2021 NFL Week 12 Recap

Seahawks 15
Washington 17

The Russell Wilson era in Seattle basically started at FedEx Field in a game Washington fans would love to forget so it’s only fitting the Wilson era basically ends with a loss in Landover on his 33rd birthday. Now that the Seahawks are five games below .500 for the first time since 2009, it’s only a matter of time until the franchise blows it all up and starts over.

Meanwhile, the Burgundy and Gold are just getting started, overcoming a myriad of obstacles (including the weight of eight straight MNF losses) to gain control of the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC. The margin for error remains razor thin — Washington realistically can’t lose more than one or two of their final six games — but would you bet against Taylor Heinicke and this inexplicably rejuvenated defense? I sure wouldn’t.

Browns 10
Ravens 16

I know Lamar Jackson’s four interceptions look bad but he otherwise carried the offense with Baltimore’s lone touchdown and 233 of its 303 yards to sufficiently complement a defense that made Nick Chubb a non-factor for a Cleveland rushing attack held to just 40 yards on 17 attempts.

Don’t look now, but Baltimore is 8-3 and in position to force the road to the Super Bowl to come through the Bank.

Rams 28
Packers 36

I’ve never subscribed to this notion that Matthew Stafford was always a great QB hampered by Detroit’s dysfunction. His play in Los Angeles confirms my belief.

Matthew Stafford is the first quarterback with a pick-6 in three straight games since Matt Schaub did it in 4 straight in 2013, per @ESPNStatsInfo

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) November 29, 2021

Vikings 26
49ers 34

Perhaps Mike Zimmer should have specified he wants Kirk Cousins to go for the opponents’ jugular and not Minnesota’s … or at least point him the right direction of who snaps him the ball. Oy vey.

4th and goal. Kirk Cousins lines up under his guard. pic.twitter.com/pSLh2YFdAb

— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dieter) November 29, 2021

Chargers 13
Broncos 28

This is so incredible I don’t even feel the need to add anything.

Patrick Surtain II's first career touchdown is a Pick-6 in Denver.

Patrick Surtain's last career touchdown was a Pick-6 in Denver. pic.twitter.com/DTIU1nQgQ9

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 29, 2021

Steelers 10
Bengals 41

Cincinnati is talking about a changing of the guard in the AFC North — and it’s hard to argue after the Bengals completed their first sweep of the hated Steelers since 2009 by a combined score of 65-20. I’m only buying that talk if Cincy closes out the regular season with wins over the Ravens, Chiefs and Browns to clinch its first playoff berth in six years.

Eagles 7
Giants 13

It was pretty fitting that on the day Michael Strahan gets his number retired in New York, the Giants put together their best defensive effort of the season for a rare win.

Bucs 38
Colts 31

Forget Tom Brady’s long history of beating Indianapolis … is there a better name than Fournette for a player that scores four touchdowns in a come-from-behind win?

Titans 13
Patriots 36

At this point, is there any question Mac Jones is the Offensive Rookie of the Year? The only other rookie QBs in the last 15 years to win six straight starts were Dak Prescott (2016) and Robert Griffin III (2012) — both of whom went on to win OROY. The Pats are back and no one outside of New England is happy about it.

Panthers 10
Dolphins 33

Since my yearlong stumping for Cam Newton has prompted some of y’all to give me crap for his 5.8 passer rating Sunday, I’m going to remind you that eight Hall of Famers (including Eli Manning when he’s wrongfully and inevitably enshrined in Canton) have posted a 0.0 passer rating in their careers. One lousy game does not a career make, and I’d be willing to bet Cam’s deep-dive into the Carolina offense will make pay dividends for the Panthers.

Falcons 21
Jaguars 14

Cordarrelle Patterson had the best cleats of the week and then scored the two touchdowns that proved to be the difference in the game. Baller move.

Cordarrelle Patterson honored Ahmaud Arbery on Sunday.

(📸 @AtlantaFalcons) pic.twitter.com/nUYl1o87sh

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 28, 2021

Jets 21
Texans 14

This might be the most Jets play I’ve seen since the Butt Fumble.

And, as if we didn’t know it already, Houston has a problem — if the Texans’ best players keep getting benched for openly clowning the coach, this team has no chance whatsoever. Houston might actually have Washington beat for the most dysfunctional franchise in the league.

Bills 31
Saints 6

For a holiday known for being home with family, it sure is weird to see the road teams on Thanksgiving Day go 8-0 since 2019. But there was New Orleans getting held to six or fewer points at home for the first time in nearly two decades and Buffalo improving to 4-0 in games following a loss, winning each in a blowout. The Bills aren’t ready to concede the AFC East back to New England.

Raiders 36
Cowboys 33 (OT)

I was going to write something snarky here but Anthony Brown interfered with it.

“Throw up ball” was right … aside from the franchise-record 166 penalty yards, the Dallas offense was literally beating itself and the defense surrendered a whopping 500 yards. The Allas Cowboys (as in, no D) are starting to show their true colors.

Bears 16
Lions 14

Matt Nagy gave thanks for the stay of execution — his firing isn’t a matter of “if,” but “when” — and Detroit locked up its fourth season going winless through 11 games. I would have been thankful to be spared this game right before eating.