As NFL Week 12 approaches, teams are eager to gain momentum with the postseason in sight. The final weeks of November see the league’s elite striving for strong finishes to secure playoff positions, while others aim to bounce back and enhance their chances in what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to the regular season.
Hot streaks are evident among teams like the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, both of whom have secured eight consecutive victories. The Patriots will aim to extend their winning streak to nine as they face off against the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Broncos enjoy a bye week. The Los Angeles Rams will look to push their own winning streak to six games, while the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens are both in pursuit of five straight wins. The Chicago Bears also hope to notch their fourth consecutive victory.
Amid these thrilling matchups, one of the standout storylines this week will be the debut of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as he leads his team on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Sanders has spent most of the season as a backup, but with his first NFL start on the horizon, he is tasked with revitalizing a struggling Browns offense. Cleveland’s offense has averaged just 16.2 points per game, a stark contrast to the Raiders’ defense, which has allowed an average of 25.3 points. This matchup of two teams looking to turn their seasons around (Cleveland with three straight losses and Las Vegas with four) adds excitement to Sanders’ debut.
In the NFC North, the Chicago Bears will welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers in a clash of surprising division leaders. Both teams aim to maintain their slim leads in tightly contested divisions. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will look to continue his development against a Steelers defense that has struggled to contain opposing passing attacks, while veteran Aaron Rodgers is also looking to bolster his team’s chances despite a recent wrist injury.
Desperation is palpable in Kansas City, where the Chiefs, holding a 5-5 record and facing two consecutive losses, prepare to take on the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts. A loss this week could severely hinder the Chiefs’ playoff hopes, significantly dropping their chances according to projections. Patrick Mahomes will need to rekindle his performance against a Colts team that has emerged as one of the surprise successes of the season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who started strong this season, are looking to bounce back after a troubling stretch of three losses in four games as they face the formidable Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are on a roll with five wins in their last six outings and present a significant challenge for a Bucs team trying to maintain its lead in the NFC South.
Finally, the NFC East rivalry heats up as the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the conference’s top teams at 8-2, prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys, who have struggled at 4-5-1 but possess a potent offense. The Eagles’ defense will face a test against quarterback Dak Prescott’s aerial assault, while both teams are looking to solidify their playoff aspirations.
As Week 12 unfolds, fans will witness critical matchups and the potential for pivotal shifts in playoff landscapes, underscoring the excitement that defines the league in this crucial part of the season.