Week 12 saw some standouts and a few upsets, here are my winners and losers:
Winners:
- Detroit Lions: In a tie game, cornerback Darius Slay’s interception helped setup kicker Matt Prater’s game-winning 40-yard field goal helping the Lions edged the Minnesota Vikings 16-13. The Lions now have the inside track in the NFC North.
- Dallas Cowboys: The rookies led the way again, quarterback Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for two touchdowns as they defeated NFC East rival Washington Redskins 31-26.
- Baltimore Ravens: Game-saving turnovers and clever play-calling late helped the Ravens defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 19-14. Winning games ugly have been the Ravens’ style this season.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns. The defense had six sacks and caught two interceptions as the Bucs upset the Seattle Seahawks 14-5. The Bucs look like a team on the rise.
- Oakland Raiders: Defensive end Khalil Mack had an interception, sack, stripped sack, fumble recovery, and a pick six, the first to do that since Charles Woodson in 2009. The Raiders came back to defeat the Carolina Panthers 35-32.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Wide receiver Tyreek Hill had an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a touchdown run and a touchdown catch. Linebacker Justin Houston had three sacks. Kicker Cairo Santos’ 34-yard field goal that doink off the post then went through helped the Chiefs come back and defeat the Denver Broncos 30-27 in an overtime thriller.
- Green Bay Packers: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns. The defense had four sacks. Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix helped the Packers defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-13. A solid and satisfying win for the Packers, we’ll see if they’ve righted the ship.
Losers:
- Minnesota Vikings: A late interception from quarterback Sam Bradford proved costly as it helped set up a game-winning field goal for Detroit.
- Washington Redskins: Despite Kirk Cousins throwing for 449 yards, the Redskins couldn’t slow down Dallas.
- Los Angeles Rams: Despite a solid debut by quarterback Jared Goff, the defense gave up 555 total yards in their loss to the New Orleans Saints 49-21.
- Seattle Seahawks: Turnovers and quarterback Russell Wilson being sacked six times were the Seahawks’ undoing in their loss to Tampa Bay.
- Houston Texans: Turnovers stalled drives in their loss to the San Diego Chargers 21-13.
- Denver Broncos: Though the defense had six sacks, they gave up too many big plays late in their loss to Kansas City.
Storylines Going Into Week 14:
Can Minnesota upset Dallas and keep their playoff hopes alive? Atlanta goes to Kansas City. Detroit travels to New Orleans.
Houston battles Green Bay. In the battle of defenses, Buffalo travels cross-country to play Oakland. New York Giants and Pittsburgh face-off.
Washington meets Arizona. Tampa Bay plays San Diego. Seattle will try to bounce back as they host Carolina.