Seahawks get boost with NFC road win
NFL fans had a few of days to feast on leftovers and absorb the implications from a loaded Thanksgiving weekend that added new wrinkles to the still-developing playoff picture.
Here are winners and losers from
Week 12.
Winners
Seattle Seahawks: So much for a rebuild. They went on the road and toppled a tough Panthers team 30-27 on a field goal as time expired to climb to 6-5. Seattle now sits as the No. 7 seed — just behind Washington but ahead of Carolina after the tiebreakers are sorted. Quarterback Russell Wilson is spreading the ball around and completed passes to eight targets. Coach Pete Carroll deserves credit for getting young and unproven players to make big strides. Four of Seattle’s five remaining games are at home, and the Seahawks have victories over two other 6-5 teams (Panthers and Cowboys), which could figure significantly in tiebreaker scenarios. Philip Rivers: The Los Angeles Chargers pounded the Cardinals 45-10, and it was thanks to their quarterback. Rivers is playing MVP-caliber football, on pace to set career highs in completion rate, touchdowns and passer rating. Wth star running back Melvin Gordon likely to miss some time with a knee injury, the Chargers (8-3) will need Rivers to stay hot to remain in contention for the AFC West crown. Minnesota Vikings: They might have effectively ended the season for the Packers, but most important was securing a huge 24-17 victory in the division. The Vikings (6-4-1) now face two massive tests — next week against the Patriots and the following against the Seahawks — and both come on the road. Minnesota outgained Green Bay 416254 and the defense smothered Green Bay, allowing just two of 10 third-down conversions. Tom Brady: He was solid (20 of 31 for
283 yards and two touchdowns) in a 27
13 victory against the Jets, but it wasn’t necessarily his play that makes him a winner — it’s the positive developments surfacing around him. Right guard Shaq Mason and tight end Rob Gronkowski returned and had big impacts against New York. With rookie running back Sony Michel churning explosive plays and James White providing a change of pace, New England’s offense is poised to again operate at peak efficiency.
Losers
Pittsburgh Steelers: Turnovers cost them badly in a 24-17 loss to the Broncos. Pittsburgh entered the weekend slotted No. 2 in the AFC bracket, chasing the Chiefs. Now, the Patriots (8-3) and Texans (7-3) have leapfrogged Pittsburgh (7-3-1). The remaining schedule isn’t forgiving, with games against the Chargers (8-3), New England and Saints (10-1) looming. The good news is that the most important of those games — next week against the Chargers and Week 15 against the Patriots — are at home.
Jalen Ramsey: In an interview with GQ before the season, the Jaguars cornerback called Bills quarterback Josh Allen “trash.” With Buffalo’s 24-21 victory, Allen turned the tables. Ramsey did intercept Allen off in the second quarter, but it was negated by his illegal contact penalty. The Jaguars still are ri- diculously talented — though quarterback Blake Bortles (12 for 23 for 127 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions) isn’t the long-term answer in Jacksonville and was benched as the starter for the rest of the season Monday — but all the talking and expectations underscore the team’s inept 2018.
Hue Jackson: The Cleveland Browns, who fired Jackson last month, stomped on the Bengals 35-20. This comes after Jackson joined the Cincinnati staff to analyze opposing offenses and help coach Marvin Lewis devise ways to stop them. Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield was clinical, throwing for 258 yards and four touchdowns, and blasted Jackson after the game. Since Jackson was fired, Mayfield’s passer rating is 129.5, topped only by Drew Brees of the Saints (142.1) in that span. It’s especially damning that the Bengals allowed Cleveland’s offense to trample them, considering that Jackson has intimate knowledge of the roster and its strengths. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Browns safety Damarious Randall, who had been critical of Jackson after his dismissal, intercepted a pass and handed it to Jackson on the sideline.
New York Giants: Their path to the postseason was slim to begin with, but this was a game the Giants (3-8) absolutely had to have. Factor in that they blew a 16-point lead to the division-rival Eagles — who looked lifeless to start the game — and this loss is really going to sting. New York gained just 56 yards in the second half. Rookie running back Saquon Barkley dominated in the first half. In the second, he touched the ball just five times for 15 yards. Star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., after catching just two passes for 22 yards after halftime, criticized the game plan.
Mike McCarthy: He led the Packers to a Super Bowl in 2010 but might very well be coaching his last season in Green Bay. After their loss to the Vikings, the Pack look like they’ll miss the postseason for the second consecutive season. Most concerning is a continued inefficiency on offense in which Green Bay can’t find rhythm or identity. Injuries have been costly and the roster has some holes, but McCarthy has made some head-scratching decisions. The body language from his players in the loss looked like a team that knows the end is near.