32 issues we realized in week 12 of the 2022 NFL season:
one. After two-thirds of the common season is over, images of the AFC and NFC playoffs are beginning to seize consideration. If the postseason begins tomorrow, which it would not, then three groups from every convention (Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Washington Commanders) that did not qualify in 2021 will enter the sphere. . .
1a. Since 1990, not less than 4 groups have certified for the playoffs each season after failing to qualify the earlier 12 months.
2. A (very) early payoff from the Jets’ determination to maintain Zach Wilson on the bench in favor of backup Mike White? Superb. White accomplished 22 of 28 passes for 315 yards and three TDs (two to WR rookie Garrett Wilson, who has but to catch Zach Wilson’s scoring hit) — and an outstanding 149.3 QB ranking — because the New York Jay mauled the Chicago Bears 31-10.
2a. In 20 NFL begins, Zach Wilson has by no means had a three-touchdown passing day and as soon as had a passer ranking in extra of 100.0 (101.1). White additionally had 405 yards and three factors (107.9 ranking) in a 34–31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals final season in his first profession begin, with Wilson out with a knee harm.
Observe each recreation: Present NFL outcomes
3. The Jets’ victory, mixed with the New England Patriots’ loss on Thanksgiving evening, returned New York again to the AFC draw because the seventh seed (third wild card), with the Patriots watched from the surface.
4. After all, Jets followers ought to tone down their enthusiasm, provided that their crew did not need to face Bears QB1 Justin Fields, who was sitting Sunday recovering from a left (non-throwing) shoulder harm. Chicago’s three wins this season have come as Fields beat fellow 2021 draft picks Trey Lance (San Francisco 49ers), Davis Mills (Houston Texans) and New England Mack Jones. Fields completed eleventh total in 2021, 9 spots since Wilson moved to the Jets at No. 2.
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5. The person Wilson changed, Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold, made his 2022 debut on Sunday after lacking many of the 12 months with a excessive ankle sprain sustained within the preseason. However even kicking off the rust, Darnold additionally seemed higher than Wilson, passing to the TD and regaining his finish zone fumble for an additional level, avoiding the losses that plagued him through the Jets. Even at 4–8, the Panthers’ win put them a recreation and a half forward of the NFC South lead.
6. Interim Panthers head coach Steve Wilks improved his document to three–4 after firing new Nebraska coach Matt Rule. Wilks was 3-13 in 2018, his solely season with the Arizona Cardinals.
7. Whether or not free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr., who was kicked off a airplane Sunday in Miami, formally guidelines out the Dolphins and Jets as potential suitors? I ask a pal.
eight. The Los Angeles Chargers and Cardinals entered Sunday amongst groups with .500 factors or worse, however with the potential to make it to the playoffs. It was the Bolts who broke forward within the desert with a 25-24 victory. And provides LA coach Brandon Staley credit score – whereas he usually makes dizzying choices based mostly on analytics, his name for 2 factors and a win after the Chargers hit a TD with 15 seconds left proved profitable and decisive.
8a. The Bolts (6-5) are one recreation away from the ultimate AFC playoff spot, whereas the fading playing cards (4-8) are three video games again within the NFC.
9. All issues thought-about, the Chargers are at present the darlings of Hollywood. Defending champion Rams and coach Sean McVeigh endured one other powerful recreation in a 26–10 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas Metropolis. It is the primary time the Rams have misplaced 5 video games in a row in McVeigh’s six seasons…and the primary time he is taken a single punch to the jaw from certainly one of his sideline gamers.
ten. The Chiefs, although improved to 9-2, did not look significantly sharp, turning the ball twice in opposition to QB3 Bryce Perkins, who made his first NFL begin, and the undermanned Rams.
10a. Although, frankly, these groups won’t ever dwell to see the 54-51 shootout the Rams received 4 years in the past on the Los Angeles Coliseum, the primary recreation in league historical past the place each groups scored 50 factors.
eleven. On Sunday evening, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts grew to become the primary participant in league historical past to move not less than 125 yards. in addition to speeding in half.
11a. Hurts and RB Miles Sanders additionally grew to become the primary Eagles teammates to move the 125 yard mark every in a recreation.
12. Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was unable to complete in opposition to the Eagles in obvious ache from an indirect harm earlier than succumbing to Jordan Love within the second half. With the pack right down to 4-8 gamers, it is perhaps time to take a more in-depth have a look at Love – and that could possibly be a vital step relying on Rogers’ well being.
13. The rising San Francisco 49ers received their fourth straight win, beating the New Orleans Saints 13-0 to clinch first place within the NFC West. Due to the Niners’ 4-0 division document, the second-place Seattle Seahawks could have a fair more durable time eradicating them.
fourteen. It was the primary time in 332 video games – the longest lively streak within the league relationship again to the 2001 season – that the Saints had been eradicated. The final crew to whitewash them was additionally San Francisco, courtesy of QB Jeff Garcia and WR Terrell Owens.
fifteen. For the primary time in his six-year Saints RB profession, Alvin Camara fumbled the ball twice in the identical recreation – as soon as at first of the sport and the opposite on the objective line. The 49ers rebuilt each.
16. The Seahawks suffered a brutal 40–34 dwelling extra time loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, who received in Seattle for the primary time since 1998, when each groups had been nonetheless affiliated with the AFC West.
16a. The backbreaker was equipped by RB Josh Jacobs of Vegas, who blasted his stomach for an 86-yard TD with an OT halfway. Jacobs, whose fifth-year choice was rejected by the Raiders’ new offseason administration crew, completed with a franchise-record 229 yards. His 303 speeding yards can also be a crew document and the seventh-highest scoring participant within the Tremendous Bowl period (since 1966).
17. ICYMI and also you most likely did it Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson threw one TD move in Sunday’s loss to Carolina. However Wilson grew to become the 14th participant in league historical past to hit 300 common season touchdowns.
17a. Broncos followers will most likely wince if Wilson equals Corridor of Famer John Elway on the all-time listing. Let’s experience…
eighteen. An extra time lack of the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Cleveland Browns means all 4 NFC South groups have a dropping document. It will not be a superb division, however it may provide compelling theater going ahead contemplating solely certainly one of its members is more likely to make it to the postseason. No membership has greater than 5 victories or lower than 4.
19. Bucks rookie TE Ko Kieft grew to become the 96th participant to catch a TD move from Tom Brady in a 23-year quarterback profession.
twenty. RB Nick Chubb’s OT-winning landing was the primary for the Browns since 1991.
21. The Cleveland win leaves the Browns 4-7, and quarterback Deshawn Watson’s suspension is over. Watson & Co. has loads of room to meet up with their new crew in three video games from the AFC’s final wild card slot with six video games to go.
22. In the meantime, the Commanders’ victory over the Atlanta Falcons ensured that each the NFC East and AFC East members would keep above .500.
22a. The NFC East will now be the primary division to ship all 4 of its golf equipment to the playoffs.
23. Even after RB Joe Mixon (concussion) and WR Ja’Marr Chase (thigh) had been eradicated, the Cincinnati Bengals received a playoff rematch with the Tennessee Titans 20–16. Cincinnati (7-4), who additionally edged out the highest Titans in Nashville in January, got here out on high within the AFC North.
24. Seems like Baltimore Ravens Okay Justin Tucker is nearly completely calibrated. Final 12 months (indoor) in Detroit, he hit an NFL document 66-yard area objective. On Sunday, Tucker’s 67-yard (outdoors) successful try in Jacksonville fell wanting Baltimore’s 28-27 loss. Tucker scored 13 factors for the Ravens.
25. However give the Jaguars credit score. Sophomore QB Trevor Lawrence ended his greatest day as a professional (321 yards, 3 TD passes and a 129.8 ranking) with a 10-yard TD move adopted by a two-point move with 14 seconds left within the one-point triumph.
26. Plus, the Ravens will be forgiven for getting damage Sunday by Jags mascot Jackson de Ville and that banana hammock.
27. For the primary time since 1994, when the NFL adopted the two-point conversion choice, a number of video games had been received by two-point touchdowns within the ultimate two minutes of the fourth quarter.
28. After outliving the Lions on Thursday, the Buffalo Payments’ Josh Allen grew to become the primary quarterback to win in opposition to Detroit, the Dallas Cowboys and prime time on Thanksgiving. All three of these victories have come within the final 4 seasons.
29. NFL landing chief Jamaal Williams, who hit the paint 13 instances, wants 4 extra to equal the Lions’ single-season document set in 1991 by Corridor of Famer Barry Sanders.
thirty. The Thursday afternoon recreation between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants averaged 42 million viewers on tv and digital platforms, making it essentially the most watched NFL common season recreation ever. It most likely will not come as a lot of a shock if the American crew is paired with the nation’s largest media market.
30a. And what a showcase for Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb, who’s beginning to show he has the most effective fingers within the league after a six catch (106 yard) strive in a 28-20 win over the Giants.
31. The Thanksgiving treble—the Vikings beat the Patriots 33–26 in late recreation—grew to become the preferred Turkey Day in NFL historical past. In keeping with Nielsen, the entire variety of non-recurring viewers of 138 million surpassed the earlier document of 126 million in 2016 and represents a 34% improve from final 12 months.
31a. This Thanksgiving additionally marked the primary time since 1926 that three video games had been performed, all of which ended by one level.
32. It has been 15 years since Washington Professional Bowl participant Sean Taylor was fatally shot whereas breaking into his South Florida dwelling. The group, for which he performed all 4 seasons, has since, actually, tried to deify him. Resolve for your self in the event that they hit the mark with what appeared like a really hasty unveiling of a monument to him, introduced final week and unveiled Sunday at FedExField, that includes members of Taylor’s household.
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Observe USA TODAY Sports activities’ Nate Davis on Twitter. @ByNateDavis.
