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After some high-octane matchups over the last couple of Thursday nights, Week 12 kicked off in a more old-school fashion with a classic rivalry game between the Steelers and Browns played in the snow.
There are some fun matchups on this Week 12 slate, however, "Bye-Mageddon" certainly does take a little of the sizzle away, as six teams will be resting up this week.
From the good to the bad and the ugly, we'll go through every Week 12 game in this article, offering picks, predictions, and analysis for each and every one. Thanks for joining us here at RotoBaller; let's dive into the slate!
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Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Cleveland Browns 14
These squads are headed in different directions, as the 8-2 Steelers have serious title aspirations, while the 2-8 Browns are simply playing at the string at this point.
While Cleveland doesn't have anything to play for, expect Kevin Stefanski's squad to give Pittsburgh all they've got in an attempt to defend their home turf. We saw the Browns rise up and defeat the Ravens in Cleveland back in Week 8, and I look for them to keep this one close as well.
gotta love being under the lights
📸: https://t.co/NE15HVPDZi pic.twitter.com/ffTXT6LJ3L
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 22, 2024
However, the Steelers should outlast any upset bid behind a stout defense that's allowing the NFL's second-fewest points per game and an offense that's trending in the right direction with Russell Wilson under center.
Kansas City Chiefs 27, Carolina Panthers 10
After suffering their first loss of the season last week in Buffalo, we can expect an angry bunch of Chiefs to show up in Week 12. Though the Panthers surprisingly logged back-to-back wins ahead of their Week 11 bye, Bryce Young and company don't have much hope against this seasoned KC squad. The Chiefs are superior on both sides of the ball and will resume their winning ways in Carolina.
Minnesota Vikings 21, Chicago Bears 17
Meeting for the first time in 2024 with another date set for Week 15, these old-school NFC North rivals will meet in the Windy City in Week 12. Though they'll be in front of their home crowd, it's fair to wonder just how much fight the Bears have left following a heartbreaking loss to the Packers last week, which marked their fourth-straight defeat.
Chicago fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in hopes of sparking an abysmal unit ahead of Week 11. While Thomas Brown called the plays, and there were some improvements, the Bears still managed just one touchdown against Green Bay.
Things certainly won't get any easier for rookie Caleb Williams this week, as the Vikings boast one of the league's most aggressive and creative defenses. Though Minnesota's Sam Darnold has cooled considerably since his hot start to the season, the Vikes will get it done here behind their defense.
Houston Texans 20, Tennessee Titans 17
The Texans are cruising in the AFC South, but shouldn't overlook divisional rival Tennessee this week. I expect Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans to have his squad focused and ready to play this week, as they look for their fourth straight win over the Titans.
Joe Mixon has played like a man possessed in his first year in Houston. The veteran is coming off a three-touchdown beauty against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football and should once again be dangerous against an underrated Tennessee defense.
It's the Titans offense that has been and remains the problem, as this Will Levis-led attack comes in ranked 28th in the NFL in points per game. It will remain tough sledding against the Texans.
Detroit Lions 31, Indianapolis Colts 13
Dan Campbell's scrappy bunch enters this matchup against the Colts as the NFL's hottest team. Sporting a 9-1 record, Detroit holds serious title aspirations. The same can't be said of this 5-6 Indy squad, though Anthony Richardson did look good in his return to the lineup last week.
Dan Campbell sharing his thoughts on Anthony Richardson: pic.twitter.com/6xvZLCelLL
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) November 20, 2024
The Colts have been a much better team at home, but should probably hit the pause button on A-Rich's comeback this week. Detroit has scored 30 or more points in five of their last seven games and an Indy defense that's allowing over 390 yards per game has little chance of slowing them down.
Miami Dolphins 27, New England Patriots 23
The winners of two in a row, the Dolphins are kinda, sorta starting to look like the team we expected in 2024. Miami's 34 points against the Raiders in Week 11 was a season-high, and Tua Tagovailoa tossed three TDs in the team's win over Las Vegas.
The 'Fins stay in South Beach for a Week 12 divisional date with the Patriots. New England continues to fight hard with rookie QB Drake Maye under center, though their offensive line ranks as one of the NFL's worst. Miami will outrun the scrappy Pats in the comforts of Hard Rock Stadium.
Tampa Bay Bucs 27, New York Giants 13
Tampa Bay expects to have star receiver Mike Evans back in the lineup following a three-game absence, while New York will be rolling out hometown favorite Tommy Devito at quarterback in place of Daniel Jones. The move very likely signals an end to Jones' time with the Giants, as well as a new direction for a G-Men offense that ranks dead last in the NFL in points scored per game.
Baker Mayfield has shown that his 2023 season was no fluke, as he's thrown for 2,505 yards and 24 TDs for an explosive Bucs offense. Evans' return will certainly help against a New York pass defense that's been surprisingly stingy. Despite Jones' long-awaited benching, there's little hope that DeVito - who averaged just 122 passing yards per game in nine appearances last year - is the solution for the Giants.
Washington Commanders 23, Dallas Cowboys 16
After a hot start to the season, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have now lost two straight against stiff competition in the Steelers and Eagles. They should get back on track this week against their long-time rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, as Mike McCarthy's squad continues to circle the drain following a Monday night loss to Houston that dropped them to 3-7.
If Dallas fans want to look for a silver lining, Cooper Rush did throw for 354 yards in Week 11, although he needed a ridiculous 55 attempts to get there.
Former Cowboys defensive coordinator and new Commanders head coach Dan Quinn already has this Washington unit playing at a much higher level. Look for them to give Rush trouble, while Daniels has a terrific chance to get back on track against a Dallas defense that's one of the league's worst.
Denver Broncos 27, Las Vegas Raiders 14
Don't look now, but Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos are heating up. A 38-6 beatdown of Atlanta last week was inarguably the best game as a pro for rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who threw for 307 yards and a career-high four TDs against the Falcons.
The Raiders made some notable improvements under interim OC Scott Turner in last week's loss to Miami, but there are still plenty of issues on both sides of the ball for the Silver & Black, who fell to 2-8 on the year.
Antonio Pierce's group will be fired up to host the Broncos at Allegiant Stadium but will fall short against a Denver defense that's one of the best in the league and an offense that's trending up.
San Francisco 49ers 24, Green Bay Packers 23
INJURY UPDATE: Brock Purdy looks doubtful to play
Both of these NFC contenders underwhelmed last week, as the Packers escaped Chicago with a win thanks to a last-second botched field goal and the Niners fell to the Seahawks on a Geno Smith TD run with 18 seconds remaining. These squads entered 2024 with Super Bowl aspirations but will need to get things in gear down the stretch, making this a pivotal showdown at Lambeau Field.
#49ers Kyle Shanahan says Brock Purdy did not return to practice after leaving to get treatment, via @KNBR
No strong indications on his availability vs Packers pic.twitter.com/xTO7tQy2oS
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) November 21, 2024
We'll need to keep an eye on some Niner injuries (big surprise), but assuming Brock Purdy and George Kittle both suit up, it's as close as we're going to see this offense to full strength.
While Jordan Love was an efficient 13 of 17 for 261 yards against Chicago last week, he also threw his league-leading 11th interception. Those mistakes can be the difference against teams of the Niners caliber, and I look for San Francisco to get back above .500 here.
Seattle Seahawks 21, Arizona Cardinals 20
This NFC West showdown carries serious divisional ramifications. The winners of four straight, the surprising Cardinals sit atop the NFC West at 6-4, while the 5-5 Seahawks are looking to stay squarely in contention following an upset win over the 49ers in Week 11.
All signs seem to point to Arizona here, as they are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and are coming off a bye. However, visiting cold and rainy Lumen Field is a big equalizer.
Seattle has won five in a row in this series, and last week's late-game heroics against the Niners should give Mike Macdonald's squad a big momentum boost. This one seems destined to be close, but we'll side with the Seahawks at home.
Philadelphia Eagles 23, Los Angeles Rams 21
We close out the Sunday slate with an intriguing matchup between the Eagles and Rams. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both finally in the lineup, Matthew Stafford carved up New England for 295 yards and four TDs in L.A.'s Week 11 win.
Philly stretched their winning streak to six with a victory over Washington last Thursday night. The Eagles have a point differential of +90 over their six-game win streak.
Jalen Hurts and company are rolling after a sluggish start to the season, though the catalyst for this Philly offense has truly been Saquon Barkley. The Eagles lead the NFL with 181.3 rushing yards per game and face a Rams defensive front that's relinquished 1,008 yards and six TDs on the ground to opposing running backs this season.
The combination of Kupp and Nacua is certainly scary for any secondary, though Philly is uniquely equipped to challenge them thanks to the addition of rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to their defensive backfield.
Los Angeles Chargers 27, Baltimore Ravens 24 (Monday Night Football)
The Harbaugh Bowl! Brothers John and Jim will square off on Monday Night Football at the helm of two good teams. Jim has wasted little time changing the culture in L.A., as Justin Herbert has played some of the best football of his career in recent weeks. The Bolts also field one of the league's best defenses, as the squad is currently relinquishing the NFL's fewest points per game.
"But they don't know that we know that they know," One of greatest Friends lines of all time.
There will be some of that Monday night between the Ravens-Chargers and all the former Ravens in LA and Jim vs. John. pic.twitter.com/oMUb9CfSxg
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) November 21, 2024
Conversely, John's Ravens have been surprisingly leaky on the defensive side of the ball. Baltimore stands dead last in the league in passing yards allowed per game. While this offense that features Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is undoubtedly dynamic, the Chargers' stout defense should be able to slow them down just enough to squeak out an upset win at home.
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