The Kansas City Chiefs prove why they are champions as Saquon Barkley traces their history. Sky Sports NFL’s Neil Reynolds has the final say in Week 12 of the season.
People often joke that the NFL writes the script and it’s all controlled by the league office. Do you think I’m joking? You couldn’t make this up. Take half of what happens in the NFL to a Hollywood screenwriter and you’ll be laughed out of the office within seconds.
Week 12 is just another example…
The Chief proves why he is a champion.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
On the Inside The Huddle podcast, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold say Patrick Mahomes’ recent second-half winning drive for the Kansas City Chiefs further proved his elite status in the game.
One of those close, wild wins saw the Kansas City Chiefs record a 30-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers in a game that could not have been this close. The Panthers tied the game with 1.46 left on a Chuba Hubbard touchdown run and 2-point conversion, but left plenty of time for magician Patrick Mahomes. He moved the Chiefs into field goal range with a very clever 33-yard scramble.
He looked like he was going to go out of bounds, but knowing he had a timeout in the pocket, he went back in 10 yards later and picked up 23 more yards and they were in field goal range. Seconds later, Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yarder to put the Chiefs up 10-1, their best record in the AFC on the season. This is the 8th time this year that they have won by 1 point. They find a way, Mahomes always delivers in key moments and never seems to melt down. This is why they are back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
Heartbreaking in Washington
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Dallas Cowboys against the Washington Commanders in Week 12 of the NFL season.
Cowboy, Commander, Chaos. That’s exactly what we had in Washington when Dallas went on a five-game losing streak in a game where they continued to make too many big plays. It was heartbreaking for Washington as four touchdowns, a field goal, a two-point conversion and Austin Seibert’s crucial extra point failed in the final 3 minutes and 2 seconds.
They rallied late and fell behind 27-17 with 2.49 remaining. Jayden Daniels hit a field goal and then threw an incredible 86-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, but Seibert missed his second extra point of the game. An absolute heartbreaker for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have now dropped to three straight losses. Sometimes it’s impossible to explain how NFL Sunday unfolds.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jeff Reinebold describes some of the actions after the Commanders vs. Cowboys game as ‘high school-level mistakes’ on the Inside The Huddle podcast.
Chicago overtime drama
Want a rougher finish? So what’s it like playing at Soldier Field? The Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 30-27 in overtime on John Parker Romo’s 29-yard field goal. Minnesota led 27-16 with less than 30 seconds remaining, but Chicago scored a touchdown, converted a 2-pointer, recovered an onside kick and set up a Cairo Santos field goal from 48 yards as time ran out. Chicago had a chance to win by getting the ball first in overtime, but couldn’t finish it. Sam Darnold threw for 90 yards on the game-winning drive, giving the Vikings another victory. It’s an inexplicable victory. It just happened.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears in Week 12 of the NFL season.
Lions are legit!
The Detroit Lions won their ninth straight game on Sunday, reaching 10 wins for the first time this season, and the Chiefs soon followed suit. What’s so impressive about this is that there isn’t too much Jared Goff in it. He threw four touchdown passes and had a perfect quarterback rating the week before, but didn’t throw a single touchdown pass against Indianapolis. All three touchdowns came via Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, which is just further evidence of a truly great team that finds different ways to dominate and win every week. These Lions are real.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
On the Inside The Huddle podcast, Jeff Reinebold believes the San Francisco 49ers still have a chance at success this season despite their lengthy injury list.
San Francisco’s Problem
The Green Bay Packers certainly won 38-10 at Lambeau Field against the San Francisco 49ers. This was supposed to be a crossroads game for the 49ers and a test for the Packers, but it was never a contest. Injuries have hit the 49ers hard, but quarterbacking Brock Purdy feels like the straw that broke the camel’s back with Brandon Allen’s inability to get the job done.
The 49ers couldn’t handle Josh Jacobs. Josh Jacobs went downfield and missed tackles time and time again against a defense that lacked the intensity it usually vaunts. Not only was this a huge win for the Packers, it was also a damning indictment of where the 49ers are.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the San Francisco 49ers against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 of the NFL season.
Player of the Week – Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley could change that after Adrian Peterson won the award in 2012 when someone other than a quarterback won NFL MVP. He had a stellar performance in a 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, carrying 26 times for 255 yards and scoring on runs of 70 and 72 yards. He added 47 yards through the air, giving the Eagles 302 scrimmage yards as they won their seventh straight.
Barkley has been a perfect addition to this team and is on pace for 2,151 rushing yards. That would break Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards set with the Rams in 1984, a record that has stood the test of time. Barkley could use a break. But otherwise, the record will be firmly in his sights.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from Week 12 of the NFL season between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams.
Play of the Week – Jameis Winston’s Touchdown Run
I’m going to the snow globe game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Winston put it on the line, dived backwards into the end zone, and watched his helmet’s communication system hit the ground so hard that it shattered, filling our hearts with joy. As he throws the two-point conversion to David Njoku, it’s shaking before his eyes, but that kind of sums up Jameis in the Snow. He was a thoroughly enjoyable game and played with youthful exuberance and joy all night long in the Browns’ big win over the playoff-chasing Steelers.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston’s leaping touchdown put the quarterback on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ naughty list.
Coach of the Week – Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers
Matt LaFleur had a great game plan against a team that was on its knees. He controlled the clock, stole both sides of the ball, and dominated both sides of the ball on the ground. He let Josh Jacobs get the job done in the running game, weakening the 49ers defense and draining time of possession to limit San Francisco’s opportunities. He then shut out Christian McCaffrey to make it a Brandon Allen game. This wasn’t a game at all. He surpassed Kyle Shanahan on Sunday.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
As the show went into chaos, the TNF crew joined Jameis Winston of the Cleveland Browns to make snow angels following their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers!
On my radar…
On my radar is the race for the final playoff spot in the AFC. I think it’s going to come right down to the wire and make for some fierce competition. Under Sean Payton, now in Denver and with Bo Nix at quarterback, they are ahead of schedule and doing much more than any of us expected this season. Miami still has to play the Jets, Browns and struggling 49ers, but they have a big game at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night. And don’t rule out the Colts, who will close out the season with games against Jacksonville, Tenn., the New York Giants and a game against Denver in mid-December. There will be a few more twists and turns between now and the end of Week 18.
Watch Sky Sports NFL from 5pm on Thanksgiving Thursday. The Detroit Lions take on the Chicago Bears at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Dallas Cowboys taking on the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins taking on the Green Bay Packers.. Stream NOW.
