The NFL Roundup 2017 - Week 12

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Here we go ladies and gentlemen, there are only a few weeks left in the regular NFL season and if last weekend was any indicator of how much wins matter to the teams headed for the postseason and those on the bubble, then this weekend is likely going to be just as, if not more intense when it comes to the play we see on the field. Which means it is going to be a weekend filled to the brim with quality games and fascinating stories and here the top ones we will be keeping an eye upon in Week 12.
 
Can the Los Angeles Rams rebound against the Saints?
Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings had to sting and sting badly for the Los Angeles Rams simply because the Vikings were able to do the impossible and shut down that vaunted L.A. offense all day long and unfortunately for the Rams, the blueprint Minnesota laid out to make that happen is undoubtedly being studied carefully by the New Orleans Saints which begs the question…can the Rams rebound against the Saints? Honestly, that’s quite the challenge to put before them. After all, New Orleans was fearless and patient against the Redskins this past week and if they show the same resolve and mix in some of Minnesota’s defensive magic, expect the Rams to lose their second straight game in a row.
 
Will the new look offense for the Denver Broncos make a difference on Sunday?
The time has come for a fresh start in the Mile High City and come game time against the Raiders, the Broncos will debut a brand-new offense from the mind of Bill Musgrave, one that is to be executed by a new quarterback under center in Paxton Lynch. But, of course, everyone is wondering, will these changes matter when all is said and done? Well the answer to that question is a big, fat, maybe, simply because we really have no clue what Musgrave and Lynch will bring to the table. But if Lynch can lead the offense into the end zone and not throw interceptions left and right, then progress has at least come to Denver and if he can indeed provide the spark this team has been waiting for, then there’s a fair chance the Broncos will give the fans what they want and finally snap their six-game skid.
 
The Buffalo Bills need to settle their quarterback situation.
A couple of weeks ago, I gave the Bills serious credit for having the guts to make a quarterback change when they felt the team needed a spark and well, I clearly need to retract that statement. Not because Nathan Peterman was downright awful, but because they pulled him at halftime and put in Tyrod Taylor, a man they benched because they don’t believe he has what it takes to lead this team and well…that move was just downright idiotic. It’s one thing to take a few weeks to evaluate whether a QB is performing or not and then make another switch, but it’s downright ludicrous to go back to a guy that you don’t think can handle the starting position in the middle of a game. So, really, Buffalo just needs to make a decision at QB, stick with them for a bit and deal with whatever comes their way because of it, and if they can’t handle something as simple as that, then they don’t deserve a spot in the playoffs.
 
Don’t be surprised if the Chargers beat the Cowboys this weekend.
The Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are the two teams in the NFL that completely and utterly exposed every single flaw that the Dallas Cowboys have to offer and those weaknesses are something I fully expect the Chargers to go after this weekend. Because the Chargers want this season to end on a high note and the more wins they gather up, the closer they get to that, and since Dallas has proven time and time again that they are not a mentally tough team, and considering the fact that they are riding a two-game losing streak, expect Los Angeles to come out of the gate swinging and don’t be shocked if they too make Dak look like a second-string quarterback and torch the Dallas defense on their way to a big-time victory.
 
Can the New York Giants pull off another win?
A win is a win in this league, regardless of how ugly it turns out to be so you know the Giants are celebrating their victory over Kansas City regardless of the score and you also know, they’re looking to add another triumph to the win column and the big question of the hour is, can they achieve such a feat against the Redskins? Well the answer to that is, absolutely. While Washington has shown flashes of brilliance this season, they’ve let leads slip away and made grave mistakes at the wrong time, so if the Giants can stay as patient as the Saints, and force a few blunders along the way, expect them to leave FedEx Field with a victory in hand.

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