NFL Week 12 Recap: Teams Begin to Show Cracks as Playoffs Loom
This past Sunday, football fans witnessed some shifting dynamics across the NFL as Week 12 of the 2024 season wrapped up. While no major playoff standings changed drastically, cracks began to show for several teams as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
In Green Bay, the Packers delivered a confident performance, with quarterback Jordan Love throwing no interceptions during a dominant win against the San Francisco 49ers. This was a notable achievement for Love, marking the first time he has gone without an interception since the wild-card round of the 2023 playoffs, indicating a significant step forward for the young quarterback.
Houston Texans fans are starting to worry as their team has lost four of their last six games after a surprising home defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Despite showing promise with their passing game, led by receiver Nico Collins, the Texans’ running game has faltered, diminishing their chances of being a Super Bowl contender this season.
Over in Washington, the Commanders faced a tough challenge at home against the Dallas Cowboys, ultimately falling 34-26. Special teams woes plagued the Commanders throughout the match, including allowing two touchdown returns on kickoffs, which proved to be critical in determining the outcome.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came back strong, ending a losing streak with a 30-7 victory against the struggling New York Giants. Quarterback Baker Mayfield even ran for a touchdown, his first game this season without throwing a touchdown pass, but showed flexibility in his playing style to secure the win.
The Cowboys, despite their own flaws, continue to fight hard for head coach Mike McCarthy, improving to 4-2 on the road. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams suffered a rough 37-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, which has raised concerns about their defense as they remain tied for last in the NFC West.
One player making headlines is Saquon Barkley from the Eagles, who tallied 302 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, giving him strong MVP momentum as the season progresses.
The Kansas City Chiefs won a close match against the Carolina Panthers that showcased the inconsistency in their game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdowns and was sacked a season-high five times, highlighting both offensive skill and challenges.
As the season heads into its final third, teams must clean up their gameplay if they want to find success in the playoff run. With high stakes and looming matchups, the coming weeks promise to hold exciting football action as every game counts.
