NFL Week 12 reaction: Top 5 storylines
Coming out of the weekend, we have five storylines gleaned from the NFL Week 12 reaction which stand above the rest.
5. The Packers might be the NFL’s best
Going into NFL Week 12, the Packers were without stars on both sides of the ball, including tight end Robert Tonyan, guard Elgton Jenkins, corner Jaire Alexander and pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith. No matter, as they clobbered the Los Angeles Rams, 36-25, at Lambeau Field. At 9-3, the Packers go to their bye week about to get healthier with a fairly easy schedule ahead. They’re about to go on a major run.
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4. The Rams have some real problems
Los Angeles, the loser to the Packers, has problems all over the place. The passing game looks lost over the past month, with the Rams 0-3 in that stretch. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is reportedly playing with myriad injures and if he doesn’t improve, it’s almost entirely on head coach Sean McVay and the defense to figure things out. That’ll work at times in the regular season, but come the playoffs, the Rams are sunk if Stafford isn’t right.
3. New England keeps rolling
The New England Patriots are the hottest team in football. Having won six straight, the Patriots are 8-4 and only trailing the Baltimore Ravens by a half-game in the AFC standings for first place and home-field advantage as the calendar turns for December. Mac Jones had a 300-yard game in the Patriots’ 36-13 triumph over the Tennessee Titans, who fell behind New England via tiebreaker in the standings. Next up? A Monday night clash with the Buffalo Bills.
Read: Vikings RB Dalvin Cook Carted Off With Shoulder Injury
2. The Steelers and Browns are finished in the AFC
It’s time to turn out the proverbial lights on both the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. On Sunday night, the Browns forced Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson into four interceptions and still only managed 10 points in defeat. At 6-6, Cleveland likely needs to win at least four games. Looking at its schedule, goodnight. Meanwhile, the Steelers are 5-5-1 after being hammered by the Cincinnati Bengals. Again, another tough docket and needing at least five wins? No shot.
1. We know who is winning the four NFC divisions
The divisional races in the NFC are over. The Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay are winning their respective gaggles. The only question is which teams gets home field throughout the playoffs, and who has to play on Wild Card weekend.
