Week 12 NFL Rundown: Playoffs Taking Shape
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
Week 12 NFL Highlights
We’re now a week before Thanksgiving, and the divisional races are starting to take shape. In the NFC, we might be in for one of the more interesting divisional races in the West, because the four teams are separated by a single game. If the Cardinals lose this week and the other three win, all four would be tied at 6-5 with six games to play.
In the AFC, 6-5 gets you a spot in the playoffs with room to spare. The Denver Broncos currently hold the last playoff spot, because only seven teams in the AFC have managed to make it over .500 at this point. Currently, the Broncos hold a one-game lead on Indianapolis, with Cincinnati and Miami in the mix. That’s how shallow the AFC playoff pool is: teams with four wins can reasonably think about making the postseason.
In the NFC, that’s not good enough, in part because of how strong the NFC North has been. Minnesota and Green Bay hold the first two wild card spots, because neither has been able to catch up to Detroit. The Lions hold the No. 1 seed and have already beaten both Minnesota and Green Bay on the road. If anyone wants to take their spot from them, they’re going to have to beat the Lions at Ford Field, which isn’t working out for those who try.
Here’s a look at what’s coming in Week 12 for your NFL Predictions:
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts
Is the recent improvement from Anthony Richardson real, or is it just a product of him getting to play the Jets? New York has clearly given up on the season, and Indianapolis has been the type of team that plays everyone close this year. The Colts have only had two games decided by seven points or less, and not coincidentally, those were the two games against Minnesota and Buffalo, the two best teams on the schedule.
Facing Detroit is a completely different beast. The Lions have been destroying their opponents, pounding everyone except Houston and Minnesota by at least 10 points. Detroit almost seems to be competing with itself, especially when facing the lesser squads of the NFL. During their eight-game win streak, the Lions have faced Jacksonville, Tennessee and Dallas, none of whom will be going to the playoffs. The combined score of those three games: Lions 151, Opponents 29.
If the Colts can keep the game close, it’ll be a strong indication that Richardson has listened and learned from his benching. The Colts’ biggest goal for this season isn’t to get to the playoffs; it’s to get Richardson through the year safely and ready to lead the team next season. The Lions should win, but it’ll be interesting to see if it’s by a little or if it’s another rout.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Are the Cardinals really for real? Arizona started off with four defeats in its first six games, with two of those being routs against Washington and Green Bay. The Cardinals have since won four in a row, but it’s uncertain whether they’re really a good team or just beating up on a soft spot in their schedule. Beating the Chargers was a good win, but the Bears have no offense and the Jets are simply a disaster.
Seattle probably wishes this game was in Arizona instead of at home. The 12s haven’t made any kind of difference at all for the Seahawks this season, as Seattle has lost four straight at home but has looked good when it’s played on the road. Given that the Seahawks’ past two road wins were over Atlanta and San Francisco, that’s not a product of the schedule. The Seahawks have won six of seven in this matchup, and they’ll need a win here to keep their division hopes alive.
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
The 49ers look like they might be a bit of a lower-class team this year. They’re capable of challenging the NFL’s best, but their best win of the year is probably Seattle. They did manage to get themselves to 5-5, but they do not look anywhere near like the team that won the NFC last year and nearly beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Green Bay looks like it’s probably the fourth-best team in the NFC, behind Detroit, Philadelphia and Minnesota. Of course, those were the three teams who beat the Packers, so that’s not exactly much of a statement. The Packers will likely face Atlanta or the NFC West champion in the first round of the playoffs, and San Francisco has a chance to be that champion. The Packers have to make a statement here and show they’re the stronger of the two.
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers
Are the Chargers really a contender? Like a lot of teams, Los Angeles has a strong-looking record, but the Chargers really haven’t been beating good teams. The best win the Chargers have this season is Denver, which is acceptable but far from good. They haven’t been getting blown out by good teams, but they haven’t been beating them either. Against playoff teams Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Arizona, the Chargers are 0-3 and haven’t scored more than 15 points.
Baltimore has been much more battle tested and already drilled a few solid teams. The Ravens also have no margin for error at this point. They’ve played a tough schedule and sit behind the Steelers after losing last week. Pittsburgh is about to hit the toughest part of the schedule, so Baltimore will still have time to bounce back if the Steelers stumble. But to do that, the Ravens can’t afford to make a mistake. Against Los Angeles, they should be looking to make a statement. And this is exactly the type of game where the Ravens usually do that.
