NFL Week 12 breakdown: Jets made right call at QB; Broncos are a mess
NFL Week 12 is (almost) complete. Here are some of the biggest developments from Sunday's action:
- The Rams’ losing streak and their record through 11 games matches the 1987 Giants for the worst among defending Super Bowl champs.
- A gutsy two-point decision might have saved the Chargers' season.
- QB2 Mike White kept the Jets in the thick of the AFC playoff chase.
- Things are going very badly for Russell Wilson and the Broncos.
- Aaron Rodgers left the Packers' loss to the Eagles; Jordan Love threw for a TD.
Biggest moments of NFL Week 12
- Broncos defensive lineman Mike Purcell appeared to have some choice words for Russell Wilson during Sunday's loss to the Panthers.
- The Broncos' latest humiliating loss was a major boon for the NFL draft odds of the Bears and Seahawks.
- Jordan Love quickly threw for a touchdown after replacing an injured Aaron Rodgers.
- Tom Brady really didn't want the FOX camera operator anywhere near the Buccaneers' huddle during Sunday's overtime loss to the Browns.
- Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville took things to a whole new, and personal, level during Sunday's win over the Ravens.
- Rams head coach Sean McVay took a brutal hit to the face from one of his own players on the sidelines against the Chiefs.
- Commanders RB Brian Robinson wore a comically big hat after his team's win over the Falcons.
Key storylines from NFL Week 12
- Winners and losers: While the Eagles got back on track behind a powerful running game, the Ravens blew another late-game lead.
- 32 things we learned: If the NFL playoffs began today, three teams from each conference who didn't make it last year would be in the postseason field.
- Bengals show 'championship mettle' in winning ugly: After starting the season 0-2, the Bengals have won seven of their last nine games, the latest against the Titans on the road, Jarrett Bell writes.
- Gutsy two-point call might have saved Chargers' season: Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has been maligned for his aggressive play style. On Sunday, his gutsy decision paid off.
- Dolphins win, but not without injury to key player: Tua Tagovailoa was sacked four times – after tackle Terron Armstead left the game with a pectoral injury.
- Sean Taylor memorial just the latest Washington NFL team failure: In Washington's latest attempt to memorialize the safety whose life was cut short at the age of 24, the "Sean Taylor Memorial" is a disaster, Chris Bumbaca writes.
NFL Week 12 results
- Eagles 40, Packers 33: The Eagles ran all over the Packers for 363 yards, the second-highest total in franchise history.
- Chiefs 26, Rams 10: The banged-up defending Super Bowl champions have now lost five straight for the first time under head coach Sean McVay.
- 49ers 13, Saints 0: The Saints had the longest active scoring streak and fourth longest in NFL history at 332 games ... until Sunday.
- Chargers 25, Cardinals 24: A gutsy two-point decision might have saved the Chargers' season.
- Raiders 40, Seahawks 34 (OT): Josh Jacobs' 86-yard game-winning dash was reminiscent of the Raiders' Bo Jackson running untouched for a long TD against the Seahawks at the Kingdome on Nov. 30, 1987.
- Jaguars 28, Ravens 27: Trevor Lawrence executed the most impressive drive of his career as the Jaguars pulled off a stunner.
- Browns 23, Buccaneers 17 (OT): The Browns won in exciting fashion in Jacoby Brissett's final start before the return of Deshaun Watson from suspension.
- Commanders 19, Falcons 13: Washington continues to bolster its NFC wild-card playoff hopes, winning six of its last seven games.
- Jets 31, Bears 10: Zach Wilson who? Mike White was impressive in a convincing win over the Trevor Siemian-led Bears.
- Panthers 23, Broncos 10: Sam Darnold played in his first game since Jan. 9, lifting the Panthers past a bickering Broncos team.
- Bengals 20, Titans 16: Despite numerous injuries on the Bengals offense, Joe Burrow managed to use the players at his disposal against one of the NFL's best defenses.
- Dolphins 30, Texans 15: The Dolphins easily dispatched the woeful Texans, but not without losing a key player to injury.
- Vikings 33, Patriots 26 (Thanksgiving): The Vikings put last week's debacle against the Cowboys behind with a rollicking bounceback victory against the Patriots.
- Cowboys 28, Giants 20 (Thanksgiving): This Cowboys victory featured a fun whack-a-mole touchdown celebration.
- Bills 28, Lions 25 (Thanksgiving): The Lions' three-game win streak was snapped as Detroit lost for the sixth consecutive time on Thanksgiving.
The week ahead in the NFL
Monday: Week 12 wraps up with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Colts have lost seven straight to the Steelers since last winning 14 years ago.
Tuesday: Paste BN Sports' Nate Davis offers his power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 12.
Thursday: Week 13 kicks off with the New England Patriots hosting the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium (8:20 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video). Before the game, make sure to check out our expert predictions for every Week 13 game.
Talk some football!
Run a post route to our NFL Facebook Group📲, The Ruling Off the Field 🏈, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with football fans 🏟. Not a member yet? Sign up today!✍
If you enjoy reading 4th & Monday 📰, tell your football fan friends to subscribe. Follow the writer of this newsletter on Twitter @jimreineking 📱.