Afrigather NFL Week 12 bought off to a roaring begin with a Thanksgiving tripleheader, adopted by the league’s first Black Friday game.
Issues are fairly fascinating after Thursday’s outcomes: The Cowboys and Packers helped their playoff positioning with spectacular victories over the Commanders and Lions, respectively, and the 49ers strengthened their standing atop the NFC West by beating the Seahawks.
In the meantime, desperation is setting in for struggling groups. Two extra coordinators, Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada and Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, have been fired this week. Will these last-ditch efforts change something over the following six weeks?
Buckle up for an additional spherical of intense competitors. Listed below are 5 of probably the most compelling storylines to comply with for the rest of this weekend’s motion. (Discover the NFL Week 12 schedule here.)
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1. Hotly contested divisional battles
Six of the week’s remaining 12 video games are divisional showdowns, together with Saints at Falcons, Steelers at Bengals, Rams at Cardinals, Chiefs at Raiders and Bears at Vikings. However maybe probably the most intriguing divisional matchup is in Houston, the place the Texans host the Jaguars.
Jacksonville leads the AFC South with a 7-3 document, however the 6-4 Texans can take a big — and stunning — step towards a division crown with a victory on Sunday. They already shocked the Jaguars in Week 3 with a 37-17 victory, and a season sweep would transfer them right into a tie with Jacksonville for first within the division with six video games remaining. The Texans would, nevertheless, maintain the head-to-head tiebreaker. In the meantime, a Jaguars win would put the Texans two video games again, and Houston wouldn’t have any key tiebreakers.
The Texans enter this sport driving a three-game shedding streak, however the odds-makers have been projecting them as 1.5-point home underdogs. Can DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud and firm proceed their spectacular march? Or will Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars rise to the event? (Jaguars at Texans, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)
2. Denver Broncos’ turnaround
Don’t look now, however the Broncos (5-5) are one of many hottest groups within the NFL, driving a four-game profitable streak as they enter Sunday’s matchup with the visiting Browns. The Browns (7-3) are offensively challenged due to Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder surgical procedure, however they do nonetheless boast one of the vital dominant defenses within the league. Meaning Russell Wilson and Sean Payton’s offense will obtain a really powerful take a look at.
This may function an excellent measuring stick for the Broncos, as a result of in the event that they’re capable of nonetheless function successfully against this Cleveland defense, we’ll know that Wilson (seven touchdowns, zero interceptions throughout this four-game win streak) is certainly again, and that Denver’s playoff hopes are legit. The Broncos would have a protracted option to go, however a victory would characterize one other enormous step in the best route. (Browns at Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday.)
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3. One other measuring stick sport
Bills–Eagles regarded like a possible Tremendous Bowl preview when the schedule got here out in Could, however at 6-5, it’s onerous to view Buffalo as a top-level contender. A win over the 9-1 Eagles — maybe probably the most well-rounded group within the league — would assist restore the Payments’ billing as one of many favorites to compete for a Lombardi Trophy.
Beating Philadelphia will probably be difficult. The Eagles boast a balanced offensive assault and a deep and versatile protection. The Payments are likely to get off to sluggish begins (averaging 12.6 factors per first half) and that would put even higher strain on quarterback Josh Allen, who leads the NFL in landing passes (22) but in addition has thrown a season-high 12 interceptions. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles aren’t flawless, however they’re resilient and may rapidly change the tone of the video games with their big-play functionality. They simply delivered an impressive comeback victory over the Chiefs, and one other assertion victory over a projected AFC energy may strengthen their case as Super Bowl favorites. (Payments at Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.)
4. Chargers’ tall job
After yet another disappointing defeat, Chargers coach Brandon Staley bought testy when requested whether or not he would flip over defensive play-calling duties to an assistant. The Chargers, who’re 4-6 and in final place within the AFC West, are ranked thirty first in yards allowed and twenty fourth in factors allowed. With every defeat, it seems it’s a matter of when, and never if, Staley will probably be fired.
Staley can, nevertheless, earn himself some short-term reduction if he can discover a option to beat the AFC-leading Ravens. Staley’s protection should cease MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, who ranks among the many league leaders in completion proportion and passer ranking whereas additionally averaging 9.2 yards per dashing try. Jackson will probably be with out his high goal, tight finish Mark Andrews, who is probably going carried out for the season with a cracked fibula. Huge receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor and tight finish Isaiah Likely should step up. (Ravens at Chargers, 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday.)
5. Playoff image
With November drawing to an in depth, the playoff race is shaping as much as be a tense combat to the end in each the AFC and the NFC. If the season ended this week, the NFC seeding would seem like this: 1. Philadelphia, 2. San Francisco, 3. Detroit, 4. New Orleans, 5. Dallas, 6. Minnesota, 7. Seattle. The AFC discipline would function 1. Miami, 2. Baltimore, 3. Kansas Metropolis, 4. Jacksonville, 5. Cleveland, 6. Houston, 7. Pittsburgh.
However this weekend’s outcomes may shake up the order. The Saints lead the NFC South however, at 5-5, discover themselves on shaky floor, particularly if the Falcons (who’ve turned back to Desmond Ridder at QB) pull off the win of their rivalry matchup this week. The 4-6 Rams, who face the Cardinals this week, are shut. Can they power their manner into the thick of issues?
As talked about, Houston may overtake Jacksonville with a win. And Denver may launch itself into the AFC image with one other victory.
Pittsburgh and Cleveland are among the many AFC groups with probably the most uncertain footing. The Browns’ quarterback scenario (will rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson stay the starter, or will newly signed Joe Flacco knock off sufficient rust to save lots of the season?) may doom their hopes. The Steelers hope Canada’s firing offers Kenny Pickett and his teammates a jolt.
(Pictures of Josh Allen, Myles Garrett and Russell Wilson: Maddie Meyer, Nick Cammett and Justin Edmonds / Getty Photos)
