2022 NFL Week 12 Recap

Steelers 24
Colts 17

I know it comes in a bad game against an even worse (and embarrassingly inept) offense but Mike Tomlin’s 19-3 record on Monday Night Football is incredibly impressive. If he can lead what is by far his worst Steelers team to a non-losing record to keep his streak alive, name the Coach of the Year award after Tomlin.

Packers 33
Eagles 40

Don’t let the presumed end of the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay distract you from this monster performance from Jalen Hurts, who is only the fourth player in the Super Bowl era to tally 150 yards rushing and 150 more passing in the same game. This man should be getting more MVP consideration.

Meanwhile, the reigning two-time MVP is likely done in Titletown. He was already dealing with a broken thumb and last night’s oblique injury should be excuse enough to place him on injured reserve and get an extended look at Jordan Love. If he starts like he finished in Philly, Love is the new face of the Packers.

Rams 10
Chiefs 26

Los Angeles, off to their worst start in 11 years, has it so bad even their coach is a threat to land on injured reserve.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Sam/status/1596986265114906625?s=20&t=Tuln3t7OV4oCBKenq-_d5g

Meanwhile, Kansas City has a win streak of at least five games for the 10th straight season. The Chiefs just ain’t fair.

Saints 0
49ers 13

While many focus on San Francisco’s improved QB play and a run game anchored by Christian McCaffrey, I’m more enamored by the Niners’ defense.

This shutout (the first against New Orleans since … the Niners blanked the Saints in 2001) was the fourth straight game the 49ers haven’t given up a single point in the second half, outscoring opponents 57-0 over a span in which they’re allowing only 10 points per game. San Fran has won a league-best six games by double digits. In a wide-open NFC, this is my new Super Bowl favorite.

Chargers 25
Cardinals 24

If you were holding out hope that Arizona would be the third straight NFL team to play in a Super Bowl on their home field, allow me to give you this dose of reality: the Cardinals are 5-13 in their last 18 games and currently have the most home losses in the NFL (6). Don’t be surprised if Sean Payton is coaching this team in 2023.

Raiders 40
Seahawks 34 (OT)

If Washington makes the playoffs, they should send a holiday ham to Las Vegas for the Raiders helping out the Burgundy and Gold with this thrilling win propelled by Josh Jacobs’ 300-yard outburst, the most scrimmage yards in a game since 2015. This feels like one that will haunt the Seahawks.

Falcons 13
Commanders 19

Washington is off to its best start since 2008, Ron Rivera got his 100th win as a head coach (including playoffs) and Brian Robinson notched his first 100-yard rushing game just three months removed from being shot — yet, true to form, the Commanders undermined their own good day with another lazy tribute to Sean Taylor.

Please, Dan Snyder … you’re almost gone. Just keep his name out of your mouth until you leave.

Ravens 27
Jaguars 28

This is weird to say about Baltimore but the Ravens defense, after a historic letdown in Jacksonville, will keep them from being a true playoff contender. If they can’t beat a Jaguars team that has now reached four wins for the first time since 2019, it’s hard to see them hanging with the Bills and/or Chiefs in the postseason.

Broncos 10
Panthers 23

I never thought I’d see the day it’s even plausible that Sam Darnold is better than Russell Wilson.

The latter just had his ninth game with only one touchdown or fewer and Denver has been held to just 12 points per game during this three-game slide. And the outstanding Broncos defense is clearly sick of it.

The Broncos are DONE with Russ pic.twitter.com/HcelVfEvsH

— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) November 27, 2022

Bears 10
Jets 31

Boy, did Chicago miss Justin Fields.

The Bears produced 410 rush yards in their last three games and a rush TD in five straight — but

Meanwhile, the Mike White revelation (no, not that Mike White) included the Jets’ most first-half passing yards (235) since 2006 and a season-high 466 total yards. Draft status be damned — Zach Wilson (a.k.a. JaMarcus Russell 2.0) should never see the field for Gang Green again.

Texans 15
Dolphins 30

It’s time to put some respect on Tua Tagovailoa’s name.

He’s got a 11-0 TD-to-INT ratio and he’s led Miami to over 30 points per game during this five-game winning streak that has the Dolphins off to their best start since 2001. Buffalo won’t win the AFC East without a fight.

Bengals 20
Titans 16

It’s ok not to remember these Titans.

Tennessee is now 1-4 against teams currently with winning records so this game was less about Cincinnati owning Tennessee than the Titans simply not being good enough to beat the NFL’s best. Don’t expect them to do more than win their easy division.

Bucs 17
Browns 23 (OT)

How bad is this loss for Tampa? On Cleveland’s trashed turf and stinky stands, the Browns scored their first OT touchdown since 1991 to add to the pile of Tom Brady’s most losses since 2009. Not a bad way to segue to the Deshaun Watson era.

Patriots 26
Vikings 33

What better way to cap the first Thanksgiving with three one-score games since 1926 than with Minnesota’s franchise-record sixth comeback win of the season?

Oh, with a porn star prank? Fair enough.

Giants 20
Cowboys 28

In front of a record audience, Dallas grabbed the inside track on second place in the NFC East (and perhaps on the OBJ sweepstakes) by handling an injury-depleted Giants team whose promising season is now on the brink (whether their coach acknowledges it or not).

Oh, and if you’re looking for comment on Jerry Jones’ long-ago misdeeds … what exactly do you expect from an 80-year-old white dude from Arkansas who’s never hired a Black head coach and thumbed his nose at the Rooney Rule since its inception?

Bills 28
Lions 25

Props to Detroit for keeping this game closer than expected and introducing a beverage that looks as delicious as it is kinda naughty.