USA TODAY International Edition
Five crucial matchups in Week 12
The New Orleans Saints' running game has gone from one of the NFL's secrets to one of its most feared attacks.
Even amid a winning streak that stands at eight games, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara didn't receive the same recognition granted to Drew Brees and a surprisingly stout defense. But with even with Brees coming off a seasonhigh 385 yards passing in last week's win against the Washington Redskins, there's little question the offense depends on its running backs to set the tone.
Ingram and Kamara have more combined yards from scrimmage (1,925) than any other running back duo in the league. Ingram has 636 rushing yards in his last six games as well as a leaguehigh eight rushing touchdowns. The elusive Kamara, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a candidate for offensive rookie of the year by averaging 113 yards per game in that span.
The two will play a crucial role in a final stretch, starting Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, that will determine whether New Orleans can wrap up the NFC South and a favorable outlook in the playoffs.
With cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley out against the Rams, the Saints will have an even stronger interest in controlling time of possession through its ground game. But stopping the run has been a weakness for the Rams, who rank 28th with 123.3 rushing yards allowed per game.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald remains the biggest threat for disruption up front. But coach Sean McVay, who called the Saints offense a "nightmare" to prepare for, called for his entire unit to be more disciplined in its approach. Enduring its own difficult stretch with four of its final six games against teams with winning records, Los Angeles is looking to keep its lead on the Seattle Seahawks to claim its first playoff berth since 2004.
Here are four other matchups that will define Week 12 in the NFL:
Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt vs. Buffalo Bills' front seven
Both Kansas City and Buffalo are still in the AFC playoff picture but fading fast. The Chiefs have dropped four of their last five games, while the Bills have been blown out in three consecutive defeats.
Hunt's cooling off has coincided with his team's slide, as the rookie has averaged just 3.2 yards per carry in the last three games. He has not cracked the barrier of 100 total yards in that span after reaching the mark in each of his first seven games. With Kansas City looking to return to its early season form after Alex Smith threw 40 passes last week, Hunt could take on a more central role this week.
The failed experiment to install Nathan Peterman as starting quarterback might have been the primary source of unrest in Buffalo last week, but the defense is in disarray after yielding 135 points in the last three weeks. Sean McDermott's once-promising unit has been especially hapless against the run, allowing 212.7 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns on the ground during the skid. The Chiefs' misdirection could prove problematic, as the Bills can't afford to let Hunt break long runs again.
Denver Broncos QB Paxton Lynch vs. Oakland Raiders' secondary
The two longtime AFC West rivals each made significant shake-ups this week by firing coordinators. With their weak points aligned, the Broncos and Raiders should learn quickly whether the moves made a difference.
The firing of offensive coordinator Mike McCoy marked just the first half of Denver's upheaval this week, as Paxton Lynch was promoted to starting quarterback. Now on their third option after failed stints from Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler, the Broncos are looking cut back on turnovers after generating the second-most interceptions (14) and giveaways (23) of any team. But it's also time to look toward the future, as Denver is still unsure of what it has in Lynch, given the former first-round pick's limited body of work. With a potential top-10 pick in 2018, the Broncos need to know whether it's time to dip back into the draft for a quarterback.
Lynch couldn't be facing a much friendlier matchup than the one he'll see Sunday. Oakland's 26th-ranked defense has yet to haul in an interception all year, making the unit the first in NFL history to go this deep into a season without recording one. Even more troubling for the group, however, is the league worst 72.3 completion rate it is allowing. With John Pagano taking over as defensive coordinator after the midweek firing of Ken Norton Jr., the Raiders will likely try to dial up the pressure on Lynch and present him with fewer easy looks. But even with reigning defensive player of the year Khalil Mack, Oakland has just 14 sacks this season.
Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen vs. New York Jets S Jamal Adams
After racking up a season-high 45 points and 548 yards before the bye, Carolina's offense returns a critical component in Olsen. The veteran tight end gives Cam Newton a primary target in the passing game in what could be a fierce race in the NFC South.
Olsen returns to a much different Panthers team than the one he last played for before a broken foot landed him on injured reserve in mid-September. With Kelvin Benjamin shipped off to the Bills and rookie Curtis Samuel out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, the three-time Pro Bowl tight end gives Newton a trusted target alongside Devin Funchess. Carolina might look to keep Ed Dickson involved via two tight end sets after his emergence in Olsen's absence.
The Jets are one of two teams yet to allow an opposing receiver to have a 100-yard game this season. While covering Olsen likely won't fall to one player alone, Adams could shoulder a majority of the responsibilities. The first-round pick has put together a season worthy of defensive rookie of the year consideration, but he has struggled in coverage with five touchdowns allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.
Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. Baltimore Ravens CB Jimmy Smith
The loss of Deshaun Watson hasn't eradicated Hopkins from the Texans' offense. The wide receiver leads the NFL in targets with 115 and has 273 yards and two touchdowns in the three games since Watson's season-ending knee injury.
Baltimore's defense, however, has feasted against backup quarterbacks, with two of its three shutouts coming against the Miami Dolphins' Matt Moore and the Green Bay Packers' Brett Hundley. Tom Savage might be reluctant to test a Ravens defense that leads the NFL with 16 interceptions.
Smith might share responsibilities Monday night against Hopkins with Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr, but he's the best suited for the role amid a quietly strong season. Injuries could be key to this matchup, as both Smith (Achilles) and Hopkins (foot) were hampered this week. Follow Michael Middle hurst Schwartz on Twitter@ Mike M Schwartz.