The NFL Roundup 2021: Week 12 Preview

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Hello, again football fans and welcome to an early edition of the NFL Roundup and there’s good reason for talking about football, today. Because tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and much like everyone else, this writer will be digesting his weight in turkey and trimmings and will have little time to post. So, it’s best we talk about this week’s slate of games before the gobble coma settles in and boy, do we have some great stuff to talk about. Because this is it, we’re in the thick of the playoff race and there are epic storylines and games awaiting us. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into our pre-Thanksgiving football meal and feast upon all the delicious wonder that Week 12 in the NFL is going to send our way.
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Is this the last game that Matt Nagy coaches for the Bears?
Things are super weird in the Windy City right now. Since there are now reports coming out that Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy has been informed he will be fired after Thursday’s game (per Mark Konkol and Jeff Arnold from Patch.com) and earlier today Brad Briggs with the Chicago Tribune, reported some seriously bizarre things happening at Bears HQ (read the article, it’s wild). Which does lead one to wonder, is this it for Matt Nagy? Is he indeed being fired after Thursday’s game against the Lions? Well, I certainly hope so. Because Nagy just isn’t getting it done and Chicago has regressed under his leadership. So, hopefully after tomorrow there’s no more speculation and/or bizarre shenanigans and the Bears just cut him loose and move on.
 
Which Denver Broncos squad will show up on Sunday?
The Broncos are a team with a fractured identity. Because they don’t know if they want to be elite or a hot steaming pile of garbage on a cold winter’s day. Because that’s basically the two arenas they thrive within this season and well, that definitely has fans wondering… which iteration of the Broncos will show up on Sunday at Empower Field and the answer to that question is anyone’s guess. Because this team is just plain fickle through and through and hopefully the good Denver squad pops up, since they are just a joy to watch. But until this coaching staff and this team decides they actually want to commit to winning, this question will continue to pop up and it will be quite interesting to see which Broncos team takes the field come game time.
 
Will the Bills actually win their game against the Saints on Sunday?
A few weeks ago, this question wouldn’t have popped up in this article, because the Bills were playing at a high level. But now, they’re all over the place. They’re elite one week and the Bills of old the next and there is a real chance that New Orleans could embarrass them on Sunday and honestly, there’s a good chance they will. For the Bills seem shell shocked over the fact that teams don’t fear them and well… when you’re inconsistent… they won’t. So don’t be surprised to see the Bills drop another important one because their real problem this year, is that they command respect but have yet to earn it, and that’s a dangerous mindset to have in the modern NFL.

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Tennessee Titans (8-3) at New England Patriots (7-4)
Gillette Stadium – Foxboro, Massachusetts
Sunday, November 28, 2021 – 1: 00 p.m. EST – CBS

​The first game on our ‘Must Watch’ list this week, is filled to the brim with AFC playoff implications. For both of these teams lead their respective divisions and a win here would help their playoff seeding and well… they’re likely going to have to fight hard for the dub. For the Pats are one of the season’s biggest surprises, since they are finally jelling on offense and defense and are hungry to win and the Titans, are elite more often than not and dominate when they’re playing on all eight cylinders. But they do have a weakness in their run game and if by chance Coach Belichick and his staff have cued in on that… then there’s a fair chance the Patriots will win this game and honestly, I think they will. Just because the Titans aren’t properly compensating for their biggest weakness and Big Bill loves to exploit a team’s softest spot.

Los Angeles Rams (8-3) at Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sunday, November 28, 2021 – 4:25 p.m. EST – FOX

​Now this is a game worth watching, primarily because of the Rams. For there is a sense of desperation surrounding Los Angeles. Because their blockbuster trade for EDGE Von Miller and the acquisition of WR Odell Beckham Jr., has brought about some disappointing results. In fact, they’re 0-2 since making those moves and that’s a tad embarrassing. Which means this game means the world to them, and they need a win to show the football world they aren’t just attempting to collect top tier plays a la Pokémon and that they’re making smart moves and well… it will be interesting to see if this cobbled together ‘super squad’ can indeed beat the Packers or if this team will continue to invite speculation by way of another devastating loss.

Sunday Night Football
Cleveland Browns (6-5) at Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, Maryland
8:20 p.m. EST - NBC

​I’ve said it before and I’ll saying it again… there is nothing quite like a prime-time AFC North matchup and this one look as though, it is going to be a great one. Because it features a hungry and battered Cleveland Browns squad that are beyond eager to make the playoffs again. And they’re looking to win big over a Ravens team… that is downright difficult to beat and has their superstar QB returning from an ugly illness. Which means this is going to be a knockdown, drag it out fight for the playoffs, one that does not have a clear-cut winner. For this is also the 2021 season, where everything is upside down. But regardless of which way this goes, it will definitely be an entertaining and engaging game and that’s all you can ask for.