The longest week in the history of the NFL, 2020 NFL Week 12, is over. Some teams bolstered their playoff hopes, while others took steps back. Nonetheless, the three top teams in the league are pretty obvious, and the musical chairs for the fourth best spot continue. Familiar teams are still stuck at the bottom end of the NFL totem pole. Here is Four Up, Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 12.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Despite Uneven Performance, Retain Top Spot
Some may think it would have been easy to give the Kansas City Chiefs the number one spot over the Steelers this week. However, the Steelers have found ways to win every week, even when they have not played their best. Both quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Coach Mike Tomlin (who should be Coach of the Year) were critical of the team’s performance in their 19-14 victory over the Ravens on Wednesday. They did look uneven on offense, but they did their job on defense. When plays were there to be made on Wednesday, the Steelers made enough of them. Roethlisberger’s completion on third down to James Washington to basically seal the game was one of the prettiest throws a quarterback can make.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs got the best performance from a wide receiver this season from Tyreek Hill. His 203 receiving yards in the first quarter showed up the Buccaneers’ secondary. Hill would end up with 13 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns, but it was Patrick Mahomes who closed out the game. Teams have to wonder how they can stop him. He was able to finesse his way to first downs on the game-clinching drive as Kansas City won 27-24. The Chiefs play the Broncos on Sunday night this week, so Mahomes and Hill will be able to carry their momentum into primetime.
3. New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill and company were able to take care of the Broncos 31-3. Obviously for Denver, they had to start practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback due to their other quarterbacks being declared ineligible for the game. The Saints’ running game was led by Latavius Murray and not Alvin Kamara this game. New Orleans can smash teams in the mouth, and they have a serviceable defense. They arguably have a better defense than fellow NFC contenders Green Bay and Seattle, which gives them the upper hand to play in Tampa in February. Drew Brees will have a chance to get ring number two once he comes back from injury.
4. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry would have been the storyline for NFL offense this past week if it was not for Tyreek Hill. Henry’s 178 yards and three touchdowns were the catalyst for the Titans in their 45-26 drubbing of the Colts. This score line was shocking, considering the Colts beat the Titans 34-17 in 2020 NFL Week 10. Running the ball will be a strength for Tennessee in cold weather games in December and January. Because of this, they could beat a Kansas City or Pittsburgh team. The Chiefs and Steelers both have the upper hand, but the Titans could theoretically win based on time of possession.
Four Down: It’s The Same Story for The Worst NFL Teams After 2020 NFL Week 12
29. Philadelphia Eagles
Doug Pederson loves his analytics. With a chance to lessen the Seahawks’ lead to 20-12 on Monday Night, Pederson was feeling audacious and went for it on fourth down. Carson Wentz threw yet another horrible interception, and the Eagles would end up losing 23-17. Sometimes analytics are a good thing, but Pederson has to know what he is working with. He has a team that needs all the points it can get, even if that is three points. He is going to cost himself his job if his reckless decision making continues.
30. Dallas Cowboys
On Thanksgiving, everything unraveled for the Cowboys after a fake punt miserably failed. They would end up losing 41-16 to the Washington Football Team. Mike McCarthy, the same guy who would make the most conservative decisions in Green Bay despite having Aaron Rodgers, has bought a riverboat in Dallas. His decision-making is baffling considering what he would do in Green Bay. Packers fans remember him kicking all those field goals in Seattle in January of 2015, costing them a chance at getting to Super Bowl 49. The play looked like it could have worked and was, in theory, a decently designed play. However, it was not the right decision to fake it deep inside their own territory. That being said, McCarthy should get a fair shake in Dallas. It will be interesting to see how he does with Dak Prescott next year if Prescott is in a Cowboys’ uniform
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars started Mike Glennon at quarterback on Sunday. They were competitive with the Browns, but still fell short 27-25. Their GM, David Caldwell, got fired after the game. It would be surprising to see Doug Marrone still coaching in Duval County after this season. However, he is keeping his team competitive some weeks with far more talented teams like the Browns.
32. New York Jets
Adam Gase led his team to yet another loss to his old team, this time by a score of 20-3. Ryan Fitzpatrick was also the opposing quarterback to beat his old team. A Dolphins team that is supposed to be in rebuild because of how Gase’s tenure went down there is on track to make the playoffs. The Jets are on track to possibly draft Trevor Lawrence. The beleaguered Jets coach admitted that he has hindered Sam Darnold’s development and said that his left guard, Alex Lewis, may not play this week. It was talked about on the Rich Eisen show that Lewis said he should have left the team when Jamal Adams did. Does this really matter though? It is a foregone conclusion that Gase will probably be let go after the season.
Do you agree with our Four Up and Four Down after 2020 NFL Week 12? Tweet us, @unafraidshow, with your thoughts.
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