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How many penalties?! Cowboys frustrated by flurry of flags. Plus, looking ahead to weekend games.


Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones decried the implications for the league. Rookie linebacker Micah Parsons lamented, "We should be playing football, not tag."

The Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders combined for 28 penalties for 276 yards lost during their Thanksgiving showdown. The flurry of flags overshadowed a thrilling game that saw the Cowboys overcome an 11-point second-half deficit to force overtime before the Raiders prevailed 36-33.

"This probably will be arguably the most-watched game other than the Super Bowl, and I hated that it got down to just throwing the ball up and getting your penalties to get your big plays," Jones said. "This is not a criticism of the rules. It is a criticism of the discretion of how you use them."

About last night: Raiders 36, Cowboys 33 (OT) — Las Vegas coughed up an 11-point second-half lead before prevailing in the extra period on Daniel Carlson's 29-yard field goal. The Raiders moved to 6-5 and maintained position in the AFC playoff race, while the Cowboys lost for the third time in four games.

Bills 31, Saints 6 — Buffalo took care of business against an injury-depleted New Orleans team with a dominant defensive effort. A week after getting gouged in a blowout loss, the Bills limited the Saints to 190 yards of offense and 12 first downs.

Bears 16, Lions 14 — Andy Dalton directed an 18-play drive over the final eight-plus minutes to put Chicago in position for the game-winning field goal on the final play. Detroit, the NFL's only winless team at 0-10-1, has now lost on a last-second field goal three times this season, and first-year head coach Dan Campbell is losing the benefit of the doubt.

Game of the week: Rams at Packers — Two of the NFC's best meet at Lambeau Field in a matchup that could have implications on the playoff race. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expects to play despite a fracture toe that may need surgery during Green Bay's bye week. Starting running back Aaron Jones is also in line to return from a knee injury for the Packers.

Sneaky-good game of the week: Buccaneers at Colts — Jonathan Taylor vaulted himself into the MVP discussion with a monster 185-yard, four-touchdown game last week in the Colts' upset win at Buffalo. Tom Brady and the Bucs snapped a two-game losing streak and have the top-ranked run defense that could slow Taylor.

NFL Week 12: Picks, analysis and more

Week 12 predictions: Paste BN Sports' panel of experts have made prognostications for every game this weekend.

Teams, players and coaches under pressure: The final stretch of season will prove crucial to several franchises looking to mount a playoff push.

TD antics embraced: The Cowboys' Salvation Army red kettle has become a Thanksgiving tradition.

'Get it off the table': Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon says macaroni and cheese is disgusting.

It's not 'COVID toe': Packers QB Aaron Rodgers says he has a fractured toe, but will play Sunday and consider having surgery during the bye week.

Giving thanks: The one thing that each NFL team should be thankful for at Thanksgiving.

Power rankings: See how all 32 teams stack up heading into Week 12. The Cardinals are back on top, but Chiefs and Patriots are taking aim at NFC's loosening grip on top five.

Fantasy football: Get your lineup right

Our fantasy football experts have valuable advice to get the most out of your lineup.

Fantasy rankings for Week 12: For your convenience, these position-by-position rankings were updated for this week's games.

Studs, duds and sleepers: Here are some key players to know going into Week 12. Panthers QB Cam Newton might have another big day against a vulnerable Dolphins defense.

Fantasy stock watch: After stellar back-to-back performances, Randy Moss comparisons may not be too far off for Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson.

NFL Week 12 schedule

Bye week: Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals

Thursday

Chicago Bears 16, Detroit Lions 14

Las Vegas Raiders 36, Dallas Cowboys 33 (OT)

Buffalo Bills 31, New Orleans Saints 6

Sunday

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

New York Jets at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)

Monday

Seattle Seahawks at Washington Football Team, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

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