Written by Brendon Donohoe
The Patriots have finally been dethroned, as the loss to the Broncos Sunday night has opened Pandora’s Box. The Patriots look vulnerable, and the rest of the AFC smells blood in the water. If the Patriots can’t figure a way to plug the holes, then the top of the AFC is about to get real hectic.
Now on to your week 12 recap.
New York Giants – 14, Washington Redskins – 20
Let’s kick off this recap in the division that nobody apparently wants to win.
The Redskins are atop the division, despite being the popular pick to finish last in the division going into the season. The two biggest takeaways for the Redskins? Kirk Cousins didn’t turn the ball over, and when Kirk doesn’t turn the ball over, the Redskins win. The other takeaway is the Redskins are now 5-1 at home, and 0-5 away. The Redskins have 3 of their 5 final games away. That would sound like a very bad sign if it weren’t for the fact all of those games are against teams with a record below .500.
Not much to say for the Giants other than what a blown opportunity this game was. If there is any bright side to this game for the Giants it’s to show just stupidly good ODB is. I mean c’mon, how many people in the world can do that?
Oakland Raiders – 24, Tennessee Titans – 21
In a battle between offense and defense, it was offense that won. The Raiders lethal passing game did just enough against a talented Titans defense to get the win.
The Raiders receiving core might have transformed from a duo into a trio after a breakout game from Seth Roberts, who had over 100 yards receiving and 2 TDs. Despite Roberts’ breakout game, it was his teammate Amari Cooper who got the headlines as he made team history. Cooper now holds the team record for most receiving yards by a rookie.
Buffalo Bills – 22, Kansas City Chiefs – 30
Around the half way point in the 2nd, the Bills were up 10-0, and had out-gained the bills 202-29. At this point you would be thinking to yourself, ‘The Bills have this. They’re just flat-out dominating right now.’ Then the Chiefs remembered they were playing football and went on a Jeremy Maclin led rampage. Maclin torched the Bills for 160 yards and a TD. Spencer Ware and Travis Kelce also chipped in on the rampage, combining for over another 160 yards and a TD each. Hit the Quan Travis.
This matchup is going to be key in determining who makes the playoffs. For the Bills, this game was critical to their playoff hunt. The loss sets the Bills a game below .500, and will have to win the majority of their remaining games to have any chance at making the playoffs. As for the Chiefs, the win marked their 5th straight win, and with a very easy remaining schedule, the Chiefs look like a lock to win the first wild card spot in the AFC.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 12, Indianapolis Colts – 25
When did Matt Hasselbeck find the fountain of youth? The 40 year old QB is now 4-0 as a starter this season, and has looked very impressive throughout the season. He may not be able to throw darts these days, but he more than makes up for it with smarts and accuracy. He’s playing like an old, but not to old, Peyton. Is it strange that I think it might be a better idea if Hasselbeck starts the rest of the year, even after Luck is back?
As for the Bucs, it was tale of two halves. In the first half the running game played well, and the passing game didn’t. That flip-flopped in the second half, as the running game struggled, and the passing game thrived. This offense isn’t good enough yet for the running and passing game to be out of sync.
New Orleans Saints – 6, Houston Texans – 24
The New Orleans Saints are just not a good football team. A historically bad defense, a poor offensive line, a declining QB (who is still really good), a wide receiving core that may not be as good as we thought, and a slightly above average running game. This team will be lucky to win two more games.
The Texans on the other hand don’t get the credit they deserve. The entire team has done a full 180 since the beginning of the season. The defense has looked great as of late, DeAndre Hopkins has become one of the top receivers in the NFL, Alfred Blue had done an admirable job replacing Arian Foster, and Brian Hoyer is having a career year. A tough remaining schedule may keep the Texans out of the playoffs, but the future is bright in Houston.
Minnesota Vikings – 20, Atlanta Falcons – 10
I still don’t know what happened to Matt Ryan. Did the Panthers kidnap him after the Falcons went 5-0 and replaced with a mediocre imposter? Is his new pregame meal a bottle of Jack Daniels? Was the ice in his veins replaced with jello? These are the questions we need answers to.
While watching Matt Ryan play these days is like watching a Lamborghini crash on loop, watching Adrian Peterson is like watching Dom Torretto and Brian O’Conner driving through the streets of Rio with an enormous safe attached to their car. Fast, destructive, and glorious. He is the alpha and omega of the Vikings offense.
St. Louis Rams – 7, Cincinatti Bengals – 31
Get out in front early. Shut down Todd Gurley. Profit.
The Rams passing game is not a threat whatsoever. If the Rams have to throw, its game over. In their matchup with the Bengals, Gurley was shut down, Bengals scored early, and Nick Foles crumbled. The Rams might be better off just snapping the ball only to Tavon Austin at this point.
Rams struggles are the Bengals gain, who got a much needed bounce back win.
San Diego Chargers – 31, Jacksonville Jaguars – 25
Chargers may have won, but both teams lost.
For the Jaguars, a win would have put them in contention for the division crown. Unfortunately, those playoffs hopes look squashed after the loss.
For the Chargers, the win moves them farther away from the top of the draft. I am I big believer that if you are not going to make the playoffs, then you should tank. Get a high draft pick and prep for next season. A win here does nothing for this team other than hurt them come April.
I will say this. Phillip Rivers is one of the most underappreciated QBs I have ever seen. Rivers put in another great game (reaching a few career milestones too), while having next to nothing in terms of weapons. The man deserves some love.
Miami Dolphins – 20, New York Jets – 38
The AFC playoff landscape continues to take shape. Jets moved back into contention status, while the Dolphins look all but officially out. The Jets offense scorched the Dolphins defense, as the newly shaven Fitzpatrick put up 4 TDs on his away to re-securing the job as starter. Fitz may not have had quite the performance without Brandon Marshall, who lit up his former team for 131 yards and 2 TDs.
Arizona Cardinals – 19, San Francisco 49ers – 13
Yes the Cardinals won (no surprise there), but did Blaine Gabbert really just outplay Carson Palmer? Is this real life?
Pittsburgh Steelers – 30, Seattle Seahawks – 39
With playoff implications on the line, the Steelers and Seahawks had one of the finest 4th quarter duals of the year. After finally taking the lead late in the game, the Seahawks forced the Steelers into a 4th and three in Seahawks territory. The Steelers would settle for a field goal, and hope the defense could stop the Seahawks. Settling for the field goal will prove to be the poor decision as the Seahawks scored on the next drive. The Steelers attempted an unlikely comeback down 9 with 2 mins to go, but Big Ben suffered a concussion and left the game.
The win here for the Seahawks puts them in a good spot to win the 2nd wild card spot in the NFC. As for the Steelers, their playoff hopes took a major hit. With the injury to Big Ben, and a tough remaining schedule, the Steelers odds are not in their favor.
New England Patriots – 24, Denver Broncos – 30
You may recall a few weeks when I said that all of the injuries that the Patriots have suffered throughout the season would finally catch up to ‘em, and it would result in the Patriots losing at least a game. Well here we are. Missing Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Nate Solder, Jamie Collins, and for most of the game, Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots just couldn’t live up to their “next man up” motto. One positive to take away for the Patriots? The Gronk injury doesn’t appear nearly as bad as it looked.
As for the Broncos, they did it. They dethroned the king. Brock Osweiler won the first match of the soon to be great rivalry of Brady-Osweiler, and should be a lock to be the starter for the rest of the year.
BONUS ROUND
MNF Record: 6-4
Baltimore Ravens – 16, Cleveland Browns – 31
I may not agree with the decision to bench Johnny Manziel, but if there was ever a game to ease Josh McCown back in the job, it would be this one. No Flacco, no Forsett, and a poor pass defense is a recipe for disaster. Browns win big. I can’t believe I just said that.
Come back next week for the Week 13 recap.
