The NFL Roundup 2018: Week 12

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

It’s incredible to know, that we are starting to close in on the end of the 2018 NFL Season. After all, there are only a handful of weeks left in the regular season and the playoff brackets are starting to take shape and if the effort we saw last week in the league is any indicator, teams are going to fight tooth and nail for their shot at the postseason. So, without further ado, let’s get right down to it and take a look at this weekend’s epic slate of games and the top stories hovering over Week 12 in the NFL.
 
Can the Washington Redskins keep their playoff hopes alive without QB Alex Smith?
Injuries are sadly, a way of life in the NFL, and while ‘next man up’ is a pretty standard mantra for the league when they happen, some stars are simply indispensable when it comes to their team, which is why I’m worried about the Redskins without Alex Smith in the lineup. For Smith is a quality quarterback, one that knows how to manage a game and execute on plays, something that I’m not sure Colt McCoy can do. But it is possible that this team can keep their playoff hopes alive, provided they alter their game plan to feature more of Adrian Peterson. Because this ageless wonder is having one hell of a season, and a run first mentality should help McCoy act more as a game manager than a hero and if they can score points with that formula, and keep playing solid defense, they may still be able to pull off a playoff run.
 
Can the Denver Broncos play the spoiler again?
It’s always a big deal when a lesser team beats a better team since that loss exposes every single weakness of the team that was supposed to win the game and Denver definitely exposed some glaring holes when it comes to the Chargers last week with their victory over them in Los Angeles and well, that kind of a victory definitely boots morale on a losing team and gives them something to play for and one has to wonder if Denver could potentially provide the football world with another upset this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers and honestly, it’s quite possible. Because if Denver’s defense plays lights out like they did in L.A. this past week, and if Case Keenum looks like he did in those final two minutes, then this team can shock the Steelers too and build upon their current momentum. But if the Steelers can sack and rattle Keenum and exploit Denver’s proclivity to run a soft defense, then it’s back to the drawing board for Denver once again.
 
Expect the Patriots to take out their frustrations on the New York Jets.
Speaking of possible upsets, this would normally be a good time to question as to whether or not the Jets could stun the Patriots come Sunday since the Pats are vulnerable right now. But this time around, I think it is best we temper our expectations when it comes to New York because…they’re not a good football team. Sam Darnold is looking like a rookie at last, and may not even play this Sunday and the defense is porous and there’s zero leadership on the field and…New England is angry. They don’t like losing or being questioned when it comes to their talent, so expect them to just unleash their fury upon the Jets this Sunday and score a lot of points in the process. 

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Chicago Bears (7-3) at Detroit Lions (4-6)
Ford Field – Detroit, MI
Thanksgiving Day - 12:30 p.m. EST – FOX 

This was a game that initially interested me because of the fact that the Lions have played the spoiler against good teams several times this year. But things just became all the more fascinating following the news that Bears QB Mitch Trubisky will sit tomorrow’s Turkey Day game out with a shoulder injury and Chase Daniel will start in his place. Because without a solid QB to lead the Bears, this is now anyone’s game to win and if Detroit’s offense can settle into a rhythm against Chicago’s D and score some points and their defense can harass and rattle Chase Daniel, then they’ve got a good shot at upsetting the Bears. But, if Khalil Mack and the defense dominate, expect Chicago to enjoy another important win in the North.      

Atlanta Falcons (4-6) at New Orleans Saints (9-1)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
Thursday Night Football – 8:20 p.m. EST - NBC

Okay, I’ll be perfectly honest here, there’s one thing that fascinates me when it comes to this game, and it is the Saints. They’re simply mesmerizing to watch on both offense and defense right now and I’m quite curious as to how they’re going to look against the Falcons this weekend. Because hopefully, since the Falcons are falling behind in the playoff race, they’re going to try and bring their A game, to ensure they don’t get blown out in this one. But I fully expect New Orleans to win this one and win it big and it will simply be a blast to see if they can dominate yet another opponent as they continue to push to lock up the number one seed in the NFC.

Tennessee Titans (5-5) at Houston Texans (7-3)
NRG Stadium – Houston, TX
Monday Night Football – 8:15 p.m. EST – ESPN 

​Normally, you don’t think much about a 5-5 team taking on a 7-3 juggernaut, but this game has the makings of something special. After all, Houston looks good this year on both sides of the ball and that alone is fun to watch. But the Titans are a team full of grit and desire and they play with a nothing to lose attitude and that makes them dangerous when all is said and done. Because if they surprise the Texans with some strong play in this one, they could easily steal the game away. But in all honestly, I do think Houston will win this one in the end, but I get the funny feeling the Titans won’t make it an easy task and that is going to make this game extremely fun to watch.