2024 NFL Season, Week 12: What We Learned from Sunday’s Games
Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season brought another thrilling Sunday of football action. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from the day’s games:
NFC East Powerhouse Emerges
The Philadelphia Eagles continued their dominant run, dismantling the Dallas Cowboys 42-21 on the road. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was unstoppable, throwing for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 75 rushing yards and another score. The Eagles’ defense also stepped up, forcing 3 turnovers and sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott 5 times. With this victory, the Eagles extended their record to 10-1 and solidified their position as the clear frontrunner in the NFC East.
New Orleans Saints’ Revival Continues
The New Orleans Saints pulled off an impressive 27-20 upset over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Led by rookie quarterback Ian Book, the Saints put together a balanced offensive attack, rushing for 153 yards and passing for 220. Book threw 2 touchdowns and ran for another, while running back Alvin Kamara had 125 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. The Saints’ defense held Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady to just 208 passing yards and intercepted him once.
AFC North Battle Heats Up
The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals played a pivotal AFC North showdown, with the Ravens emerging victorious 24-17. Lamar Jackson had a strong outing, passing for 270 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 75 yards. The Ravens’ defense was equally impressive, sacking Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow 4 times and forcing 2 turnovers. With this win, the Ravens moved to 9-2 and took a one-game lead over the Bengals in the division.
MVP Race Tightens
Week 12 saw several MVP candidates put up impressive performances. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 35-24 win over the Tennessee Titans. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen passed for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts continued his stellar season with another standout performance. The MVP race is heating up with these quarterbacks all vying for the prestigious award.
Playoff Picture Takes Shape
With only 5 weeks remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The Eagles, Ravens, and Bills all hold strong leads in their respective divisions and are well-positioned for playoff berths. The Chiefs, Bengals, and Saints are also in the mix for wild-card spots. The competition for playoff spots will be fierce down the stretch as teams jockey for position.
Injury Updates
Several key players suffered injuries in Week 12. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott left the game against the Eagles with a knee injury. Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was forced out of the game against the Saints with a hamstring injury. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase missed the game against the Ravens with a hip injury. The severity of these injuries and their impact on the playoffs remain to be seen.
Conclusion
Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season provided plenty of drama and excitement. The Eagles continued their dominance, the Saints impressed with their upset win, and the AFC North battle heated up. The MVP race is still wide open, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. As the regular season winds down, every game will be crucial in determining who will compete for the Lombardi Trophy.