After the victories of the Bills, Cowboys and Vikings for Thanksgiving, now place the rest of the NFL. This week, we are particularly interested in the coach in danger. Denver, Las Vegas, Arizona, Green Bay… all of its teams have questions about their technician. We take stock. Before that, focus on a remake of a playoff match from last year: Titans-Bengals. This is THE match not to be missed this week.
Spotlight also on Patrick Mahomes, Mike White and the meeting between the Falcons and the Commanders. Here is precisely the program for week 12.
The match not to be missed
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Tennessee Titans (7-3) – Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)
We meet once again ! A few months ago, these two teams faced each other for a playoff match. Tennessee had just finished first in the AFC conference and had earned the right to have a week off before entering its playoffs. Conversely, Cincinnati came out of a snatch victory against Las Vegas in Wild Cards. There was nothing to suggest that the Bengals would finish in the Super Bowl. However, the Joe Burrow band had succeeded in getting rid of the Titans. This had made it possible to consolidate their course until the big match. This season, the two teams haven’t changed much. They are based on the same forces and therefore one could expect the same duels. Will Tennessee fall into Cincinnati’s trap again? Once again the Titans are in contention for first place in this conference. And to keep up with Kansas City, you don’t have to drop a lot of games on the way. This reception of the Bengals is therefore crucial.
The Duel: The Falcons Ground Game vs. the Commanders run stop
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Washington Commanders (6-5) – Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
at the start of the season, this match between Washington and Atlanta didn’t interest me much. However, after 11 weeks of competition, this confrontation is however dangerous for the playoffs, but the two teams are in very different situations. On the one hand, the commanders are positive, but in an extremely high division. The NFC is one of the best in the league east to New York and Philadelphia are ahead of them. So it’s hard to imagine winning it. Nevertheless, with this record of 65 they are still in the race for the playoffs. For Atlanta, this is also the case. Conversely, the Falcons are under the 50% mark, but their division is much less raised. Result, they are only one game from the lead, at their current buccaneers are at 55. Everything is still possible for these two teams. This is why this game will not go unnoticed. In this opposition, a duel will interest us more particularly. He will be on the ground. Atlanta is one of the fastest running teams in the NFL. Arthur Smith favors the ground more than Lézères. And with the injury of which country in addition, difficult to imagine that the game does not go to the ground as a priority on Sunday. Problem, Washington has closed ranks since the start of the season. After a complicated 2021 and a lackluster start to the season, Ron Rivera’s defense is raising the bar. Especially on the ground. The Commanders currently have one of the best running defenses. It remains to be seen who will take over in this area. The key to victory is certainly here.
The stat: 3,265 yards
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-2) – Los Angeles Rams (3-7)
This is the total yards thrown by Patrick Mahomes since the start of the season. A statistic that makes him the most prolific quarterback of the season at the moment and indirectly the big favorite for the title of MVP. The pitcher had started the season discreetly, but since then he has been unstoppable. We find at this moment, the Mahomes who had won the title of best player of the season in 2018 and led his team to the title in 2019. It remains besides on a series of 15 matches with at least a touchdown pass thrown.
No wonder in this situation, Kansas City return to lead the AFC. Against the Rams this week, it’s hard to imagine who’s going to be able to stop him. Los Angeles still has its stars, but the mayonnaise no longer takes. The defending champion is in difficulty and it is not necessarily a trip to the Chiefs that could restore his morale.
Player: Mike White
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New York Jets (6-4) – Chicago Bears (3-8)
The decision fell at the start of the week: exit Zach Wilson, place for Mike White. At least for this reception of the Chiefs. Robert Saleh, not convinced by the performance of his pitcher since his return from injury, made a strong decision, to put the former number 2 in the draft on the bench. It must be said that Wilson still seems to be in so much trouble. Facing the Patriots last week, he delivered a stat sheet of 9 of 22 completed passes for 77 yards. His post-match comments not having helped him, he logically finds himself relegated to the rank of understudy this Sunday.
It remains for Mike White to prove now. He can always try to reproduce what he did last year against the Bengals with 405 yards and 3 TDs in this victory (34-31). Opposite, uncertainty reigns at the post of QB. Conversely, Justin Fields seems to have been on the rise for several weeks. Only problem, he is touched in the shoulder and is not sure to be with 100% Sunday. In case of unavailability, Trevor Siemian will be on deck.
Coaches in danger
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-8) – Denver Broncos (3-7)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (4-7) – Los Angeles Chargers (5-5)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (6-4) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-7)
Kick-off in the night from Sunday to Monday 02:20
Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) – Green Bay Packers (4-7)
Two coaches have already left this season.Matt Rhule (Panthers) and Frank Reich (Colts) were indeed let go during the year. There is no doubt that they will not be the last, whether in the coming weeks or at the end of the season. The first names that come to mind when you think of “coaches in danger” are probably Josh McDaniels and Nathaniel Hackett. The two men are only in their first year with their respective teams, but are so unconvincing that they could do a little trick and then leave. The former bought some respite with a win over the latter last week. But their record is the same. This week, the Raiders travel to Seattle, while Denver will face the Panthers. Two important games to save their heads.
To a lesser degree, Kliff Kingsbury and Matt LaFleur are not in an ideal situation. With Arizona and Green Bay, the season is very complicated for the two men. One still can’t make his team progress, the other doesn’t really seem to be the man for the job. These two coaches enjoy a little more credit, but shouldn’t play with fire. The Cardinals host the Chargers this week. Later that night, the Packers travel to Philadelphia to play the best team in the conference. Two enormous challenges for these franchises which could well push their coaches a little further into this bad situation.
The rest
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Cleveland Browns (3-7) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5)
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) – Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Miami Dolphins (7-3) – Houston Texans (1-8-1)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers (6-4) – New Orleans Saints (4-7)
Kick-off in the night from Monday to Tuesday at 02:30
Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1) – Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7)
In the rest of the matches of this week 12. The 2020 Champion is on deck again after his match in Germany and his week off. The Buccaneers travel to Cleveland for a return to competition that should be within their reach. At the same time, two other Florida teams will play at home. Jacksonville hosts the Ravens, while Miami hosts the Texans. For the Jaguars, the task may be complicated. For the Dolphins on the other hand, imperative victory, under penalty of letting the Bills go back to AFC East.
In the second part of the evening, this time heading to California. The 49ers seem to have found their stride. They intend to take the opportunity to beat the Saints who travel to San Francisco without real guarantees. Finally, this week’s Monday Night Football won’t be particularly the most exciting. The Steelers and the Colts are indeed not necessarily the two most spectacular formations in the league. However, it will be interesting to observe the evolution of Kenny Pickett and the evolution of Indianapolis since the takeover of the team by Jeff Saturday.
The posters
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-8) – Denver Broncos (3-7)
Cleveland Browns (3-7) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) – Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
Miami Dolphins (7-3) – Houston Texans (1-8-1)
New York Jets (6-4) – Chicago Bears (3-8)
Tennessee Titans (7-3) – Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)
Washington Commanders (6-5) – Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (4-7) 6) — Los Angeles Chargers (5-5)
Seattle Seahawks (6-4) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-7)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-2) – Los Angeles Rams (3-7)
San Francisco 49ers (6-4) – New Orleans Saints (4-7)
Kick-off in the night from Sunday to Monday 02:20
Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) – Green Bay Packers (4-7)
Kick-off in the night from Monday to Tuesday at 02:30
Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1) – Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7)
