
Last Monday, Schoonmaker filled in for Ferguson and hauled in six passes for 56 yards, but that wasn't a fluke performance. He followed up with three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown against the Washington Commanders.
Once Ferguson passes concussion protocol, the Cowboys should pair him with Schoonmaker in more two-tight-end sets.
Jalen Tolbert is a distant No. 2 wideout behind CeeDee Lamb, and Brandin Cooks is close to a return, but Dallas can create a ton of coverage mismatches with Ferguson and Schoonmaker on the field simultaneously.
Jayden Daniel Is Still the Clear Favorite for 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Since Jayden Daniels' breakout performance in a 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the Monday Night Football spotlight, he's looked like the front-runner to win 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
However, Daniels has lost a lot of luster over the last month.
In Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, Daniels suffered a rib injury, though head coach Dan Quinn has downplayed the issue as a reason for the rookie signal-caller's recent drop-off in production.
After logging 10-plus carries in four of the first five weeks of the season, Daniels hasn't recorded double-digit rush attempts since his shortened appearance in Week 7.
Nonetheless, Daniels logged seven carries for 74 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. He also threw for a touchdown late in the game that should've helped the Commanders tie the game, but kicker Austin Seibert missed an extra-point attempt.
Seibert's botched kick aside, the Commanders did enough to get the comeback victory despite a slow start, thanks to Daniels' late-game heroics on the ground and through the air. He's still the leading candidate for top offensive rookie with Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers on his heels.
Detroit Lions 24, Indianapolis Colts 6
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Historically Good Detroit Lions Tracking Toward Franchise Record, NFC Championship
This year's Detroit Lions are rewriting the record book. With Sunday's 24-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions now own a 10-1 record for only the second time in franchise history.
To fully understand how special Detroit's start has been, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was serving his first term as the President of the United States the last time the Lions were this good. The 1934 squad—which happened to be the franchise's first in Detroit after moving from Portsmouth (Ohio)—also began the season 10-1. However, this modern incarnation has won more games over a two-season span than any other Lions squad.
Dan Campbell successfully changed the organization's culture. He and general manager Brad Holmes brought in certain philosophies, standards and schemes that are consistently translating to the field. As such, the Lions aren't just happy with a random good season, which was the team's previous modus operandi. Now, Detroit expects to win its first Super Bowl in franchise history.
The records are nice. At the same time, they won't matter if Detroit doesn't finally make it the final game with a championship on the line.
At 10-1, the Lions are the league's best team. While debatable for some, they do own the best overall record, which is vital to host opponents in the postseason.
As good as the Lions are, their next stretch of games will serve as the canary in the coal mine to prove whether they're ready for the long run. Only four of the team's initial 11 opponents held a winning record coming out of the Sunday's 1 p.m. slate of games. Whereas, three more can be found over the next six games. Those opponents don't include the rival Chicago Bears, who Detroit must place twice. Throw in the San Francisco 49ers as a difficult out as well.
The Lions should be tremendously proud. The franchise finally appears to have dragged itself out of decades of doldrums. But a different standard has now been set. Detroit looks like it's capable of holding itself to that level. Showing it is far different than saying it.
Anthony Richardson's Development Being Stunted by Surrounding Cast
Box-score scouts will look at Anthony Richardson's performance Sunday against the Detroit Lions and scoff at a 39.3 completion percentage, while not realizing how his teammates let him down.
No will argue against Richardson being a raw passer, who needs help refining his mechanics, especially under duress, to become a more accurate passer. He misses easy ones. At the same time, he makes some special throws that aren't brought in by his receivers.
As an example, the Colts could have taken the lead late in the first quarter had tight end Andrew Ogletree caught a perfect pass that would have resulted in a touchdown. Instead, he dropped the surefire score. While the drop proved to be the most egregious moment of the day in what turned out to be a disappointing Colts outing, multiple other examples from others letting down the offense can be found.
Running back Jonathan Taylor short-hopped a Statue of Liberty toss back to Richardson that threw off the entire rhythm of the play, causing the quarterback to miss an open Michael Pittman Jr. On 4th-and-8, Richardson found Josh Downs only to have the play called back by holding. Multiple other positive gains were called back because of penalties.
To realize how damaging these developments proved to be, Richardson's in-game grade was the best of his career, only to look absolutely atrocious in the box score.
Yes, Richardson can still be better. But the previous statement applies to everyone around the quarterback.
Tennessee Titans 32, Houston Texans 27
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Tennessee Titans Offense Finally Shows Promising Signs of Life
The Tennessee Titans defense is already counted among the league's best. The offense? Not so much. It's getting better, though.
A 2-8 start already caused discussions of what the Titans can do with their future top-10 draft pick, particularly addressing the quarterback position. Maybe those conversations were a tad premature.
During Sunday's 32-27 victory over the rival Houston Texans, Tennessee managed 369 total yards, or 109 more than its opponent.
Levis threw for 275 yards and two scores. Granted, his mental mistakes are glaringly obvious. In this particular case, the second-year signal-caller threw an awful pick-six to Jimmie Ward, who Levis simply didn't see in coverage. Also, the quarterback can do a much better job with his pocket movement.
The Titans surrendered eight sacks, which isn't a total surprise since Tennessee's offensive line remains a question mark. Yet, head coach Brian Callahan came across pleased with the effort.
"Up front, that's a really good rush unit," Callahan told reporters after the game. "I thought we held them in decent check for most of the game. The sacks are what they are. We can assign blame later. But they were enough to win."
At 3-8, the future is still at the forefront. However, continued improvement, particularly at two potential need areas, can significantly help the entire squad's progression if drastic change isn't necessary.
Concerns Over C.J. Stroud's Play Continues to Grow Louder
The Texans lived a charmed life last season, with a rookie quarterback who looked like a 10-year veteran leading the offense. Stroud is now experiencing somewhat of a sophomore slump. The situation needs to be acknowledged, especially when the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year admits he hasn't been as good.
"It's no secret I haven't been playing well for my standard," Stroud told reporters after the Texans' third loss in the last four games.
During that stretch, Stroud completed 56.2 percent of his passes, with six total turnovers. Sunday's contest essentially ended when Stroud tried to escape the pocket and basically worked himself into a safety.
Last year's heady, deliberate and deadly quarterback hasn't been on display as of late.
Stroud and the Texans still have time to pull out of this tailspin since they hold a two-game lead in the AFC South. An upcoming meeting with the league-worst Jacksonville Jaguars should help. If it doesn't, a much deeper dive will be needed to discover what's going wrong in Houston.
Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 27
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Sam Darnold Strengthens Case to Be Long-Term Solution as Minnesota Vikings QB
The Minnesota Vikings are in the best possible situation.
They're a winning team with legitimate postseason aspirations. They have a starting quarterback in Sam Darnold, whose career revival is one of the NFL's best stories this season. The organization also has a succession plan in place at the game's most important position whenever it wants to pull the trigger.
J.J. McCarthy, whom the Vikings selected with this year's 10th overall pick, currently fits in the out-of-sight, out-of-mind mold. His absence due to a season-ending knee injury took away any possibility of fans and even the team turning on Darnold had things not gone as well as they have. Maybe the rookie's presence could have created undue pressure for the veteran to press.
Instead, Darnold continues to show why he was once the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. The 27-year-old signal-caller was spectacular with Sunday's overtime meeting against the rival Chicago Bears on the line.
As Pro Football Focus noted, Darnold completed 11-of-13 passes for 166 yards, with two big-time throws, in the fourth quarter and overtime in Minnesota's 30-27 victory. His 330 passing yards are the second-most ever by a Vikings quarterback at Soldier Field, per the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Ben Goessling.
At this point, Minnesota's front office must be deciding how to keep Darnold beyond this season while letting McCarthy learn for a few seasons, which is ideal for the 21-year-old signal-caller. The Vikings can slow-play McCarthy's deal, much like the Green Bay Packers did with Jordan Love, by signing Darnold to an extension. A few years down the road, the transition can occur.
Right now, the 9-2 Vikings are clearly Darnold's team and should remain so.
Chicago Bears Finally Starting to See the Real Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft because of his creativity in the pocket and overall play-making ability. He hadn't played as free or loose while adjusting to the professional game. The most recent version started to look like the quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore with the USC Trojans.
Williams threw for 340 yards and two scores against the Vikings. More importantly, the lauded creativity found in his game really started to show. On multiple occasions Sunday, the rookie evaded pressure and threw dimes to his receivers.
While the Bears ended up on the wrong end of a heated overtime affair, Williams' play has been trending in this direction as of late.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 23-year-old posted a 76.2 percentage adjusted completion rate, 276 passing yards and four big-time throws against the blitz over the last two contests. He's been helped by a change in scheme after Shane Waldron's midseason firing.
Since Thomas Brown took over play-calling duties, Williams has a 70.5 completion percentage with an average of 285.5 passing yards per game. Even the most talented prospects need a good situation in which to flourish. The Bears are starting to really see those returns.
Chicago may have lost five in a row. At the same time, Williams' play is far too encouraging to view the team's current trajectory as anything but positive.
Denver Broncos 29, Las Vegas Raiders 19
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Bo Nix's 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Buzz Will Continue to Grow
In recent weeks, Bo Nix has garnered buzz as one of the top rookies in the class. NFL.com's Kevin Patra listed him as the No. 2 candidate behind Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Between Weeks 10 and 11, the Denver Broncos quarterback threw for six touchdowns and just one interception, completing 73.3 and 84.8 percent of his passes in those games.
After a slow start on Sunday, Nix found his rhythm in the second half, leading a touchdown drive on the team's second possession of the third quarter. He threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Though Caleb Williams played well in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, his recent struggles have pundits looking for Daniels' top challenger for the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Because of his position, Nix is one of the leading candidates, and his recent production justifies the buzz.
When Healthy, Aidan O'Connell Should Replace Gardner Minshew, Who's Out for the Season
Late in the fourth quarter, Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew took a sack and immediately went to the locker room, holding his shoulder. Desmond Ridder took over the offense for the final minutes of regulation.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and Mike Garafolo, Minshew broke his collarbone and will miss the remainder of the season.
As a result, the Raiders may start Ridder out of necessity. They have a short turnaround with a Black Friday Week 13 game. Backup quarterback Aidan O'Connell is still on injured reserve, recovering from a fractured thumb he suffered in Week 7.
That said, The Atheltic's Vic Tafur believes O'Connell will be ready to start on Friday.
If not, Ridder could use the Raiders' Black Friday matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs to showcase himself in an audition for a shot at a starting job next year.
Green Bay Packers 38, San Francisco 49ers 10
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Packers Can Lean on Josh Jacobs to Spark Postseason Run
The Green Bay Packers' offseason signing of running back Josh Jacobs continues to pay dividends. The 26-year-old has stepped in for Aaron Jones as the Packers' lead back and has regularly battered defenses with his dual-threat ability.
Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers was another reminder of just how special Jacobs can be.
To be fair, Jacobs (106 rushing yards, three touchdowns) was aided by a 49ers defense that had no interest in tackling him. However, he regularly generated big plays and settled the Packers offense when it was out of rhythm.
Moving forward, the Packers know they can lean on Jacobs when they need to. Sunday's win wasn't exactly a difficult one, but Green Bay has had some tough outings because quarterback Jordan Love has been turnover-prone for most of the season.
Love didn't have an interception on Sunday—his first game without one in 2024—though he did have a couple of errant throws that easily could have been picked.
Love played a big role in last year's surprising playoff run, but the Packers became truly dangerous late in the season because Jones was healthy and thriving as a focal point of the offense.
Jacobs can do the same in 2024.
Defensive Changes are in Order for the 49ers
Injuries have remained an issue for the 49ers all season, and things were no different in Week 12. San Francisco was without left tackle Trent Williams, quarterback Brock Purdy and pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
Williams was missed. Quarterback Brandon Allen, while not a complete disaster, wasn't as efficient—especially in key down-and-distance situations—as Brock Purdy has typically been. It never felt like San Francisco really had a chance in this game, though, because of bad defense.
With Bosa sidelined, San Francisco's pass rush struggled to generate pressure for most of the game. Missed tackles were a significant problem and, along with penalties, gave Green Bay far too many easy yards.
These aren't new issues for the 49ers, which entered Week 12 ranked 16th in points allowed. However, they were glaring in a game San Francisco absolutely had to have.
It may be too late in the season for the 49ers to fix much of anything defensively. At 5-6, it might not matter much if they could. However, the team has to consider making changes in the offseason if it hopes to reenter the Super Bowl picture in 2025.
Leonard Floyd has been a fine complement to Bosa this season, but San Francisco needs to find a high-end pass-rusher to play opposite Bosa long-term. The 49ers also need to think about ending the experiment with defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who has too often failed to have his unit ready for big games and big moments in 2024.
Seattle Seahawks 16, Arizona Cardinals 6
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Seahawks Now Look Like Team to Beat in Wild NFC West
The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks are now tied atop the NFC West at 6-5. The 49ers, who were routed on Sunday, and the Los Angeles Rams aren't terribly far behind.
There's still no telling how this division will shake out. However, Seattle currently looks like the biggest threat in the West.
The Seahawks have looked like a different team defensively since their Week 10 bye, which is a credit to rookie head coach—and former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator—Mike Macdonald. The defensive improvements also made Seattle dangerous.
Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba form the foundation of a fairly potent offense. That unit had some hiccups against Arizona, but a strong defensive day balanced things.
Buoyed by players like Leonard Williams (2.5 sacks), Coby Bryant (1 pick-six) and Devon Witherspoon, Seattle's defense repeatedly forced the Cardinals into game-altering mistakes. Though Arizona tallied 298 yards, it was just 3-of-12 on third downs and managed just a pair of field goals.
Seattle's defense won this game. A week ago, it did enough to allow Smith and Co. to mount a comeback against San Francisco. The Seahawks have found consistent balance, and they now have the momentum of a two-game division winning streak.
Cardinals Can't Keep Asking Kyler Murray to Play Hero Ball
Just a couple of weeks ago, it appeared Arizona was the best team in its division, thanks largely to the resurgence of quarterback Kyler Murray. The 27-year-old had seemingly returned to Pro Bowl form and was gashing defenses with his arm and his legs.
However, Sunday's game shows why simply expecting Murray to take over games is a poor plan. While this loss certainly wasn't all on the quarterback, his miscues were amplified since the Cardinals couldn't establish the run and weren't doing enough defensively.
Murray threw a critical pick while on the run that broke the game open for Seattle. He also walked himself into pressure while trying to find big plays down the field.
This was an off-game for Murray, and yet, coordinator Drew Petzing didn't alter the game plan to compensate. James Conner, Emari Demercado and Trey Benson combined for just 12 carries, while Murray scrambled twice and attempted 37 passes.
Murray can look like one of the best signal-callers in the NFL at times, but Petzing needs to make things easier for him. More screens and swing passes could help, along with a stronger commitment to the running game.
A few more designed QB scrambles wouldn't hurt either. Two rushing attempts are far too few for Murray on a day when things aren't quite clicking through the air.
With another tough road game (at Minnesota) upcoming, Petzing's strategy must be deeper than simply asking his quarterback to go out and win the game.
Philadelphia Eagles 37, Los Angeles Rams 20
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Eagles Close to Locking Up NFC East as Saquon Barkley Continues to Make MVP Argument
The Philadelphia Eagles are going to be a problem for teams down the stretch and in the postseason. The Lions have the best record in the conference and few glaring holes, but Philadelphia is equally talented and has now won seven straight games since its bye week.
The Eagles have a powerful offensive line, a physical and aggressive defensive front, a young and improving secondary and a stellar collection of offensive playmakers. Even without DeVonta Smith (hamstring), the offense pretty much raced up and down the field against the Rams on Sunday night.
Philly essentially has a three-game lead in the NFC East, thanks to its head-to-head win over the Commanders. A collapse like the one we saw last season doesn't feel likely. This team feels vastly different than the 2023 iteration, due in no small part to the presence of new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Assuming they can stay mostly healthy—cornerback Darius Slay was ruled out with a concussion on Sunday—the big question for the Eagles is whether they can catch Detroit. The other question is whether a late surge can net running back Saquon Barkley an MVP award.
Along with Moore, Barkley has helped transform Philly's offense from good to elite. We discussed how he can help spark a deep postseason run last week. After yet another stellar game, it's fair to wonder if Barkley can become the first non-quarterback MVP since Adrian Peterson won it in 2012.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen might be the early front-runner for the award, but Barkley has an argument. He entered Week 12 with a league-high 1,347 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. He added 255 rushing yards, 47 receiving yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. He also flashed his breakaway ability with two runs of 70-plus yards.
The NFL may be a quarterback-driven league, but it's easy to argue that no player has been more valuable this season than Barkley.
Rams Need Tyler Higbee Back in a Big Way
The Rams seemed to find improvement along the offensive line during last week's win against the Patriots. That marked the second game back for guard Steve Avila and a switch to Warren McClendon Jr. at right tackle.
Unfortunately, the Rams line had no answers for Philadelphia's pass rush on Sunday night. Matthew Stafford made some beautiful throws when he had time, and Kyren Williams had a respectable night running the football.
Far too often, though, Stafford didn't have time. He was sacked five times and had several other plays disrupted by rushed throws and off timing.
The Rams tried several times to bring in tight ends to help block but had little success. This is an area where the Rams really miss Tyler Higbee, who is still recovering from last year's torn ACL and MCL.
"I would say couple weeks away," head coach Sean McVay said on November 15, per Stu Jackson of the team's official website.
Getting Higbee back in the lineup will at least help boost the overall blocking. It'll also provide Stafford with another outlet receiver who can make plays in the short and intermediate areas.
Higbee caught 47 passes for 495 yards and two touchdowns last season. He isn't a big-play threat in the mold of Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp, but he is a mismatch who can help Stafford get the ball out a tick faster.
At 5-6, the Rams are far from out of the NFC West race, but the margin for error is getting thin, and there's only so much L.A. can accomplish with further shuffling along the offensive line.
Cleveland Browns 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 19
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Snowy Win Proves Browns Have Some Players...and Maybe a Quarterback
Firstly, beating the hated Steelers Thursday night is just some temporary feels for a fantastic fanbase enduring another miserable season, The 2024 Browns have been a mess, and their problems won't be easy to fix.
Secondly, Deshaun Watson should never play another snap for Cleveland. The Browns are stuck with the money and the crippling cap hits. That cost is sunk deeper than the Andrea Doria. It was the single worst personnel move in NFL history.
However, the Browns were an 11-win team a year ago with Joe Flacco. They didn't have running back Nick Chubb for most of last season or much of this one. The offensive line has been wrecked by injuries.
In Thursday's 24-19 win, though, we were reminded that this team can be good.
Edge-rusher Myles Garrett set the tone for the upset, destroying Pittsburgh's offensive line to the tune of three sacks and a forced fumble—before halftime. Chubb's yards-per-carry record this year isn't great, but he bulled his way into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
And then there's Jameis Winston.
The quarterback's numbers Thursday were hardly outstanding: 231 yards and an awful interception. But he's a capable NFL starter who can be a bridge for the rookie signal-caller the Browns will likely draft in 2025.
Cleveland's path back to contention will be tricky with the Watson contract on the books, but it isn't as far away as some might think.
Steelers Still an AFC Contender, But a Flawed One
Thursday's loss in Cleveland is hardly crippling for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they are still one up on the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North with a head-to-head win.
It's hardly time to hit the panic button, and they could still make it all the way to New Orleans and Super Bowl LIX.
But they probably won't—and the reasons why were on display Thursday night.
When Russell Wilson first took the reins at quarterback, he appeared to unlock a new dimension in the Pittsburgh offense. As more time has passed, though, it's becoming evident that he has limitations just like Justin Fields. They just aren't the same ones.
Fields isn't an especially accurate passer, while Wilson's arm talent isn't what it was. That Pittsburgh is playing both now creates a headache for opposing defenses. But, as John Madden (allegedly) once said, "If you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none."
The Steelers most assuredly don't have Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert or C.J. Stroud.
Pittsburgh's offensive line is better than it was the past few years, but better doesn't mean it's good.
Wilson will be seeing Myles Garrett in his nightmares for some time, while Pittsburgh's run game took Week 5 off. Had Fields not had a 30-yard-run, the team wouldn't even have hit the mediocre 3.5 yards per carry it did.
And again, the Steelers offense repeatedly sputtered in opposing territory. Get inside the opposing 40-yard line, and it has crumbled time and again this season.
Mike Tomlin's streak of winning seasons is safe, and Pittsburgh will all but certainly make the playoffs. But its last win in the postseason was in 2016 (well, early 2017), and that streak may well carry over into 2025.
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