Through 12 weeks of the 2021 NFL season, the powers of the league continue to change by the minute. A certain “Evil Empire” returning to form, and the team that calls the Frozen Tundra home finding consistent success, are just some of the storylines to follow as we reach the home stretch of the regular season.
Chicago Bears (4-7) @ Detroit Lions (0-10-1) (Thanksgiving Day)
Final: Bears-16 Lions-14
Player of the Game: Darnell Mooney
The Chicago Bears enjoyed their Thanksgiving day with an early afternoon win against their division rival Detroit Lions. With rookie QB Justin Fields out for the game, Andy Dalton manned the offense for the Bears, throwing for 317 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Darnell Mooney was the one hauling in most of Dalton’s throws, accounting for 123 yards on 5 receptions. The Chicago Bears, who are still in the hunt in the NFC, will look to get another win next week, when they host the Arizona Cardinals.
A sentiment that I have repeated all season, that the Detroit Lions are the best winless team I’ve ever seen, presented itself once again on Thanksgiving day. When it comes to effort, the Lions lack nothing in that department, it simply comes down to talent. The Lions, who are now in prime position to land the #1 pick in the draft, surely are more excited for that than the rest of the games on their schedule. The Detroit Lions will look to grab their first win of the season next year, when they host the Minnesota Vikings.
Game Highlights (All footage courtesy of the NFL): Bears vs. Lions Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Las Vegas Raiders (6-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (7-4)
Final: Raiders-36 Cowboys-33
Player of the Game: Hunter Renfrow (Honorable Mention: Derek Carr)
The Las Vegas Raiders picked up an impressive win that they needed on Thursday. The offense was firing on all cylinders, even with the loss of star TE Darren Waller, who left in the middle of the game with injury. Hunter Renfrow was Carr’s safety blanket, as he finished the day with 134 yards on 8 receptions. The Vegas pass rush was effective as well, with the duo of Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue getting constant pressure as well. The Las Vegas Raiders will look to stay in the playoff hunt next week, when they host the Washington Football Team.
Since their hot start to the season, the Dallas Cowboys have sputtered as of late, now sitting at a 7-4 record. Dak Prescott had a nice game, as well as RB Tony Pollard. Ezekiel Elliot continues to battle through injury, and might even sit out in the near future to rest it fully. The Dallas defense was torched as well, after some good weeks. The Dallas Cowboys will look to quickly bounce back next week, when they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints on Thursday Night Football.
Game Highlights: Raiders vs. Cowboys Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Buffalo Bills (7-4) @ New Orleans Saints (5-6) (Thanksgiving)
Final: Bills-31 Saints-6
Player of the Game: Buffalo Bills
As the player of the game shows, this was a total team effort from the Buffalo Bills. After some weeks of inconsistent play, and media in the media doubting them, the Bills rallied together to get themselves right on Thanksgiving night. Josh Allen started off hot and cold, throwing 2 INT in the first half, but quickly played like himself in the second, throwing for 4 TD with an 82% completion. Stefon Diggs had the play of the day, cooking Marshon Lattimore for a TD. RB Matt Breida continued to show why he deserves more playing time as well. The Buffalo Bills will have their biggest game of the year next week, when they host the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football for the #1 spot in the AFC East.
The New Orleans Saints continue to struggle, their team being plagued by injuries. Trevor Siemian had a lackluster day, throwing for 163 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. The Saints offense never really had any sort of rhythm, only scoring a TD later in the game, and at that point, the game was mostly out of reach already. The New Orleans Saints will look to get back in the win column this Thursday Night, when they host the Dallas Cowboys.
Game Highlights: Bills vs. Saints Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)
Final: Bengals-41 Steelers-10
Player of the Game: Joe Mixon (Honorable Mention: Tee Higgins)
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to keep their AFC North hopes alive with a huge win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins carried the workload for the Bengals, Mixon rushing for 165 yards and 2 TD on 28 carries. The Cincinnati defense picked off Big Ben twice as well. The Cincinnati Bengals will look to continue their win streak next week, when they host the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled in recent weeks, and that trend continued on Sunday. From the jump, the Steelers fell behind, and they never recovered throughout. RB Najee Harris was held to only 23 yards rushing and 14 yards receiving. The Steelers, whose season is quickly slipping out of their hands, will look to right the ship next week, when they host the Baltimore Ravens in yet another important AFC North game.
Game Highlights: Steelers vs. Bengals Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Carolina Panthers (5-7) @ Miami Dolphins (5-7)
Final: Dolphins-33 Panthers-10
Player of the Game: Jaylen Waddle (Honorable Mention: Miami Dolphins Defense)
The Miami Dolphins have quietly won 4 games in a row, and climbed their way back into the AFC wildcard race. Jaylen Waddle had one of the best games of his career, totaling 137 yards and 1 TD on 9 receptions. Rookie DE Jaelan Phillips had the best game of his pro career, tallying 3 sacks on the day. The Miami Dolphins will look to continue their win streak next week when they host the New York Giants.
Cam Newton certainly did not have his best game, throwing for 92 yards and 2 INT, on 5/21 completion. Christian McCaffrey was hurt yet again, which we learned on Monday will end his season, a crushing blow for Carolina. WR D.J. Moore had a good game, hauling in 104 yards on 4 receptions. The Panthers will look get back in the win column when they come off of their BYE in 2 weeks.
Game Highlights: Panthers vs. Dolphins Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Philadelphia Eagles (5-7) @ New York Giants (4-7)
Final: Giants-13 Eagles-7
Player of the Game: New York Giants Defense
The New York Giants put away a Philadelphia Eagles team that was making an NFC wildcard push. Saquon Barkley rushed for only 40 yards, adding on to the doubt of his future as a New York Giant. The New York Football Giants played good defense against the somewhat hot Eagles, intercepting him 3 times. The New York Giants will look to add another win to their total when they travel to South Beach to take on the Dolphins.
After a few games where the Eagles were surging forward, their momentum was abruptly stopped on Sunday by their division rival. Jalen Hurts struggled, throwing 3 INT and 0 TD. The ground game was inefficient as well, with Hurts totaling most of the rushing yards. The Philadelphia Eagles will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Metlife Stadium to take on the Jets.
Game Highlights: Eagles vs. Giants Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Tennessee Titans (8-4) @ New England Patriots (8-4)
Final: Patriots-36 Titans-13
Player of the Game: New England Patriots Defense
The New England Patriots are arguably the hottest team in the league at the moment, having won their past six in a row. They spent a lot of money this past offseason, which usually doesn’t work in the NFL, but general manager Bill Belichick got his guys that he wanted, and now they are playing his brand of football. Perhaps the best free agency signing of this past offseason was Matt Judon, who has been phenomenal for the Pats. New England played a close game against Tennessee for the first half, but ran away with the lead in the second. The New England Patriots will play a crucial game next Monday night, when they travel to Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills in a game for the 1 seed in the AFC East.
The Tennessee Titans, after starting 8-2, have now lost their second straight game. After last week’s upset loss against the Houston Texans, the Titans find themselves trending downward after Sunday’s performance. Without offensive weapons Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, and Julio Jones, the Titans have struggled to generate a consistent offensive attack. The Tennessee Titans will look to bounce back in two weeks when they come off of their BYE.
Game Highlights: Titans vs. Patriots Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Atlanta Falcons (5-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)
Final: Falcons-21 Jaguars-14
Player of the Game: Cordarrelle Patterson
The Atlanta Falcons picked up a win on Sunday which keeps them in the NFC wildcard race. Cordarrelle Patterson had himself another great game that continues to prove how good of a free agent signing he was, the entire offense basically running through him. The Atlanta Falcons will look to add another win to their record next week, when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Jacksonville Jaguars continued their rebuilding season on Sunday, still not able to find their magic from their shocking win against the Buffalo Bills a few weeks ago. RB James Robinson was held to 86 yards rushing and Trevor Lawrence threw for 228 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. The Jacksonville Jaguars will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams next week.
Game Highlights: Falcons vs. Jaguars Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
Final: Buccaneers-38 Colts-31
Player of the Game: Leonard Fournette (Honorable Mention: Rob Gronkowski)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won in a thrilling shootout against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon, an effort that was carried on the shoulders of RB Leonard Fournette and TE Rob Gronkowski. Fournette totaled 131 yards and 4 TD while Gronkowski hauled in 123 yards on 7 receptions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to add on to their win total next week, when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons.
The Indianapolis Colts’ hot streak of wins came to an end on Sunday, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were just too much to handle. Carson Wentz had an eventful day, throwing for 306 yards, 3 TD, and 2 INT. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 83 yards and 1 TD. The Indianapolis Colts will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Houston to take on the Texans.
Game Highlights: Buccaneers vs. Colts Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
New York Jets (3-8) @ Houston Texans (2-9)
Final: Jets-21 Texans-14
Player of the Game: John Franklin-Myers
The New York Jets picked up a win against the Houston Texans, in a battle of two struggling teams. Zach Wilson returned to action, throwing for 145 yards, 0 TD, and 1 INT. DE John Franklin-Myers, who was just recently given a contract extension, had the play of the game, intercepting a pass from Texans QB Tyrod Taylor and returning it for a good amount of yards. The New York Jets will host the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
The Houston Texans, after their upset win against the Titans last week, came back to earth when they played the Jets on Sunday. Tyrod Taylor threw for 158 yards and 2 TD, along with 1 INT. Brandin Cooks finished the day with 45 yards and 1 TD on 3 receptions. The Houston Texans will host the Indianapolis Colts next week.
Game Highlights: Jets vs. Texans Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Los Angeles Chargers (6-5) @ Denver Broncos (6-5)
Final: Broncos-28 Chargers-13
Player of the Game: Javonte Williams
The Denver Broncos climbed the hierarchy of the AFC West with their victory over the L.A. Chargers. Javonte Williams led the way for the Broncos, totaling 111 yards and 1 TD. The Broncos defense played well, intercepting Justin Herbert twice, and putting their team in a good position to secure a win. The Denver Broncos will look to continue their battle for the AFC West crown next week, when they travel to Arrowhead to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.
The Los Angeles Chargers have turned into one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL with their play as of late. Justin Herbert threw for 303 yards, 2 TD, and 2 INT, while his leading receiver, Keenan Allen, hauled in 85 yards. The Chargers will look to bounce back next week, when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the 7-4 Bengals in an important AFC bout.
Game Highlights: Chargers vs. Broncos Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Minnesota Vikings (5-6) @ San Francisco 49ers (6-5)
Final: 49ers-34 Vikings-26
Player of the Game: Elijah Mitchell
The San Francisco 49ers picked up an important NFC win on Sunday, in large part to rookie 6th rounder Elijah Mitchell, who has proved to be one of the best value picks of the draft. Mitchell totaled 168 yards, and 1 TD on 32 touches. Brandon Aiyuk had a nice game as well, hauling in 3 receptions for 91 yards. The San Francisco 49ers have primed themselves to be in the mix for a wildcard spot until the very end of the season, and they will look to continue their momentum next week, when they travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks.
The Minnesota Vikings lost Sunday’s bout in a performance that they have grown accustomed to. A close game that goes until the final minutes, but are rarely able to consistently finish the job. Dalvin Cook left the game in the second half with injury, leaving the Vikings without their star RB for the next couple of weeks. The Vikings will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Detroit to take on the winless Lions.
Game Highlights: Vikings vs. 49ers Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Los Angeles Rams (7-4) @ Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Final: Packers-36 Rams-28
Player of the Game: Rasul Douglas (Honorable Mention: Aaron Rodgers)
With his second player of the game honor of the 2021 NFL season, Rasul Douglas has proved to be one of the best in-season free agent signings across the entire league. Douglas hauled in a crucial pick six on Matthew Stafford, which gave the Packers a good enough cushion to run away with this high powered NFC matchup. Aaron Rodgers finished the day with 307 yards and 2 TD, and Davante Adams finished the day with 104 yards on 8 receptions. The Green Bay Packers will look to add onto their win total when they come off of their BYE in two weeks.
After going “all in” by acquiring Von Miller and signing Odell Beckham Jr, the Los Angeles Rams have gone 0-3. With WR Robert Woods injured and out for the year, the Rams have lost a crucial component of their complex offense, a role that Odell Beckham Jr. will hope to fill in the upcoming weeks. Matthew Stafford finished the day with 302 yards, 3 TD, and 1 INT, while Cooper Kupp hauled in 96 yards on 7 receptions. Odell Beckham Jr. hauled in his first TD as a Ram as well. The Los Angeles Rams will look to bounce back next week, when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Game Highlights: Rams vs. Packers Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Cleveland Browns (6-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (8-3) (SNF)
Final: Ravens-16 Browns-10
Player of the Game: Baltimore Ravens Defense
The Baltimore Ravens picked up an important win on Sunday Night to propel themselves in the #1 seed in the AFC. Lamar Jackson had a less than desirable game, throwing for 4 INT, adding to his long streak of inconsistent QB play. The Ravens defense carried the team to put it simply, holding the Browns and their lethal rushing attack to only 10 points. The Ravens will look to hold their grasp of the #1 seed next week, when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in an AFC North bout.
The Cleveland Browns will have some problems to solve this offseason, none larger than the situation at QB. Baker Mayfield will be playing on his 5th year option next year, but Cleveland will have to decide whether they want to commit long term to him or not. It will be an intriguing situation to watch moving forward. As for Sunday night, the Browns offense was forced into a poor performance, especially when their main strength, their run game, could not get going. Kareem Hunt ran for 20 yards on 7 carries and Nick Chubb ran for 16 yards on 8 carries. The Cleveland Browns will look to bounce back in two weeks, when they come off of their BYE.
Game Highlights: Browns vs. Ravens Week 12 Highlights | NFL 2021
Seattle Seahawks (3-8) @ Washington Football Team (5-6) (MNF)
Final: WFT-17 Seahawks-15
Player of the Game: Antonio Gibson (Honorable Mention: J.D. McKissic)
The WFT picked up a win on Monday Night which will keep them in the race for an NFC wildcard spot, and potentially a shot at the NFC East. With the Philadelphia Eagles losing this week, the WFT will climb the rankings of the NFC East to now sit in 2nd place. Antonio Gibson had a performance that many have been waiting for, totaling 146 yards on 36 touches. His partner in crime, J.D. McKissic totaled 2 TD to put the WFt in a prime position to win. The WFT, now winners of three straight, will look to continue their streak next week, when they travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders.
The Seattle Seahawks season could potentially be over after their disappointing performance on Monday Night. Russell Wilson has now lost 4 straight games for the first time ever in his career, exemplifying just how poorly Seattle’s season has gone. WR DK Metcalf only had 1 reception for 13 yards, which is something the Seahawks would obviously want to change. When a controversial TE was taken away from WFT TE Logan Thomas, Wilson drove down the field and put the Seahawks in a position to win the game. After a failed 2 point conversion, the Seahawks recovered their own onside kick, but the play was called back due to an illegal formation flag. The Seahawks will look to salvage their season next week when they host the San Francisco 49ers.
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX7044puhzY