Games of the Week
Chiefs 23, Colts 20
The Colts had a real chance to make a statement by beating the Chiefs in Kansas City and dropping them below .500. Instead, Indy played too conservatively late, allowing the Chiefs to score 11 unanswered in the fourth and win in overtime on a walk-off kick.
Jonathan Taylor was a non-factor, and the blueprint on Indy is out there now. Stack the box, make Daniel Jones beat you, and force him into long drives. Jones still played well, but the offense struggled to generate chunk plays, and that lack of explosiveness cost them.
Kansas City was the opposite. They moved the ball but struggled to finish drives. Still, a win is a win, and given their season to this point, that is what matters most.
Bears 31, Steelers 28
It feels like the Bears land in this section every week, but it’s hard to argue when every game comes down to the wire.
With Aaron Rodgers out and Mason Rudolph starting, Chicago expected a comfortable win. Instead, this turned into a surprising offensive battle, despite neither team reaching 350 yards. Ben Johnson continues to guide Chicago through these nail-biters, and if nothing else, this team is learning how to win close games. That matters in January.
Cowboys 24, Eagles 21
The upset of the week. Dak and the Cowboys found a way to steal a huge divisional game in the middle of an up-and-down season.
Dak looked sharp, his connection with George Pickens continues to grow, and the offense rolled up nearly 500 yards. Ten points in the fourth quarter sealed it.
The bigger story is Philadelphia. This Cowboys defense has struggled all year, yet the Eagles put up fewer points than anyone except the Raiders. Saquon Barkley looks worn down, and last year’s heavy workload may be catching up. The panic meter is rising, and they need answers fast.
Top Performers
Jameis Winston, QB, Giants
There were cleaner stat lines, but nothing more entertaining. Winston threw for 366 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick on exactly fifty percent passing… then added a 33-yard reception and a receiving touchdown after breaking a tackle and stumbling into the end zone. One of the wildest plays of the year.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
One of the greatest fantasy performances in league history. Gibbs rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns and added 11 catches for 45 yards and another score.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
JSN continues his incredible season. Now the NFL’s receiving leader, he set a franchise single-season record this week after posting 167 yards and two touchdowns with Sam Darnold feeding him the ball.
Chip Kelly Fired: More Changes Coming in Las Vegas?
The Raiders expected a spark from Geno Smith, Pete Carroll, and Chip Kelly. Instead, Geno has looked like the worst starter in the league, Carroll refuses to play rookies, and Kelly has now been fired less than a year after becoming the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL.
Carroll’s press conferences raise even more questions about the direction of the franchise. At 2-9, the only silver lining is the possibility of landing the number one pick. And with minority owner Tom Brady watching closely, more changes may be coming before the season ends.
Betting Strategy Adjustments After Week 12
Stay Away from Eagles Offensive SGPs
This offense is night and day from week to week. Too unpredictable to build player-driven parlays around.
Fade the Vikings Until Further Notice
J.J. McCarthy is having one of the roughest rookie seasons in recent memory, and it’s dragging down the entire offense. Avoid Minnesota sides and totals until things stabilize.
Be Careful With the Bears
Their one-score luck is borderline miraculous. These things usually regress. You can play favorable spreads, but be cautious taking their moneyline. The bottom could fall out at any time.
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