The week earlier than Thanksgiving brings us six groups on the bye. However, there was lots of motion in what went down as a pivotal week within the NFL. So, how did the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and the Carolina Panthers (amongst others) fare in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season?
The Chaotic Cowboys and Commanders
This season of the NFC East is barely totally different from earlier years. As regular, the Philadephia Eagles are good, and the New York Giants are horrible (which can be an understatement). Nonetheless, the usually on-form Dallas Cowboys have struggled this 12 months and are available into their recreation with divisional rivals the seven-win Washington Commanders with a 3-7 report. Might they get the upset right here, or will Jayden Daniels’ sturdy rookie season proceed?
The Cowboys had the opening possession of the sport and had been in a position to do one thing with it. Ranging from their 35-yard line, the Dallas offense, led by quarterback Cooper Rush, made their method right down to the Commanders’ 17-yard line. Right here the drive would stall, organising a 35-yard subject aim try from Brandon Aubrey, who has been one of many vibrant spots this season for the Cowboys. His subject aim was blocked.
The Commanders would even have a subject aim try from 41 yards out on the next drive. However not like the Cowboys, kicker Austin Seibert was in a position to make it. Aubrey made one other try on the subsequent drive, which was unsuccessful once more.
The errors saved coming for the Cowboys, as they fumbled the ball on their subsequent drive, giving possession away. Nonetheless, Washington was unable to do something with this.
We then had a half interval the place neither may get something happening offense. This was for many of the second quarter, whose spotlight was an interception thrown by Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. However the Cowboys couldn’t do something with this.
Dallas was in a position to put some factors on the board simply earlier than halftime when Aubrey was profitable from 46 yards out. Nonetheless, this try solely occurred as a result of Rush’s interception a couple of performs earlier than was fumbled and recovered by the Cowboys.
This meant that the scores can be tied 3-3 at halftime.
The Commanders would be capable of begin the second half sturdy. On a drive that began on their 40-yard line, Daniels and firm made their method right down to the Cowboys’ 17-yard line. From right here, the quarterback discovered the endzone for the dashing landing. Nonetheless, Seibert missed the PAT.
In response to this, the Cowboys would lastly be capable of put collectively one thing on offense. They made their method right down to the Commanders’ six-yard line, and right here, Rush discovered Jalen Tolbert for the landing cross. The PAT was profitable, giving Dallas a slim lead.
We had one other interval throughout which not a lot occurred, however that solely ready us for the next craziness.
The Cowboys elevated their lead quickly after with a profitable subject aim from Aubrey. Then, on the reply, Daniels discovered John Bates for a 13-yard cross. Nonetheless, Bates fumbled the ball on the Commanders’ 44-yard line, and the Cowboys scooped this up.
They may take full benefit of this, shifting down the shortened subject to the 22-yard line. Right here, Rush discovered Luke Schoonmaker for the landing cross. In response to this, Washington discovered the endzone on their subsequent drive when Daniels discovered Zach Ertz for a four-yard landing cross. The Commanders then tried a two-point conversion, which was profitable. This lower the Cowobys’ result in three factors.
However, this didn’t final lengthy as on a weird play, KaVontae Turpin muffed the catch on the kickoff. He then recovered the ball, did a spin for some motive, after which ran down the sphere into the Washington endzone for a 99-yard landing. The most effective the Commanders may do in reply to this was a subject aim, placing them seven factors behind Dallas.
Quickly after, this turned a one-point recreation, as Daniels discovered Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard landing cross. The Commanders then tried a two-point conversion, which might have given them the lead with 20 seconds left within the recreation, however this was unsuccessful.
We aren’t completed there. With the sport on the road and the group needing possession, Washington tried an onside kick. This went straight into the arms of the Cowboys, who proceeded to seek out the endzone on the return, strengthening their result in eight factors with 14 seconds left.
This gave Washington sufficient time to attain a Hail Mary landing (which Daniels has already completed this season) and a profitable two-point conversion. Nonetheless, the try was intercepted on the Cowboy’s five-yard line.
The Dallas Cowboys had defeated the Washington Commanders 34-26.
After a poor exhibiting within the first three quarters, each groups awoke and performed a really entertaining fourth quarter, that would have gone both method. The win will assist Dallas have some satisfaction this season, and their report improves to 4-7. As for the Commanders, this can be a missed alternative to realize some floor on the Eagles, and so they fall to 7-5.
Subsequent week, the Cowboys play their annual Thursday Thanksgiving recreation, this 12 months in opposition to the New York Giants, whereas the Commanders face the Tennessee Titans.
And, with regards to the Titans.
A Titan Upset
The Houston Texans have struggled regardless of their complete win over the Dallas Cowboys final week. However they’re nonetheless the most effective group within the AFC South. This week, they confronted the long-time struggling Tennessee Titans. Would we see one other upset on this recreation?
The Texans had the opening possession of the sport, and they might be capable of get the sport’s opening factors from it. On the primary play of the sport, the Texans had been already into the Titan’s pink zone resulting from a superb return on the kicker. Right here, quarterback C.J. Stroud discovered C Stover for a 19-yard landing cross.
In response to this, the Titans had been additionally in a position to get some factors on the board. The Will Levis lead offense went right down to the Texans’ 33-yard line, the place the drive would stall. Right here, Nick Folks made a 51-yard subject aim.
The Titans had been in a position to take the lead on their subsequent drive. Ranging from their 11-yard line, the offense acquired right down to the Texans’ 38-yard line. Then, Levis discovered Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a 38-yard landing cross. Tennessee prolonged their shock lead on their subsequent drive, which resulted in a 10-yard dashing landing from Tony Pollard.
The Texans would return to the sport on their subsequent drive when Stroud discovered Nico Collins for a five-yard landing cross. Issues acquired higher for them quickly after, as Levis fumbled the ball on the sting of the Texans’ pink zone. The unfastened ball was recovered by Houston, who transformed this right into a subject aim.
Nonetheless, issues didn’t finish effectively for them, as earlier than halftime, Stroud’s cross was intercepted by the Tennessee protection, who lined in a position to flip their new possession into three factors, as Folks’s kick discovered the uprights on the stroke of halftime.
This meant the Titans had a 20-17 lead over the Texans going into the break.
The Titans may lengthen their lead on the primary drive of the second half by a 51-yard subject aim from Folks. Nonetheless, Tennessee was fortunate this occurred, as Levis fumbled the ball on the play earlier than, however was in a position to get better the ball.
Just a few drives later, the Texans made one other mistake when Stroud threw one other interception. However Levis did the identical on his subsequent drive, and this error was much more pricey because the Texans’ protection returned the ball to the endzone for a Decide-six landing. This gave Houston a one-point lead going into the fourth Quarter.
The Texans prolonged this lead quickly after when kicker Kai’imi Fairbairn efficiently made a 54-yard subject aim.
However, this lead didn’t final lengthy. On the opening play of the subsequent drive, Levis discovered Chig Okonkwo for a 70-yard landing cross. This put them three factors forward, however with two minutes left of the sport, Fairbairn may stage the scores once more.
He missed from 28 yards out, however the Titans shortly punted the ball away, giving the Texans one other likelihood to take the sport to additional time or perhaps even win it.
Nonetheless, this drive didn’t work out. From their eight-yard line, Houston was compelled again to their one-yard line. Then, in an error {that a} participant of his high quality shouldn’t be making, he stepped into the endzone with the ball in possession. This was security and solely confirmed the Titans’ 32-27 win.
There may be at all times some significance when these two groups play. In fact, it was Tennessee the place the Houston Oilers moved to and later turned the Titans. This recreation will likely be one other iconic recreation between these two, not just for the Titans’ shocking victory. The win takes Tennessee to a 3-8 report. For Houston, the minor battle continues as they fall to 7-5.
Subsequent week, Tennessee faces the Washington Commanders, whereas the Texans play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Vikings Depart it Late
Within the ultra-competitive NFC North division, each win in opposition to your divisional rival is one step nearer to successful the division and making the playoffs, though there could also be a powerful likelihood that three groups from the division will make the postseason. Considered one of these is the Minnesota Vikings, who’re having a incredible season with a quarterback they weren’t anticipating to achieve success with and even play this season. They confronted the Chicago Bears, who’re out of the race however can nonetheless trigger an upset.
Whereas the Vikings didn’t have the sport’s opening possession, they made the primary error concerning their opening drive. The offense, led by Sam Darnold, was in a position to make its method right down to the Bears’ one-yard line. A landing was inches away. Nonetheless, Aaron Jones would fumble the ball, which the Bears scooped up. Fortunately for Minnesota, the Bears couldn’t do a lot with this possession.
However Chicago was profitable on its subsequent drive. The Bears offense, led by Caleb Williams, shortly made its method right down to the Vikings’ one-yard line. From right here, Roschon Johnson discovered the endzone for the sport’s opening landing.
This lead didn’t final lengthy, as on the next drive, the Vikings reached the two-yard line in two performs. From right here, Darnold discovered Jordan Addison for the landing cross. The Bears did attempt to retake their lead on the subsequent drive, however this ended with a blocked subject try by Cairo Santos from 48 yards out.
Minnesota widened their lead on the subsequent drive when Darnold discovered Jalen Nailor for a five-yard landing cross. Then, on the stroke of halftime, Chicago would be capable of rating a 49-yard subject aim.
This meant that because the groups returned to the locker rooms, the Vikings had a 14-10 lead over the Bears.
The Vikings would be capable of add to their lead on the opening drive of the second half. Darnold and firm moved the offense right down to the Bears’ 22-yard line, the place the drive would stall. This arrange a 40-yard subject aim from kicker John Parker Romo (no relation to former Dallas Cowboys and present CBS Commentator Tony Romo). He was profitable with this kick.
The lead was elevated a couple of drives later when Jones discovered the endzone for a two-yard dashing landing.
As the sport entered the fourth quarter, it regarded just like the Vikings would win. Nonetheless, the Bears had been in a position to get themselves again within the recreation early within the fourth when Caleb Williams discovered DJ Moore for a ten-yard landing cross. Chicago then tried a two-point conversion, which failed. The Vikings acquired one thing in response to maintain their lead large, a subject aim from 26 yards out.
However, now, the momentum had come over to the Bears, who discovered the endzone once more on their subsequent drive. Williams discovered Keenan Allen for the landing cross from the Vikings’ one-yard line. They once more tried the two-point conversion, and this time it was profitable. This made it a three-point recreation with 22 seconds left on the clock.
The Bears tried an onside kick to maintain maintain of possession. This labored, and now they needed to get into subject aim territory. Chicago made it right down to the Vikings’ 30-yard line, and as time ran out, Cairo Santos efficiently made a 48-yard subject aim. This tied the scores, which means that the sport was going to additional time.
The Bears had the primary possession of additional time however couldn’t do something with it. This meant that each one the Vikings needed to do was rating a subject aim and victory can be theirs. Their drive began on their 21-yard line, and Darnold slowly led his offense down the sphere to the Bears’ 11-yard line. Right here, Romo made a 29-yard subject aim to provide the Minnesota Vikings a 30-27 additional time win over the Chicago Bears.
If it was not for the Bears’ fourth-quarter comeback, they might not have stood an opportunity. In actuality, it felt like they had been by no means going to win the sport, with the additional time interval simply delaying the formality of the Minnesota win. The win improves the Vikings to 9-2 on the season and places them proper on the tails of the Detroit Lions. Defeat provides the Bears a 4-7 report, which all however mathematically takes them out of the race for the divisional title.
Subsequent week, the Vikings face the Arizona Cardinals, whereas the Bears face the Detroit Lions.
Almost One other Loss
Final week, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs suffered their first-season defeat in opposition to the Buffalo Payments. This week, they confronted the Carolina Panthers, who’re totally rested after their win in Germany two weeks in the past. On paper, this must be a straightforward take a look at. However the recreation just isn’t performed on paper, and something can occur.
The Chiefs had the sport’s opening drive and would be capable of get the sport’s opening rating from it. In a fast drive, the Chiefs’ offense made their solution to the Panthers’ 35-yard line. From right here, quarterback Patrick Mahomes discovered Noah Grey for a 35-yard landing cross.
The Panthers had been in a position to get one thing in response. Carolina’s offense, led by quarterback Bryce Younger, would be capable of make their method right down to the Chiefs’ 12-yard line, the place the drive would stall. Right here, Eddie Pinerio discovered the uprights on a 30-yard subject aim.
This subject aim began a streak of 4 consecutive drives that resulted in a subject aim. The Chiefs acquired two, and so did the Panthers. Nonetheless, whereas the Panthers’ drives had been pretty fast, Kansas Metropolis took their time with these drives, slowly working themselves into or on the sting of the Panthers’ pink zone, the place their drives would lastly stall.
However the Chiefs would break this streak of subject targets on their following drive. From their eight-yard line, Mahomes lead offense went right down to the Panthers’ 11-yard line. From right here, Mahomes discovered Grey for his second landing of the sport. Pinerio once more scored a subject aim, this time from 29 yards out in response.
This meant that at halftime, the Chiefs had a 20-9 lead over the Panthers.
Carolina had the opening possession of the second half and will use this to chop into the Chiefs’ lead massively. On a drive that began on their 25-yard line, Younger introduced his offense right down to the Chiefs’ one-yard line. Right here, he discovered David Moore for the landing cross. The Panthers then tried a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, there was a penalty on the play, which gave the Panthers one other likelihood. They determined to take PAT.
Kansas Metropolis would instantly reply to this shrinking of their lead, as Mahomes discovered DeAndre Hopkins for a three-yard landing cross. This widened the lead, however Carolina saved it a one-possession recreation going into the fourth quarter with a 33-yard subject aim from Pinerio.
Late into the fourth quarter, the Panthers may discover the endzone when Chuba Hubbard scored a one-yard dashing landing. Add within the profitable two-point conversion try, and Carolina was solely two factors behind the Chiefs. With underneath two minutes left to play, all of the Chiefs wanted to do was maintain onto the ball to win.
They had been in a position to do that and likewise scored another subject aim to seal the victory.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs had defeated the Carolina Panthers 30-27.
This was a better recreation than many individuals may have imagined. The Panthers had been very near sealing one of many season’s largest wins, however they simply fell brief. With the win, Kansas Metropolis improves to 10-1 for the season, whereas the Panthers fall to 3-8.
Subsequent week, the Chiefs play the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, whereas the Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Different Video games
This week’s Thursday night time recreation was the primary snow recreation of the 12 months, because the Cleveland Browns confronted the Pittsburgh Steelers. In heavy snow, Nick Chubb scored a two-yard dashing landing to provide the Browns a shocking 24-19 win over their divisional rivals.
The Detroit Lions’ high-scoring season continued this week in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. The Lions scored three dashing touchdowns of their easy 24-6 win over the Colts and took them to a 10-1 report for the season. If the Lions don’t make the Tremendous Bowl on this manner, who would be the group that can beat them, as there’s not a group like them this 12 months?
The Miami Dolphins confronted the New England Patriots this week. This was a recreation that the Dolphins had been additionally going to win, and so they did it simply. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovaila threw for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns in Miami’s 34-15 win over the Patriots, whose poor season continues.
Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos continued their push for an unlikely playoff berth with a win over the struggling Las Vegas Raiders. Nix threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, breaking the Broncos’ rookie report on his solution to recording a 29-19 win over the Raiders, who’ve nonetheless solely gained two video games this 12 months.
The Seattle Seahawks confronted the Arizona Cardinals in a recreation filled with protection. The spotlight of this recreation was a 69-yard pick-six landing from Coby Bryant to seal the victory for the Seahawks, which Seattle would win 16-6. This ties each groups on the prime of the NFC West with 6-5 information, with the opposite groups within the convention being just one recreation again.
Considered one of these groups is the San Francisco 49ers, who’ve gone from Tremendous Bowl runners-up to a group that will not be capable of make the playoffs. So as to add additional woes, quarterback Brock Purdy missed their recreation with the in-form Inexperienced Bay Packers with an harm and was changed by Brandon Allen. Bearing this in thoughts, the sport went as anticipated. Josh Jacobs scored three touchdowns, and quarterback Jordan Love threw for 2 extra because the Packers dominated the 49ers to report a 38-10 win.
The Sunday Night time Soccer for this week was between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams. As with many video games that the Eagles have performed this season, this recreation was all about Saquon Barkley. He rushed for an enormous 255 yards (greater than Matthew Stafford and Jalen Hurts threw for within the recreation) and scored two touchdowns, setting an Eagles franchise report. This efficiency led Philadelphia to victory, as they recorded a 37-20 win over the Rams.
The Baltimore Ravens confronted the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night time soccer. This meant we had a Harbaugh bowl for the third time in historical past, as John’s Ravens confronted Jim’s Chargers. Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson was concerned in three touchdowns as Baltimore recorded a 30-23 win over the Chargers. This offers John a 3-0 lead within the collection.
And eventually, let’s dive into what was a chaotic week for the New York Giants. Over the past overview, I discussed that the group had lastly benched quarterback Daniel Jones and changed him with Tommy DeVito. A few days later, he would request his launch from the group, which was granted. He’s now a free agent. Nonetheless, this transfer has precipitated the locker room to lose confidence, however issues would enhance if DeVito may assist the Giants defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He couldn’t. It was a special quarterback and the identical dismal efficiency for the Giants, who had been simply defeated by the Buccaneers 30-7. After the sport, it was then revealed that DeVito might not play on Thursday resulting from an harm obtained within the recreation. This will imply the Giants will play Drew Lock in opposition to the Cowboys with no backup QB. If just one with expertise was accessible as a free agent (however he’ll by no means return resulting from how he was handled final week).
That was Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season. Subsequent week is Thanksgiving, which means there are three video games on Thursday. Additionally, subsequent week, the Eagles will face the Ravens, and the Houston Texans hope to return to successful methods once they meet the Jacksonville Jaguars.
