NFL 2024 Week 12 Recap

 Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action has come to an end. The week that was Week 12 brought us some entertaining storylines. Such storylines like a snowstorm in Cleveland, a scoring fest in Landover, an overtime thriller in Chicago, a blowout in Green Bay, and a performance like no other in Inglewood. All those storylines and more in this week's recap post. Let's get to work!

NFL Week 12 Freaky Stat

The Lions haven't allowed a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time since the 1999 season. Bo Nix hit and broke the Broncos rookie passing touchdown record set by Marlin Briscoe in 1968. 

NFL Week 12 Recap

Pittsburgh 19, Cleveland 24

Pick: Steelers

The Browns outlast the Steelers in snowy Cleveland. Russell Wilson hit 21 of 28 passes for 270 yards with a touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III. Jaylen Warren had 11 carries for 45 yards with a touchdown run. Najee Harris had 16 carries for 41 yards. Calvin Austin III had three catches for 78 yards and had the longest play for the Steelers on a 46-yard play. The Steelers had the better offensive numbers as they had 368 total yards in the game and did better on 3rd down with 7 of 16 conversions. Time of possession was a better stat as they had 35:02 of ball possession. Pittsburgh also had three takeaways in the game. They almost pulled off the win but a late Browns push would cost them a win. For the Steelers, they drop to 8-3 but have a game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North race. 

Jameis Winston hit 18 of 27 passes for 219 yards with an interception. He would make up for the interception with a touchdown run. He had three carries for seven yards. Nick Chubb had 20 carries for 59 yards with two touchdowns. Jerry Jeudy had six catches for 85 yards. The longest play for Cleveland was a Blake Whiteheart had a catch for a 29-yard gain. The Browns would do a lot of things wrong in this game as they had the interception but also fumbled twice in the game. The one thing that they did right was going 4 for 4 on 4th down. Quite ballsy for head coach Kevin Stefanski to go for it on four times. Cleveland had 304 yards of offense and improve to 3-8 on the season before going to Denver on December 1st. 

Next week:

Pittsburgh: @ Cincinnati
Cleveland: @ Denver

TW: 0-1

Detroit 24, Indianapolis 6

Pick: Lions

The Lions run game run over the Colts. Jared Goff hit 26 of 36 passes for 269 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. A quiet game for him in general. Jahmyr Gibbs had 21 carries for 90 yards with two touchdowns and had a 17-yard run as the longest run play for the Lions in the game. David Montgomery had eight carries for 37 yards with a touchdown. Jameson Williams had five catches for 64 yards in the game. Tim Patrick had the longest play in the passing game with a 27-yard catch. Detroit had 390 total yards in the game. Most of the offensive categories were geared towards the Lions as they had 26 first downs and controlled the ball for 37:01 of game time. A game where they crushed the Colts by other means but didn't blow out the Colts. For the Lions, they improve to 10-1 and head home to probably the most rocking Thanksgiving game in franchise history. 

Anthony Richardson hit 11 of 28 passes for 172 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also had 10 carries for 61 yards. Jonathan Taylor had 11 carries for 35 yards in the game. Michael Pittman had six catches for 96 yards in the game. Alec Pierce had a catch for 39 yards for the longest play in the game for the Colts. Indianapolis had 268 yards in offense. Matt Gay had two field goals in the game for the Colts. In general a rough day for the Colts offense as they only got 11 first downs and as a team had 10 penalties for 75 yards. They really couldn't do a whole lot on 3rd down either as they went 3 of 12 on those conversions. For the Colts, they drop to 5-7 on the season with a trip to New England next week. 

Next week:

Detroit: vs Chicago (Thanksgiving Thursday)
Indianapolis: @ New England

TW: 1-1

Dallas 34, Washington 26

Pick: Commanders

Dallas gets a big win in Landover. Cooper Rush hit 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns. The two touchdowns went to Luke Schoonmaker and Jake Tolbert. Rico Dowdle had 19 carries for 86 yards in the game. CeeDee Lamb had 10 catches for 67 yards in the game. The longest play for the Cowboys was on a Jalen Brooks catch for a 41-yard gain. Kavonte Turpin had a kick return for a touchdown. He had muffed the ball at first but would go the distance on a 99-yard kick-six. Dallas had 332 total yards in the game. It was a game that the Cowboys desperately needed not just for their season or head coach but for their confidence as they were entering this game with 3-7 record and had a rough home record. For the Cowboys, they improve to 4-7 and head back home to host Thanksgiving against the Giants. 

Jayden Daniels had 25 of 38 passes for 275 yards with two touchdowns but also tossed two interceptions. Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz caught the passes from Daniels for scores. Daniels also ran into the endzone for a score on 17-yard run with seven carries for 74 yards. The longest play for the Commanders was a 86-yard pass play to Terry McLaurin for his touchdown. Austin Ekeler had nine carries for 22 yards in the game. Noah Brown had six catches for 71 yards. It was a game where the Commanders let the Cowboys hang around despite being probably the better offense in this one. It should be noted that both teams scored 41 points combined in the 4th quarter where both teams scored just 19 combined through the first three quarters. Washington's turnovers kind of costed them in this one as they had two interceptions but also fumbled the ball in the 4th quarter. The Commanders had 412 total yards in the game but drop to 7-5 on the season as they have now lost their 3rd straight game. 

Next week:

Dallas: vs NY Giants (Thanksgiving Thursday)
Washington: vs Tennessee

TW: 1-2

Kansas City 30, Carolina 27

Pick: Chiefs

The defending champs hold on against the Panthers. Patrick Mahomes hit 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards with three touchdowns. Noah Gray had two and DeAndre Hopkins had one of the three total touchdowns for the Chiefs. Kareem Hunt had 16 carries for 68 yards in the game. Patrick Mahomes had five carries for 60 yards in the game. Noah Gray had four catches for 66 yards in the game with 35 of them coming on a play for a touchdown. That was the longest play for the Chiefs in the game. Kansas City had 391 total yards in the game. It was a game where the Chiefs might've let off the gas a bit as the Panthers would fight back in this game to tie it. Spencer Shrader hit three field goals in the game, including the game-winner from a 31-yard kick that was good as time expired. Suffice the close call, the Chiefs improve to 10-1 and head home to take on the Raiders on Black Friday. 

Bryce Young hit 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards with a touchdown pass. The touchdown went to David Moore in the 3rd quarter where the Panthers had just three field goals in the game. Chuba Hubbard had 16 carries for 58 yards with a touchdown. David Moore had six catches for 81 yards to be the leading receiver for the Panthers. The longest play for the Panthers was a pass play caught by Adam Thielen for a 36-yard gain who finished the game with three catches for 57 yards. The big thing for the Panthers was that they weren't quite as good in the redzone as the would make three trips for three field goals. The first drive in the 2nd half was a 15-play drive that gave way for a touchdown. Carolina scored a field goal or a touchdown on three of their four drives in the 2nd half. They gave the Chiefs a scare but the Panthers finished with 334 total yards in the game but drop to 3-8 on the season. 

Next week:

Kansas City: vs Las Vegas (Black Friday)
Carolina: vs Tampa Bay

TW: 2-2

Minnesota 30, Chicago 27 (F/OT)

Pick: Vikings

A John Parker Romo field goal gives the Vikings a win in overtime. Sam Darnold hit 22 of 34 passes for 330 yards with two touchdowns. Justin Nailor and Jordan Addison were the players that caught the passes from Darnold. Aaron Jones had 22 carries for 106 yards with a touchdown. He had the longest run for the Vikings on a 41-yard run. Jordan Addison had eight catches for 162 yards and had a catch that went for a 69-yard play. TJ Hockenson had a 100-yard receiving day as well as he caught seven passes for 114 yards. Minnesota had 452 total yards in the game. Despite the offensive superiority the Vikings would only score 30 points in the game and definitely kept the Bears in this one. I think the reason for it was pass protection and penalties but the Bears would have more of that. the reason for the overtime was a crazy onside kick that Chicago recovered with 26 seconds left in the game. For the Vikings, they improve to 9-2 and head home against the Cardinals next week.

Caleb Williams hit 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards with two touchdowns. DJ Moore and Keenan Allen were the Bears that caught the passes from Williams for scores. Roschon Johnson had a touchdown in the game on a 1-yard play. DJ Moore was the leading receiver for the Bears with seven catches for 106 yards. The longest play for the Bears was a pass play that was caught by Keenan Allen for a 40-yard gain. It was a game where the Bears would show up a bit later than usual as they scored 17 points in the 4th quarter as they had just 10 points through three quarters of play. It was obviously a game where the offense needs to play better through all the quarters. Can't lose a game by a blocked field goal if you're not the team that is trying for the field goal I suppose. For the Bears, they drop to 4-7 on the season and head to Detroit for Thanksgiving with 398 total yards. 

Next week:

Minnesota: vs Arizona
Chicago: @ Detroit (Thanksgiving Thursday)

TW: 3-2

New England 15, Miami 34

Pick: Dolphins

Miami's offense overwhelm the Patriots at home. Drake Maye hit 22 of 37 passes for 222 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The touchdown went to Austin Hooper. The interception happened in the 4th quarter. Antonio Gibson had six carries for 31 yards in the game. Rhamondre Stevenson didn't do a whole lot in the game but he did have eight carries for 13 yards and ran into the endzone for a 2-point conversion. Christian Gonzales picked up a Dolphins Jaylen Wright fumble and ran it back to the endzone for a touchdown on defense. Demario Douglas had five catches for 62 yards in the game. Austin Hooper had the longest play in the game as he caught a pass for a 38-yard gain for his touchdown. New England had 269 total yards in the game. A quiet day in general for the Patriots offense as they had penalties early and missed a field goal. Turnovers killed the Patriots in the game as well. It was also a game where the defense couldn't stop the Dolphins in the air with 24 points in the 2nd quarter. For the Patriots, they drop to 3-9 and head back home to host post-Thanksgiving against the Colts.

Tua Tagovailoa had 29 of 40 passes for 317 yards with four touchdowns. De'Von Achane had two while Jaylen Waddle and Jonnu Smith had one each to them. While the passing game did well, the run game would struggle. De'Von Achane had 10 carries for 32 yards. Jaylen Wright had seven carries for 28 yards and did have a carry that was fumbled by the Patriots. Jaylen Waddle had eight catches for 144 yards in the game. He also had the longest play for the Dolphins on a catch that went for a 29-yard gain. Jonnu Smith had nine catches for 87 yards in the game. Miami had 373 total yards in the game with 308 of it being on the passing game. The win gives the Dolphins a 5-6 record with possibly gaining more playoff positioning depending on the Broncos-Raiders game on Sunday afternoon. The win will at least guarantee them 8th in AFC playoff picture. Miami now moves to Green Bay to play the Packers on Thursday night. 

Next week:

New England: vs Indianapolis
Miami: @ Green Bay (Thanksgiving Night)

TW: 4-2

Tampa Bay 30, NY Giants 7

Pick: Giants

Baker Mayfield and company rough up the Giants. Mayfield hit 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards in the game with no touchdowns or interceptions. Tampa scored four touchdowns on the run game. Bucky Irving had 12 carries for 87 yards with a touchdown. Rachaad White had 12 carries for 37 yards with a touchdown. Baker Mayfield had four carries for 29 yards with a touchdown. Sean Tucker had four carries for three yards with a touchdown. A scoring fest for the Bucs on the run. Mike Evans caught five passes for 68 yards in the game. The Mayfield touchdown was a bit of controversy as whether or not he had made contact on the ground with a touchdown and if the ball came out. Suffice to say, it was a touchdown regardless. The Bucs defense would do its part but it was more on the offense putting the hurt on the Giants. For the Buccaneers, they improve to 5-6 on the season and go to Carolina next week.

Tommy DeVito made his first start of the season in this game. The folk hero hit 21 of 31 passes for 189 yards in the game. Didn't do a whole lot but it was his first start on the season. Drew Lock hit a pass for a 3-yard gain. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had nine carries for 42 yards. Tommy DeVito had seven carries for 32 yards in the game. The Giants touchdown came on a Devin Singletary run up the middle for a 1-yard score. Malik Nabers had six catches for 64 yards in the game. The longest play for the Giants was a 23-yard play to Theo Johnson in the air. New York had 245 yards in the game but it was a theme of very little offense again for the Giants. In a week where there was Daniel Jones drama, it was a result that the G-men would rather liked to avoid. For the Giants, they drop to 2-9 and head to Dallas for their annual Thanksgiving celebration. 

Next week:

Tampa Bay: @ Carolina
NY Giants: @ Dallas (Thanksgiving Thursday)

TW: 4-3

Tennessee 32, Houston 27

Pick: Texans

Tennessee upsets the Texans on the road. Will Levis hit 18 of 24 passes for 278 yards with two touchdowns but also tossed an interception. Nick Westbrookikhine and Chigoziem Okonkwo were the players that caught the passes from Levis for scores. Tony Pollard found yards in this game as he had 24 carries for 119 yards in the game with a touchdown. Calvin Ridley had five catches for 93 yards in the game. The longest play for the Titans was a 70-yard play that was caught by Chigoziem Okonkwo. The Titans defense would get a safety on a CJ Stroud sack in the endzone during the last drive for the Texans. The two points would be pivotal as the Texans would've needed a field goal to tie or a touchdown to win it in that drive. For the Titans, they got 369 total yards and improve to 3-8 on the season. 

CJ Stroud hit 20 of 33 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Nico Collins and Cade Stover were the players that caught the passes from Stroud for touchdowns. The two interceptions happened in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Joe Mixon would have a tough time getting the run game going as he had 14 carries for 22 yards and had a eight-yard gain. Nico Collins had five catches for 92 yards and had the longest play for the Texans on a pass that went for a 56-yard gain. The Cade Stover touchdown was on a 19-yard play. The game was a bit of a letdown for the Texans as they lost to a division team and while the closest team is the Colts at 5-7 in 2nd place. The Texans could've really been a team that helped prove how good they can be. Turnovers really hurt them in this game. For the Texans, they had 260 total yards in the game and drop to 7-5 on the season. 

Next week:

Tennessee: @ Washington
Houston: @ Jacksonville

TW: 4-4

Denver 29, Las Vegas 19

Pick: Broncos

Bo Nix's two touchdowns give the Broncos a win. Nix hit 25 of 42 passes for 273 yards with two touchdowns in the game. Cortland Sutton was the recipient of the two touchdown passes from Nix. James McLaughlin had seven carries for 44 yards. Cortland Sutton had eight catches for 97 yards to be the leading receiver for the Broncos. The longest play for the Broncos was a pass play to Marvin Mims for a 37-yard gain. Denver had 325 total yards in the game. Denver would persevere in the 2nd half as they were down 13-9 at halftime. The score would turn on a heel as the Broncos would put 20 points in the 2nd half. The playcalling seemed kind of weird towards the end as the Broncos called pass plays while they should've tried to run the ball to kill the clock. Suffice to say, the Broncos improved to 7-5 and host the Browns on Monday night. 

Gardner Minshew hit 25 of 42 passes for 230 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The touchdown went to Ameer Abdullah in the 2nd quarter in a rather tight window in the endzone. Minshew would not finish the game as he left with a shoulder injury on a sack. Desmond Ridder hit 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards in the game. Punter AJ Cole played quarterback on a fake punt and threw a completion that went for a 34 yard gain. The fake punt play resulted in the Abdullah touchdown. Sincere McCormick rushed five times for 33 yards in the game. Jakobi Meyers had 10 catches for 121 yards to be the leading receiver for the Raiders. Divine Deablo had the longest play in the game as he caught the pass by Cole for the 34 yard gain. The Raiders had 369 total yards in the game. It was a game where quarterback play kind of was once again a death kneel for the Raiders. Might be another week for Desmond Ridder to prove to the NFL. For the Raiders, they drop to 2-9 and head to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs on Black Friday.

Next week:

Denver: vs Cleveland (Monday Night)
Las Vegas: @ Kansas City (Black Friday)

TW: 5-4

Arizona 6, Seattle 16

Pick: Cardinals

Defense rules the day as the Seahawks take down the Cardinals. Kyler Murray hit 24 of 37 passes for 285 yards with an interception. The interception was grabbed by Coby Bryant for a pick six. Ouchies for the Cards. Trey Benson had 4 carries for 18 yards in the game. A quiet day in general for the Cardinals running attack. Trey McBride had 12 catches for 133 yards in the game to be the leading receiver for the Cardinals. The longest play for the Cards was a pass play to Michael Wilson for a 30-yard gain. The Cardinals had 298 total yards in the loss. It was obviously not a great game for the Cardinals as their offense was really ineffective during the contest. The points were at a premium as Chad Ryland hit two field goals for Arizona. For the Cardinals they drop to 6-5 on the season. 

Geno Smith hit 22 of 31 passes for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The touchdown went to Jaxon Smith-Njigba who also caught a pass for a 46-yard gain to be the longest play for the Seahawks. Kenneth Walker III had 16 carries for 41 yards in the game. Njigba was the leading receiver for the Seahawks with six catches for 77 yards in the game. The defense would shut down the Cardinals which had been one of the better offenses in the league to just six points. Seattle had 285 total yards in the game with 17 first downs and had 7 of 14 conversions on 3rd down. Not a bad game but a win is a win as the Seahawks improve to 6-5 on the season. 

Next week:

Arizona: @ Minnesota
Seattle: @ NY Jets

TW: 5-5

San Francisco 10, Green Bay 38

Pick: Packers

Green Bay manhandles the shorthanded 49ers. With Brock Purdy out, Brandon Allen got the start for the 49ers. He hit 17 of 29 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception. George Kittle was the player that caught the pass from Allen on a play where he was wide open on a defensive miscommunication. Christian McCaffrey had 11 carries for 31 yards in the game. It would be an abandoned running day for the Niners. George Kittle had six catches for 82 yards and had a catch that went for a 31-yard gain. Long with Purdy, the 49ers were without Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams. San Francisco had 241 total yards in the game. It was obviously a rough one to watch if you are a fan of the Red & Gold but it doesn't look to get any better as they drop to 5-6 and will have to go to Buffalo take on the Bills next week. 

Jordan Love hit 13 of 23 passes for 163 yards with two touchdowns. Tucker Kraft and Malik Heath were the players that caught the passes from Love for scores. The big factor in the game was Josh Jacobs who had 26 carries for 106 yards and had three touchdowns all from 1 yard plays. Romeo Doubs had three catches for 54 yards in the game and had a catch that went for a 29-yard gain to be the longest play in the game. Green Bay had 325 total yards in the game. The game was a bit of revenge over the 49ers for the Packers as they had last met in the NFC Divisional in last year's playoffs. While they didn't play the same team as last January a win is a win I suppose. For the Packers, they improve to 8-3 and host the Dolphins on Thanksgiving night. 

Next week:

San Francisco: @ Buffalo (Sunday night)
Green Bay: vs Miami (Thanksgiving night) 

TW: 6-5

Philadelphia 37, LA Rams 20

Pick: Rams

The Eagles run over the Rams in Inglewood. Jalen Hurts hit 15 of 22 passes for 179 yards with a touchdown. The touchdown pass went to AJ Brown on a 6-yard play. The running game would take the cake as Saquon Barkley had 26 carries for 255 yards with two touchdowns. That is not a typo. He had a 70-yard run that went for a touchdown but it was his 72-yard gain for a run that was the longest in the game. Kenneth Gainwell had five carries for 22 yards. AJ Brown had six catches for 109 yards in the game. The longest pass play went to Saquon Barkley for a 31-yard gain. Saquon Barkley had 45 fantasy points in the game and set the single game rushing record that was held by LeSean McCoy in a 2013 matchup against the Lions who had 217 rushing yards. It was also a career high for him that won't likely change anytime soon. Despite the running game running amok, the Eagles had 481 total yards in the game. They really had domination after the 1st quarter as the Rams had a 7-3 score at the end of the 1st quarter. The Eagles proceeded to score on a 34-13 run. The Eagles improve to 9-2 and head to Baltimore next week.

Matthew Stafford hit 24 of 36 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns. Cooper Kupp and Denard Robinson had the passes from Stafford for scores. Kyren Williams had 16 carries for 72 yards with a touchdown. Puka Nacua had nine catches for 117 yards in the game and had the longest play for the Rams on a 29-yard play. The Rams in general couldn't stop one man. The name seems to be passing me by as he ran over the Rams defense for 255 yards. The touchdowns would come in the 1st quarter where they had a lead before it evaporated and then in the 3rd and 4th quarters where the game's reach would fall by the wayside. With Seattle winning against the Cardinals and the 49ers dropping, the Rams still have a chance to make the playoffs but it will have to be on a whim as they need to win the rest of the way likely. Los Angeles had 290 total yards in the game. The Rams drop to 5-6 and will travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints next week. 

Next week:

Philadelphia: @ Baltimore
LA Rams: @ New Orleans

TW: 6-6

Baltimore 30, LA Chargers 23

Pick: Ravens

John Harbaugh outmatches Jim Harbaugh in the Harbaugh Bowl. Lamar Jackson hit 16 of 22 passes for 177 yards with two touchdown passes while rushing into the endzone for one while rushing for 15 yards in the game. Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman were the Ravens that caught the passes from Jackson for touchdowns. Along with Jackson, Justice Hill had a rushing touchdown while getting 55 yards on four carries. He had a 51-yard run that was for the rushing touchdown. Derrick Henry had 24 carries for 140 yards but didn't have a touchdown. Zay Flowers had five catches for 62 yards to be the leading receiver for the Ravens. The longest pass play was a Rashod Bateman catch for the 40-yard touchdown on a play that was flagged as defensive pass interference but Flowers caught it regardless. Baltimore had 389 total yards in the game. The defense got after Justin Herbert as he had got sacked four times in the game. The game looked to be a bit of a Chargers momentum but the Jackson rushing touchdown and the Bateman touchdown would be the key plays to turnaround the game for the Ravens. For the Ravens, they improve to 8-4 and have one of the tougher games in their schedule as they take on the Eagles. 

Justin Herbert hit 21 of 36 passes for 218 yards and rushed into the endzone while racking up 29 yards rushing in the game. JK Dobbins had six carries for 40 yards in the game but would not finish the game as he left with a knee injury. Gus Edwards had nine carries for 11 yards with a touchdown. Ladd McConkey had six catches for 83 yards in the game and had the longest play in the game with a catch that went for a 19-yard gain. Los Angeles had 285 yards of offense in the game. The two teams were pretty closely matched in offensive stats. I think the big thing was trading field goals instead of touchdowns. Pass protection as well was a bit of a concern as well. If anything, the loss proves that the Chargers aren't quite ready for the big boys of the AFC but they can compete with them. That will have to be something that the Chargers will have to take with them. For the Chargers, they drop to 7-4 on the season and head cross country to face the Falcons. 

Next week:

Baltimore: vs Philadelphia
LA Chargers: @ Atlanta

TW: 7-6

Records

2024:
Week 1: 14-2
Week 2: 10-6

Week 3: 10-6

Week 4: 10-6
Week 5: 3-11

Week 6: 13-1

Week 7: 13-2

Week 8: 9-7

Week 9: 12-3

Week 10: 10-4

Week 11: 11-3

Week 12: 7-6

Total: 122-57

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1

2020: 167-88-1 

2021: 173-98-1
2022: 166-103-2
2023: 161-111

See you all on Wednesday/Thursday for the Week 13 Picks post! Enjoy your week!

-Tom