Nfl Week 12 Takeaways: What We Learned from Sunday’s 12 Games

Ravens Overcome Early Struggles for Crucial Win

The Baltimore Ravens managed to rally from a poor first half performance against the New York Jets. Despite facing a 7-3 deficit at halftime and producing just 72 yards of offense, Lamar Jackson’s team found their groove in the second half.

Three consecutive scoring drives by the Ravens in the third quarter provided the momentum needed to overcome their early struggles. Derrick Henry contributed two touchdowns in the process, showcasing his versatility as a running back.

Jet’s Mistakes and Penalties Cost New York

The Jets’ own mistakes, including defensive penalties and a questionable decision at midfield, played a significant role in their defeat. Tyrod Taylor led a balanced attack for the Jets, completing 17 of 28 passes for 222 yards with one touchdown.

However, a fumble by Breece Hall at the Ravens’ three-yard line sealed the game’s outcome, as did the Jets’ failed fourth-and-two conversion and a costly turnover on downs. Despite their efforts, New York’s rookie head coach will need to address these issues moving forward.

Steelers’ Defense Keeps Bears in Check

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to secure a win against the Chicago Bears, despite an inconsistent performance from quarterback Mason Rudolph. Rudolph, making his first start since 2023, filled in for injured Aaron Rodgers and led three long touchdown drives.

However, the Steelers’ offense struggled, particularly on third downs, where they converted only 1 of 13 attempts. Despite this, the Bears failed to capitalize, allowing a defensive score and giving up a 55-yard gain down to the one-yard line by Kenneth Gainwell.

Bears’ Offense Struggles in Red Zone

While the Chicago Bears’ defense performed admirably, holding the Steelers to just a field goal in the fourth quarter, their offense struggled to convert opportunities into touchdowns. Caleb Williams led scoring drives in all four quarters but threw an ugly interception that was returned for a touchdown.

The Bears managed to keep churning and were efficient on third downs (7 of 13) and on fourth down (1 for 1). However, they failed to score in the red zone twice, which allowed the Steelers to stay in the game. The Bears will need to improve their red-zone performance as they head into critical playoff games.

Patriots Face Challenges in Red Zone

The New England Patriots secured a victory against the Cincinnati Bengals but faced significant challenges, particularly in the red zone. Despite scoring a touchdown early in the game, the Patriots failed to find the end zone for the rest of the day despite having 392 yards of offense.

Drake Maye completed 22 of 35 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown but threw an ugly interception that was returned for a Bengals touchdown. The Patriots’ rushing attack also struggled, gaining just 66 yards on 18 carries from TreVeyon Henderson.

Bengals’ Offense Struggles Despite Improved Defense

The Cincinnati Bengals showed improved defensive performances but were unable to convert their opportunities into points. Joe Flacco led the Bengals with a pass completion rate of 67.5%, throwing for three touchdowns and completing 10 passes of 20-plus yards.

However, the Bengals’ offensive struggles continued as they converted just 3 of 13 third-down attempts. Despite staying in the game, the Bengals will need to find more consistency if they hope to compete against better teams down the stretch.

New York Giants and Detroit Lions Clash

In a high-scoring affair, the New York Giants and Detroit Lions traded blows throughout the game. Jahmyr Gibbs was the standout performer for the Lions, rushing for 219 yards with two long touchdowns, including a 69-yard house call on the first play of overtime.

Despite their impressive performance, the Lions faced challenges in converting opportunities into points, as they failed to find the end zone twice from inside Cincinnati’s 11-yard line. The Giants’ Jameis Winston also had a near-classic game, completing 366 yards with two touchdowns and avoiding pass rushers.

Key Takeaways

This Week 12 NFL action saw several teams facing challenges but ultimately securing victories through resilience and timely performances. Key takeaways include the importance of minimizing mistakes, the impact of red zone performance, and the need for consistent offensive output in critical games.

The Ravens’ late-game surge and the Giants-Lions matchup highlight the unpredictability and excitement that remains throughout the NFL season. As teams head into the final stretch, these performances serve as a reminder of the challenges ahead and the potential for upsets in the highly competitive league.