The New England Patriots (10-1) and San Francisco 49ers (10-1) became the first teams in the NFL this season to reach double-digit victories. The Niners and Patriots secured the “10 win” milestone in only 12 weeks of action.
The Niners are at the onset of a difficult three-game stretch, but they passed their first test by picking off Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
The Patriots held off the Dallas Cowboys to win the first ugly weather game of the year during a rainy afternoon at Foxboro to secure 10 wins.
The New Orleans Saints (9-2) won a key division game against a much-improved Atlanta Falcons squad. The Seattle Seahawks also joined the 9-Win Club with a big road win against the desperate Philadelphia Eagles.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets rattled off their third win in a row thanks to the top run defense in the NFL, which shutdown rookie running back, Josh Jacobs and the Oakland Raiders.
And no, the Cincinnati Bengals (0-11) did not win this week. The Bungles saw their losing streak extend to 11 games.
AFC South Skirmish
Houston Texans 20, Indianapolis Colts 17… The Texans (7-4) took a huge step toward securing the AFC South title with a comeback win over the Colts (6-5) on Thursday Night Football. DeAndre Hopkins scored two touchdowns in the victory.
10 Wins, Again for Patriots
New England Patriots 13, Dallas Cowboys 9… Horrible weather and a horrible game. The Pats (10-1) held off the Cowboys (6-5) to secure another 10-win season for Brady and Belichick. You can blame the bad weather for this one, but conservative coaching decisions might have cost the Cowboys a chance to win a rare road game in Foxboro.
Niners Win Game of the Day, Secure 10 Wins
San Francisco 49ers 37, Green Bay Packers 8… In the Game of the Day for NFL Week 12, the Niners (10-1) destroyed the Packers (8-3) on Sunday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers is now 0-2 when playing games in California this season. Jimmy G threw two touchdowns, and the RB duo of Tevin Coleman/Raheem Mostert rushed for two more scores. The tremendous victory pushed the Niners up to 10 wins.
Close Shave for Who Dat
New Orleans Saints 34, Carolina Panthers 31… In a week with lots of defense, this was a rare shootout in Week 12. The Saints (9-2) held off the Panthers (5-6), who had a lot of fight in this one. Madden 20 superstar, Christian McCaffrey, posted 133 combined yards and two scores. Kyle Allen held his own with three touchdowns, but the Panthers couldn’t stop Drew Brees. He spread the ball around, and four different players scored touchdowns.
LOLJets Crush
New York Jets 34, Oakland Raiders 3… The Raiders (6-5) forgot to show up against the Jets (4-7), who have now won three in a row. Things got so bad that Jon Gruden benched Derek Carr in the third quarter.
Seattle Road Warriors, Philly Dunzo?
Seattle Seahawks 17, Philadelphia Eagles 9… The Seahawks (9-2) improved to 6-0 on the road this season, while the Eagles (5-6) were desperate for a win to keep their postseason hopes alive. Then again, the Eagles seemed to catch a break with a Dallas loss, keeping them within a game of their NFC East foe. Russell Wilson threw a touchdown on a trick play.
Hope You Bet the Over
Tampa Bay 35, Atlanta Falcons 22… So much for the improved Falcons D, eh? Jameis Winston threw an interception and touchdown on his first two passing attempts of the game. He finished with three touchdowns and two picks, and led the Bucs (4-7) to victory. Atlanta (3-8) lost another home game to fall 1-4 on the season in the Georgia Dome. The over is now 9-2 for Tampa Bay this season.
Buffalo Fried Donkeys
Buffalo Bills 20, Denver Broncos 3… The Broncos (3-8) forgot to pack their offense for their road trip to Buffalo. The Bills (8-3) beat up another bad team, but that’s what they have to keep doing if they want a playoff berth. Rookie RB, Devin Singletary rushed for 100-plus for the first time this season with 106 yards.
Titans Smush Cats
Tennessee Titans 42, Jacksonville Jaguars 20… The Titans (6-5) exploded for four touchdowns in the third quarter to put this AFC South divisional game out of reach. Another monster game from Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, who rushed for 159 yards and two more scores. The Titans kept their postseason hopes alive, while the Jags (4-7) continued their inconsistent ways.
Da Bears Cure for Insomnia
Chicago Bears 19, New York Giants 14… If you have insomnia, just rewatch film of this ugly one from Week 12. The Giants (2-9) have now lost seven in a row. Mitch Trubisky threw two touchdowns in the win for Da Bears (5-6).
Gimpy Lions Gift Win in Swamp
Washington Redskins 19, Detroit Lions 16… The Skins (2-9) won their second game of the season with a game-winning FG as time expired. The Lions (3-7-1) lost another close game they had plenty of opportunities to win without starting QB Matt Stafford.
Bungles’ Skid Hit 0-11
Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Cincinnati Bengals 10… The Steelers (6-5) had to comeback to win this gem. Will the NFL have relegation like in European soccer? If the Bengals (0-11) finish 0-16, they should be banished to the SEC, and then the NFL promotes Ohio State to the AFC North.