Week 12 of the NFL regular season is officially complete and the playoff contenders are beginning to become clearer. A couple of teams such as the Carolina Panthers (1-10) and Arizona Cardinals (2-10) are now mathematically eliminated from making the postseason. At the other end, the Philadelphia Eagles are almost guaranteed a spot with their 10-1 start.
The week started with three Thanksgiving day games between the Lions/Packers, Cowboys/Commanders and Seahawks/49ers. The Packers were able to pull off a surprise 29-22 upset against the Lions, keeping the playoff hopes alive. Detroit still leads the NFC North however with their 8-3 record.
The Dallas Cowboys dominated the Washington Commanders on Thanksgiving, winning in a blowout, 45-10. The Commanders are all but eliminated from making the postseason while the Cowboys look good for a Wildcard spot. The Cowboys could also run down the Eagles who are currently two games up in the division.
The 49ers won their third straight game with an easy 31-113 win against the Seattle Seahawks. After a couple of early losses, San Francisco looks like one of the favourites to win the Super Bowl. They are currently leading the NFC West by two games over the Seahawks with a 8-3 record.
Sunday night had a number of important games with playoff implications. The Kansas City Chiefs bounced back after a loss the previous week to the Eagles. After trailing by 14 early in the game, Patrick Mahomes and the offense were able to put up 31 points, winning 31-17. With an 8-3 record the Chiefs look like they are on pace to defend their title from last year.
Arguably the game of the week came in Philadelphia between the Eagles and the Bills on Sunday night. Regulation ended in a 31-31 tie between the two teams, after Eagles kicker Jake Elliott hit a 59-yard field goal at the end of regulation. The Bills won the toss in OT but were restricted to a field goal on their possession. From there Eagles QB Jalen Hurts went on to score a rushing TD to win the game.
The Eagles hold the best record in the NFL at 10-1 and are almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. The Bills fell to 6-6 and are now two games behind the Dolphins in the AFC East. Their most likely way into the playoffs now seems like a Wildcard spot.
Division rivals, Steelers and Bengals were involved in a low scoring game which ended with Pitsburgh coming out winners, 16-10. This was the Bengals 3rd loss in a row as they fell to last place in the AFC North. Chances are Cincinnati will need to win the rest of their games to have a chance of making the playoffs. The Steelers however are now in place for a WIldcard spot along with the Cleveland Browns.
The Broncos won their 5th straight game with a win over the Cleveland Browns 29-12. The Broncos have now climbed all the way to the second spot in the AFC West and are only one game back in the Wildcard race. The Browns fell to 7-4 but are still in a good position to make the playoffs via Wildcard.
NFL Week 12 Scores
| Green Bay Packer (5-6) | 29 |
| Detroit Lions (8-3) | 22 |
| Washington Commanders (4-8) | 10 |
| Dallas Cowboys (8-3) | 45 |
| San Francisco 49ers (8-3) | 31 |
| Seattle Seahawks (6-5) | 13 |
| Miami Dolphins (8-3) | 34 |
| New York Jets (4-7) | 13 |
| New Orleans Saints (5-6) | 15 |
| Atlanta Falcons (5-6) | 24 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) | 16 |
| Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) | 10 |
| Carolina Panthers (1-1) | 10 |
| Tennessee Titans (4-7) | 17 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) | 20 |
| Indianapolis Colts (6-5) | 27 |
| New England Patriots (2-9) | 7 |
| New York Giants (4-8) | 10 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) | 24 |
| Houston Texans (6-5) | 21 |
| Cleveland Browns (7-4) | 12 |
| Houston Texans (6-5) | 29 |
| Los Angeles Rams (5-6) | 37 |
| Arizona Cardinals (2-10) | 14 |
| Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) | 31 |
| Las Vegas Raiders (5-7) | 17 |
| Buffalo Bills (6-6) | 34 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) | 37 |
| Baltimore Ravens (9-3) | 20 |
| San Diego Chargers (4-7) | 10 |
| Chicago Bears (4-6) | 12 |
| Minnesota Vikings (6-6) | 10 |
