The 32 issues we discovered from Week 12 of the 2022 NFL season:
1. With two-thirds of the common season full, the AFC and NFC playoff footage are starting to come back into focus. If the postseason started tomorrow – it would not – three groups from every convention (Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders) who did not make it in 2021 would advance into the sphere.
1a. Since 1990, at the least 4 groups each season have made the playoffs after failing to qualify the earlier 12 months.
2. (Very) early returns on the Jets’ determination to bench Zach Wilson in favor of backup Mike White? Spectacular. White accomplished 22 of 28 passes for 315 yards and three TDs (two to rookie WR Garrett Wilson, who has but to catch a scoring strike from Zach Wilson) – and a elegant 149.3 QB ranking – because the NYJ mauled the Chicago Bears 31-10.
2a. In 20 NFL begins, Zach Wilson has by no means had a three-TD passing day and has posted a passer ranking in extra of 100.0 (101.1) as soon as. White additionally handed for 405 yards and three scores (107.9 ranking) in a 34-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals final season in his first profession begin when Wilson was out with a knee harm.
Comply with each sport: Dwell NFL Scores
3. The Jets’ win mixed with the New England Patriots’ loss on Thanksgiving night time moved New York again into the AFC bracket because the seventh seed (third wild card) with the Pats on the surface trying in.
4. After all Jets followers ought to mood their enthusiasm given their workforce did not need to face Bears QB1 Justin Fields, who sat Sunday whereas recovering from an harm to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Chicago’s three wins this season have include Fields besting 2021 quarterback draftmates Trey Lance (San Francisco 49ers), Davis Mills (Houston Texans) and New England’s Mac Jones. Fields was taken eleventh general in 2021, 9 spots after Wilson went to the Jets at No. 2.
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5. The person whom Wilson changed, Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold, made his 2022 debut Sunday after lacking a lot of the 12 months with a excessive ankle sprain suffered in preseason. However even whereas knocking the rust off, Darnold additionally seemed higher than Wilson – passing for a TD and recovering his personal fumble ultimately zone for one more rating whereas avoiding the turnovers that plagued his time with the Jets. Even at 4-8, the Panthers’ win introduced them inside 1½ video games of the NFC South lead.
6. Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks improved to 3-4 because the firing of recent Nebraska coach Matt Rhule. Wilks was 3-13 in 2018, his lone season as HC of the Arizona Cardinals.
7. Unrelated, does free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. getting kicked off a aircraft Sunday in Miami formally rule out the Dolphins and Jets as potential suitors? Askin’ for a buddy.
8. The Los Angeles Chargers and Cardinals entered Sunday amongst groups wallowing at .500 or worse however with a chance to nonetheless make a playoff push. It was the Bolts who pushed ahead within the desert with a 25-24 victory. And provides LA coach Brandon Staley credit score – although he typically makes head-scratching analytics-based selections, his name to go for 2 factors and the win after the Chargers scored a TD with 15 seconds left proved profitable and decisive.
8a. The Bolts (6-5) are one sport out of the AFC’s ultimate playoff spot, whereas the fading Playing cards (4-8) are three again within the NFC.
9. All issues thought-about, the Chargers are presently Hollywood’s darlings. The reigning champion Rams and coach Sean McVay had one other tough go, dropping 26-10 to the Chiefs in Kansas Metropolis. It is the primary time the Rams have dropped 5 straight in McVay’s six seasons … and the primary time he is taken one to the jaw from considered one of his gamers on the sideline.
10. The Chiefs, although bettering to 9-2, did not look particularly sharp whereas turning the ball over twice towards QB3 Bryce Perkins, making his first NFL begin, and the undermanned Rams.
10a. Although, in equity, these groups had been by no means going to reside as much as that 54-51 shootout gained by the Rams 4 years in the past within the LA Coliseum – the primary sport in league historical past when each groups reached 50 factors.
11. Sunday night time, Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts turned the primary participant in league historical past to have at the least each 125 yards passing and dashing in a half.
11a. Hurts and RB Miles Sanders additionally turned the primary Eagles teammates to surpass 125 dashing yards apiece in a sport.
12. Inexperienced Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was unable to complete towards the Eagles, in apparent ache with an indirect harm earlier than giving option to backup Jordan Love within the second half. With the Pack dropping to 4-8, may very well be time to take an prolonged have a look at Love – and that could be a transfer of necessity relying on Rodgers’ well being.
13. The surging San Francisco 49ers gained their fourth in a row, blanking the New Orleans Saints 13-0 whereas shifting into sole possession of first place within the NFC West. The Niners’ 4-0 division document will make it even tougher for the second-place Seattle Seahawks to unseat them.
14. It was the primary time in 332 video games – the longest lively streak within the league, courting to the 2001 season – that the Saints had been shut out. The final workforce to whitewash them was additionally San Francisco, courtesy of QB Jeff Garcia and WR Terrell Owens.
15. For the primary time in his six-year profession, Saints RB Alvin Kamara fumbled twice in the identical sport – as soon as on the opening drive and one other on the purpose line. The 49ers recovered each.
16. The Seahawks suffered a brutal 40-34 extra time loss at house to the Las Vegas Raiders, who gained in Seattle for the primary time since 1998 – when each groups had been nonetheless affiliated with the AFC West.
16a. The backbreaker was delivered by Vegas RB Josh Jacobs, who exploded up the intestine for an 86-yard TD with OT midway over. Jacobs, whose fifth-year choice was declined by the Raiders’ new administration workforce within the offseason, completed with a franchise document franchise-record 229 dashing yards. His 303 yards from scrimmage are additionally a workforce document and seventh most by a participant within the Tremendous Bowl period (since 1966).
17. ICYMI, and also you most likely did, Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson threw one TD cross in Sunday’s loss at Carolina. However Wilson turned the 14th participant in league historical past with 300 regular-season landing throws.
17a. Broncos followers will most likely wince given Wilson tied Corridor of Famer John Elway on the all-time checklist. Let’s trip …
18. The primary-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ extra time loss to the Cleveland Browns means all 4 groups within the NFC South have a dropping document. It could be a poor division, however it might provide compelling theater down the stretch given solely considered one of its members will probably attain the postseason. No membership has greater than 5 wins or fewer than 4.
19. Bucs rookie TE Ko Kieft turned the 96th participant to catch a TD cross from Tom Brady through the quarterback’s 23-year profession.
20. RB Nick Chubb’s game-winning TD in OT was the Browns’ first since 1991.
21. Cleveland’s win leaves the Browns at 4-7 with QB Deshaun Watson’s suspension ending. Loads of floor for Watson and Co. to make up together with his new workforce three video games out of the AFC’s ultimate wild-card slot with six video games to go.
22. In the meantime, the Commanders’ victory over the Atlanta Falcons ensured each the NFC East and AFC East’s constituents all remained above .500.
22a. As issues stand now, the NFC East would change into the primary division to ship all 4 of its golf equipment to the playoffs.
23. Even with RB Joe Mixon (concussion) and WR Ja’Marr Chase (hip) out, the Cincinnati Bengals gained their playoff rematch with the Tennessee Titans 20-16. Cincinnati (7-4), which additionally ousted the top-seeded Titans in Nashville in January, moved right into a first-place tie within the AFC North.
24. Looks as if Baltimore Ravens Okay Justin Tucker is nearly completely calibrated. He drilled an NFL document 66-yard area purpose final 12 months (indoors) in Detroit. Sunday, Tucker’s game-winning try from 67 yards (exterior) in Jacksonville got here up simply brief in Baltimore’s 28-27 loss. Tucker scored 13 of the Ravens’ factors.
25. However give the Jaguars credit score. Second-year QB Trevor Lawrence capped his greatest day as a professional (321 yards, 3 TDs passing and 129.8 ranking) with a 10-yard TD cross and subsequent two-point cross with 14 seconds left within the one-point triumph.
26. Additionally, the Ravens may be forgiven for being traumatized Sunday by Jags mascot Jaxson de Ville and that banana hammock.
27. For the primary time since 1994, when the NFL adopted the choice for two-point conversions, a number of video games had been gained on two-point scores after touchdowns within the ultimate two minutes of the fourth quarter.
28. After surviving the Lions on Thursday, the Buffalo Payments’ Josh Allen turned the primary quarterback to notch wins towards Detroit, the Dallas Cowboys and in prime time on Thanksgiving. All three of these victories occurred prior to now 4 seasons.
29. NFL landing chief Jamaal Williams, who’s reached the paint 13 instances, wants 4 extra to tie Corridor of Famer Barry Sanders’ single-season Lions document, set in 1991.
30. Thursday afternoon’s assembly between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants averaged 42 million viewers – throughout tv and digital platforms – making it the most-watched NFL common season sport on document. Most likely not an enormous shock while you pair up America’s Group with the nation’s largest media market.
30a. And what a showcase for Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb, who’s beginning to make a case he is obtained the league’s greatest arms after a six-catch (106 yards) effort within the 28-20 win towards the Giants.
31. The Thanksgiving tripleheader – the Vikings outlasted the Patriots 33-26 within the late sport – marked the NFL’s most watched Turkey Day ever. Based on Nielsen, the 138 million complete unduplicated viewers quantity blew previous the earlier document (126 million in 2016) and represented a 34% enhance from final 12 months.
31a. This Thanksgiving was additionally the primary since 1926 that includes a trio of video games that every one completed with one-score margins.
32. It has been 15 years since Washington Professional Bowl S Sean Taylor was mortally wounded by a gunshot throughout a break-in at his South Florida house. The group for which he performed all of his 4 seasons has primarily tried to deify him ever since. Resolve for yourselves in the event that they hit the mark with what appeared an awfully hasty reveal of a memorial to him – introduced final week and unveiled Sunday at FedExField with Taylor’s members of the family in attendance.
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Comply with USA TODAY Sports activities’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.