Week 12 of the NFL season is complete, so we’re casting an eye over every game, identifying the big takeaways and digging into the markets.
Around The NFL
The Baltimore Ravens needed halftime to snap into gear facing a 7-3 deficit to the New York Jets. Tyrod Taylor looked in control of a balanced New York attack before Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry came to life to claim the 23-10 win.
Remarkably, the Chicago Bears are still at the top of the NFC North following their 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Aaron Rodgers couldn’t make it onto the field with Mason Rudolph getting his first start for the franchise in two years. While he had some nice moments, he couldn’t find points late against a desperate Bears defence.
We’d been waiting for Drake Maye to show signs of slipping up, and while he did struggle in Week 12, the New England Patriots hung on to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26-20 and earn their 10th win of the season.
The New York Giants threw everything at the Detroit Lions. If anything, despite losing 34-27 in overtime, the Giants came out looking the better of the two teams.
Josh Jacobs’ injury is a major concern for the Green Bay Packers but they managed to outlast the Minnesota Vikings 23-6 in Week 12. J.J. McCarthy was ineffective enough that talk of a possible benching popped up post-game.
If a QB spikes the ball every play, his passer rating would be 39.6.
This is the 2nd time this season that J.J. McCarthy finished a game w/ a passer rating below 39.6 (34.2) pic.twitter.com/82kIBJYXQS
— WTF Stats (@WTFstats) November 24, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs had built a reputation as close-game wizards but dropped their first five this season. However, having mounted a comeback against the Indianapolis Colts, we finally saw the Chiefs of old as they claimed a 23-20 overtime win. While Patrick Mahomes had his moments, it was the defence that stood up when it mattered. The Colts ran 12 plays in the 4th quarter and overtime without gaining a first down.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had himself a two-touchdown day to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a tighter-than-excepted 30-24 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Jacksonville Jaguars were forced to work even harder to beat the lowly Arizona Cardinals 27-24 in overtime.
The Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll sacking their offensive coordinator, and not two staff members carrying the same last name, is all we really need to say about their 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Pete Carroll firing everyone EXCEPT the position coach/coordinator that makes the most sense after the QB gets whacked 10 times and his constant complaints about the lack of a run game.
And we know why. Raiders fans know why.
— Moe Moton (@MoeMoton) November 24, 2025
In the biggest shock of the week, and the NFL season so far, the defending-champion Philadelphia Eagles blew a 21-point lead before eventually falling to the Dallas Cowboys 24-21. Just as they did in Week 1 against Dallas, Philly scored on three straight possessions. However, they fell asleep from there and allowed Dak Prescott and George Pickens to dominate.
There wasn’t anything to write home about as the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 24-10. Later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers failed to throw a punch after Baker Mayfield went down in their 34-7 loss to the LA Chargers.
Finally, the San Francisco 49ers manager to overcome three Brock Purdy interceptions to beat the Carolina Panthers 20-9.
3 Takeaways From Week 12
Rams Pass Another Test
The Los Angeles Rams added to their Super Bowl LX credentials with a convincing 34-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford strengthened his case to be named the Most Valuable Player by completing 25 of his 35 attempts for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
Notably for Stafford and the Rams is he played another clean game to extend his streak without throwing a pick to eight. He’s not giving the opposition cheap possession and a chance to fire back.
In 2020, Aaron Rodgers threw 48 TD passes and just 5 INTs. I never thought we'd see a bigger gap in TDs to INTs in a single season.
Through 11 games, Matthew Stafford has thrown 30 TDs and just 2 INTs.
Simply remarkable run the last two months from Stafford. pic.twitter.com/wqN6XH2adt
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) November 24, 2025
The Rams face tough opposition in the NFC. Despite playing with the best record right now, they still have the Eagles, Lions and Packers to deal with.
Stafford playing out the best statistical season of his career helps. He’s already thrown for 2,830 passing yards and 30 touchdowns to become the first quarterback since Tom Brady in 2023 to throw for 30 in 11 games. He’s made the most of a formidable receiving duo in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and while there are other short-priced contenders around them, no team can keep up with the Rams when they’re firing on all cylinders.
Something Isn’t Right In Detroit
For NBA fans, you might see a bit of the LA Clippers in the Detroit Lions. There had been a lot of talking before the walking, and they’ve not been able to back up the talk or the NFL Draft pep rally.
It hasn’t helped that the Lions lost a genius in Ben Johnson for Dan Campbell to now run the offence on a more vibes-based approach. As a result, the Lions have struggled for consistency with the ball. If not for Jahmyr Gibbs and his 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground to go with 45 yards and another score in the air, the Lions would be in a real fight to even make the playoffs despite what their $1.30 to do so suggests.
The offensive line had been a strength but isn’t living up to the reputation this season. As a result, the heavy reliance on the likes of Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jared Goff is proving to be an issue. The lack of help has seen their third-down conversion rate drop significantly, too.
There is still plenty of talent on the roster. However, it looks unlikely that it will all come together well enough to be a threat in the post-season.
To Make The Playoffs: Bears – $1.53, Chargers – $1.62, Texans – $2.50, Steelers – $3.40, Panthers – $5.50
Shedeur’s First Start
Love him or hate him, rate him or not, everybody had an eye on Shedeur Sanders in his first NFL start this week.
Running out onto the field to start following a relief stint in Week 11 that couldn’t have gone much worse, Sanders did enough to impress. Most importantly, the Cleveland Browns picked up a valuable win and he showed positive signs throughout.
The Browns certainly shielded him, drawing up only 20 passing yards attempted in which he connected on 11 for 209 yards.
While he canceled out a touchdown pass with an interception, he recorded another big time throw and finished with 10.45 yards per attempt which, according to Pro Football Focus, is the 15th best mark of a Browns quarterback since 2006.
Sanders won’t be the savior for the Browns this season. He might not even play behind this week. Still, he gave a good enough account of himself that Dillion Gabriel is under pressure to keep his job.
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