NFL Week 12 Recap

A Thanksgiving Hangover

Week 12 has come to a close, as we, as a nation, are still recovering from eating way too much food on Thanksgiving. After Thursday's slot of games came a jampacked Sunday filled with shockers and thumpings. With that said, let's take a look at the scores.

Falcons: 21 (5-6), Jaguars: 14 (2-9)

Final Line: ATL -1.5 Jake's Pick: ATL

TAKEAWAYS:

• On Sunday, the Falcons took advantage of Jacksonville's miscues and got a much-needed win to end their losing skid. Cordarrelle Patterson was back in the lineup, and he made his presence known throughout the game. In his first game back from injury, Patterson had 106 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. The Falcons are back in the hunt for the playoffs and currently sit in second place in the NFC South with the win.

• This game did not start well for the Jags. First, the Jaguars' mascot got stuck on the zip line on top of the stadium. Then, the game started. Jacksonville doesn't have a bad team; however, they can't seem to keep the football for very long. First-half turnovers continue to haunt the Jaguars, thus leading to significant halftime deficits that are hard to overcome. Trevor Lawrence has to start limiting his turnovers if they want to stay in games. The Jags played a solid game other than that, with most of their success coming later in the second half.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Falcons head back home for a crucial divisional matchup with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

• The Jags head out West to take on Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams.

Steelers: 10 (5-5-1), Bengals: 41 (7-4)

Final Line: CIN -3.5 Jake's Pick: CIN

TAKEAWAYS:

• The Bengals flat-out massacred the Steelers on Sunday to keep pace with Baltimore in the AFC North. RB Joe Mixon racked a career-high 165 yards and scored twice. WR Tee Higgins also played a crucial role, hauling in six catches for 114 yards and a score. Overall, a dominating win on both sides of the ball as Cincy's defense completely shut down Pittsburgh's offense.

• Only one word can describe the Steelers' season this year: pain. Steelers' fans have just about had enough of Ben Roethlisberger at QB, and at this point, it's starting to get out of hand. The Steelers got embarrassed by Cincinnati, and if you were unsure about the Steelers heading into this game, well, that game pretty much sums anything up. Not only that, but the Steelers have now lost three straight to the Bengals. If you want my opinion, this Steelers' team is dead in the water.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Bengals have a date with Justin Herbert and the Chargers next week.

• Big Ben and the Steelers don't get any easier, as they have to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens next week in a crucial divisional matchup. If they lose this game, they're out.

Buccaneers: 38 (8-3), Colts: 31 (6-6)

Final Line: TB -3.0 Jake's Pick: IND

TAKEAWAYS:

• In a wild second-half, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame a ten-point halftime deficit to upend the Colts. It felt like deja vu for Tom Brady, as he took advantage of the Colts' mistakes and capitalized. Brady wasn't his best today, but he did just enough as he tossed for 226 yards and one touchdown, and one interception. Rob Gronkowski was responsible for 123 of those yards on seven catches. However, the star of the day was Leonard "Four"nette, as the running back racked four total touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards.

• The Colts seem to have this game in the balance, but turnovers cost them that opportunity. After holding a 24-14 lead at halftime, but three-straight turnovers in the second half saw their ten-point lead quickly turn into a seven-point deficit. However, a Jonathan Taylor touchdown would tie the game at 31 with more than three minutes left -- more than enough time for Tom Brady and co. to create the perfect ending in Indy yet again. On a side note, RB Jonathan Taylor broke an NFL record by playing in nine-consecutive games with 100 or more yards from scrimmage and a rushing TD.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Bucs travel to the ATL for a divisional matchup with the Falcons.

• The Colts travel to Houston to take on the Texans in an AFC South showdown.

Panthers: 10 (5-7), Dolphins: 33 (5-7)

Final Line: CAR -1.5 Jake's Pick: MIA

TAKEAWAYS:

• The Miami Dolphins are on quite the roll as they have won their last four games. The Dolphins' defense was dominant all game, feasting off five sacks, three interceptions, and a blocked punt, which turned into a TD. QB Tua Tagovailoa was nearly perfect as he completed 27 of 31 passes for 230 yards and a TD. WR Jalen Waddle hauled in nine catches for a season-best 137 yards and a score, while RB Myles Gaskin scored on two short rushing touchdowns.

• While Tua was nearly flawless, Cam Newton turned in his worst statistical performance as a pro, finishing 5 of 21 passing for 92 yards and two interceptions. Newton did have a rushing touchdown in the first quarter, but that was it. The Panthers couldn't muster up any offense, and their defense got outplayed all game. The Panthers were beaten on all three aspects of the game and have lost back-to-back games since Cam's return.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Dolphins have a date with the New York Giants next week in hopes of continuing their streak.

• Carolina is off next week but will take on the Falcons the following week.

Titans: 13 (8-4), Patriots: 36 (8-4)

Final Line: NE -7.0 Jake's Pick: NE

TAKEAWAYS:

• The Patriots continued their winning ways as a dominant defensive performance led the team to victory. QB Mac Jones may now be the favorite to win ROTY, tossing for two touchdowns. The Patriots' defense forced four turnovers, leading to the Patriots picking up their sixth-straight win.

• While the Titans still hold an 8-4 record, their injuries on offense are starting to catch up to them. The entire Titans' offense rallied around Derrek Henry, and now that he's hurt, the Titans don't have an identity on offense, and it showed on Sunday. New England's defense bullied Tennessee all game, and QB Ryan Tannehill struggled all day. It's shaping up to be an uphill battle for the Titans the rest of the way.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Patriots have a crucial matchup against the Bills, in Buffalo, on Monday Night Football. It doesn't get any better than that.

• The Titans are off next week but will take on the Jags the following week.

Eagles: 7 (5-7), Giants: 13 (4-7)

Final Line: PHI -4.0 Jake's Pick: PHI

TAKEAWAYS:

• It was a special moment for the New York Giants, as the team retired the No. 92 jersey of Hall of Famer Michael Strahan. Fittingly enough, the Giants' defense made life miserable for the Eagles on Sunday. The defense intercepted Jalen Hurts three times, forced four turnovers, and held the Eagles to a season-low in points. Daniel Jones wasn't anything special, but he did throw for 202 yards and three touchdowns.

• The Eagles didn't get beat on Sunday; they beat themselves. Inconsistency on offense continues to be the Eagles' biggest weakness this season. Philly did have multiple chances to win late in the game, but a Boston Scott fumble ended up being the nail in the coffin. The Eagles have a chance to rebound next week against the New York Jets.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Giants will head to Miami to take on the surging Dolphins.

• The Eagles travel to East Rutherford for a showdown with the New York Jets.

Jets: 21 (3-8), Texans: 14 (2-9)

Final Line: HOU -2.5 Jake's Pick: HOU

TAKEAWAYS:

• The New York Jets ended their losing-skid by beating the Texans in Zach Wilson's return. Wilson threw for 145 yards and ran in a touchdown in his return from a sprained right knee. The win on Sunday ended a three-game losing streak for the Jets.

• The offense shut down entirely after Tyrod Taylor scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to put the Texans up 14-3. The Jets scored 17 answered, and Taylor couldn't move the ball. Overall, this game was hard to watch.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Jets have a date with the Philadelphia Eagles.

• Houston will play host to the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South matchup.

Chargers: 13 (6-5), Broncos: 28 (6-5)

Final Line: LAC -2.5 Jake's Pick: LAC

TAKEAWAYS:

• Denver's defense was the story in this one, as CB Patrick Surtain II had two interceptions, including a 70-yard pick-six, helping the Broncos win a crucial game at home. Despite the Broncos' offense getting riddled with injuries, the defense came up big for them and gave the offense a much-needed cushion. The big win for the Broncos sets up an exciting primetime matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs next week.

• "Sometimes you play football, and other times, football plays you." That quote pretty much sums up the Los Angeles Chargers this season. Despite moving the ball on offense, the Chargers could only manage 13 points. QB Justin Herbert finished 28 of 44 for 303 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. With the loss, the Chargers find themselves in a three-way tie for second place in the AFC West, and they afford to lose many more games.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Broncos have a tough test on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on SNF.

• The Chargers will look to get back on track as they head to Cincy to take on a challenging Bengals team.

Rams: 28 (7-4), Packers: 36 (9-3)

Final Line: LAR -1.5 Jake's Pick: GB

TAKEAWAYS:

• A toe injury could not stop Aaron Rodgers from putting together another masterful performance. Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score in the Packers' 36-28 victory over the Rams. Considering he didn't practice all week, I'd say he did alright. In my opinion, the Green Bay Packers are the best team in the NFC because of Aaron Rodgers.

• Despite Odell Beckham Jr. scoring his first touchdown as a Ram, they fell short, losing their third-straight game. Turnovers continue to be the story for the Rams, turning it over three times which led to the Packers scoring 16 points off turnovers. Matthew Stafford went 21 of 38 for 302 with three touchdowns. However, he lost a fumble to set up a touchdown and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Stafford has now thrown an interception in three-straight games.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Packers are off this week but take on the Bears the following week.

• The Rams will head back home to take on the Jags as they look to end their skid.

Vikings: 26 (5-6), 49ers: 34 (6-5)

Final Line: SF -4.0 Jake's Pick: SF

TAKEAWAYS:

• The Niners continue to play solid football by picking up their third-straight win on Sunday. The Niners' formula of dominating the ground game is why they have emerged as a heavy contender in the NFC. Deebo Samuel rushed for two touchdowns before leaving the injury, and Elijah Mitchell rushed for 133 yards and a score. QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 230 yards and a touchdown, but the Niners did most of their work on the ground.

• Losing close games like this seems to be what the Vikings are becoming known for, as they couldn't make enough points down the stretch. The game itself was entertaining, which saw six scores in the third quarter alone. Overall, it was a battle between .500 teams that are better than what their record shows. QB Kirk Cousins threw for 238 yards and two TDs to Adam Thielen. But he did throw an interception, which ended up leading to a Niners TD. To make matters worse, RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) left the game in the third quarter and will miss extended time. However, Cook will not miss the rest of the season.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Niners head to Seattle for a divisional matchup with the Seahawks.

• The Vikings will travel to Detroit to take on the winless Lions.

Browns: 10 (6-6), Ravens: 16 (8-3)

Final Line: BAL -3.0 Jake's Pick: BAL

TAKEAWAYS:

• In one of the worst primetime games I've ever watched, the Ravens edged out the Browns in a game filled with sloppy football. It was not an enjoyable game to watch as in the final three minutes of the half, both teams committed five turnovers. Despite four interceptions from Lamar Jackson, the Ravens were able to edge out a victory. The game's play ended up coming in the third quarter as Jackson scrambled out of the pocket to find TE Mark Andrews for a 13-yard touchdown. The win on Sunday Night gives the Ravens the best record in the AFC and keeps them in first place in the AFC North.

• Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns are banged-up on the offensive side of the ball. With Baker Mayfield dealing with multiple injuries, the Browns are struggling to get anything going on offense. Despite Mayfield being able to suit up, he is starting to become a liability out there. The game also marked the first game for Kareem Hunt after missing the last couple of weeks due to an injury. The good news is that the Browns have their bye week so that they can heal their wounds. However, they have to play Ravens, yet again, the following week.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• The Ravens will take on the Steelers in a high-stakes divisional matchup.

• The beaten and battered Browns will get their well-deserved rest next week but will have to take on the Ravens again the following week.

Seahawks: 15 (3-8), WFT: 17 (5-6)

Final Line: SEA -1.5 Jake's Pick: WFT

TAKEAWAYS:

• The Washington Football notched their third win in a row on Monday by defeating the Seattle Seahawks. It seemed like it would be an uphill battle from the start after K Joey Slye injured his hamstring late in the second quarter on an extra point attempt that was blocked and returned for two points. I've got to give credit to Washington's defense, who has played some solid football in the past couple of weeks. Kendall Fuller's interception on Seattle's two-point attempt sealed the victory for Ron Rivera's squad. QB Taylor Heinicke finished with 223 yards and a TD and an INT, while RB Antonio Gibson rushed for 111 yards on 29 carries. The win puts Washington into the Final Wildcard spot in the NFC.

• As for Seattle, the loss likely ended their hopes for any longshot playoff bid. QB Russell Wilson was 20 of 31 for 247 and two touchdowns but was inaccurate on many throws. Wilson has now lost three consecutive games for the first time as the Seahawks' starting quarterback. Not only that, but I feel that HC Pete Carroll's job is likely in jeopardy following the loss. The Seattle Seahawks are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

WHAT'S NEXT:

• Washington will travel to Sin City next weekend for a date with the Las Vegas Raiders.

• The Seahawks will look to win next weekend when they take on the surging San Francisco 49ers.

Jake Klausner covers all things sports for ThePyrrhic.com. Keep your eyes peeled for NFL Analysis, World Series Recaps, and more from Jake. Follow him on Twitter @jake_klausner Want more US Sports content? Check this out:

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