2024 NFL Week 12 winners and losers: Baker Mayfield, Bryce Younger existing out for NFC South; Texans factor in misplaced
One more week, yet any other stout slate of NFL motion near to in the books. And Week 12 has already been chock-stout of drama, from Cooper Speed and the sick Dallas Cowboys comely the Washington Commanders on the dual carriageway to Bryce Younger and the Carolina Panthers threatening Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Listed below are just a few of the most attention-grabbing winners and losers from Sunday’s matchups:
Winner: Bryce Younger
Matched up with one in all the NFL’s top defenses, the broken-down No. 1 plot shut in truth seemed the piece, conserving eyes downfield and floating one precision loft after yet any other in the face of Steve Spagnuolo’s rigidity. If no longer for Patrick Mahomes’ clutch gene, Younger would possibly perchance well well perchance’ve led the Carolina Panthers to a legit upset of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Loser: The Texans‘ playoff hopes
To make certain, Houston is composed the rightful current to prefer the AFC South, however we’re talking about the Texans’ potentialities of in truth advancing reach January. C.J. Stroud became as soon as sterling as a rookie, however he, like DeMeco Ryans’ protection, has been a long way extra frenetic in Year 2. That remained the case in a splashy however sloppy loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Winner: Baker Mayfield
Down numerous key teammates due to distress, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has been taking part in uphill for weeks, attempting to salvage the club’s NFC South hopes. His machismo became as soon as back on stout existing in opposition to the Unique York Giants, on the other hand; his tough-and-tumble efforts as a passer, scrambler and blocker headlined a huge prefer.
Loser: Matt Eberflus
For a minute on Sunday, the Chicago Bears coach seemed as if he would possibly perchance well well perchance upset the rival Minnesota Vikings, chiefly on tale of his rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, handled Brian Flores’ aggressive protection moderately successfully with his electrical arm. His protection as soon as extra faltered on extreme downs, though, allowing the Vikes to prefer it in time beyond regulations.
Winner: Jerry Jones
In the broad image, the Dallas Cowboys are composed very vital in danger. However beating the as soon as-vaunted Washington Commanders in a zany shootout, 34-26, will seemingly be a dinky bit cleave of validation for Jones, who insisted Cooper Speed offers Dallas the finest probability to prefer with out Dak Prescott. Speed hit 75% of his throws in opposition to Dan Quinn’s “D.”
Loser: 49ers’ title hopes
San Francisco came into 2024 as a bona fide Comely Bowl contender, or as a minimum by preseason projections. And it made sense; they near to dethroned the Chiefs in 2023, and in say that they retained all-famous particular person talent. Without an injured Brock Purdy, on the other hand, they dropped their 2d straight Sunday, falling below .500 with a no longer easy stretch forward. The protection became as soon as most pertaining to, surrendering practically 40 to the Green Bay Packers.
Winner: Mike Macdonald’s protection
The Seattle Seahawks snuck to the head of the crowded NFC West, and in say that they did it on a day Geno Smith threw an ghastly discontinuance-zone plot shut, Kenneth Walker barely ran for 40 yards and DK Metcalf had correct four catches. Macdonald’s “D” suffocated Kyler Murray and Co., racking up 5 sacks, eradicating Arizona’s toddle sport and scoring on a 69-yard plot shut six to shake up a very tight division.