Week Twelve Review: Contenders Silence the Doubters
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Storylines aplenty emerged from this week’s action and we will cover three of those major headlines this week. It comes as no surprise to Steelers fans that the Ravens now sit atop the AFC North. The Patriots (10-2) reign supreme at the top of the AFC with the Broncos’ (9-2) buy week: becoming the first team this season to reach ten wins. The Chiefs beat the Colts in Over Time to silence the doubters.
Ravens Reclaim Top Spot of AFC North
This was a stop-start performance by the Baltimore Ravens, and they did just enough to overcome a stubborn Jets. The Jets started Tyrod Taylor and they looked fresh. Taylor was calm and composed and completed 17 of 28 attempts for 222 yards and one TD. It was his first game as named starting QB. He and the Jets were mistake free in the first half, but it was in the second that the Ravens awoke. The Ravens shook off a complacent first half performance: completing a mere 72 yards! They were electric, with three consecutive scoring drives to start the second half. Despite a tough day, Derrick Henry completed 64 yards: including both Ravens’ TDs in the third quarter.
The Ravens were imperious, although they were helped by Jets’ jitters. The first two (scoring) Ravens’ drives of Third Quarter, the Jets gave away penalties during third and long Ravens’ possessions that resulted in two Henry scores. Lamar Jackson looked as if he was playing within himself, as if resting for tougher tasks ahead. He completed 13 passes of 23 completions for 153 yards through the air.
Ravens (6-5) 23 Jets (2-9) 10
Patriots Survive Bengals Test
The Patriots should have had this wrapped up earlier, but all competitive teams have to win ugly. That said, they had 392 yards of offense in the first half alone: but only had one TD to show for it. Maye seemed to struggle against the defiant Bengals’ defense, and had 22 completions from 35 attempts: gathering 294 yards of offense. Al Golden would have been proud of his Bengals’ defensive display offense: but agitated when the offense failed to capitalise on the opportunities presented when TreyVeon Hernderson was nullified; and the Patriots’ run game remains it’s Achilles heel. The Pats defense played resolutely, holding Flacco to an abject completion rate of 3 from 13 Third Downs! The Patriots face the Giants next week with all expectations of an eleventh win!
Patriots (10-2) 26 Bengals (3-8) 20
Colts Rue Wasteful Offense: Live in the Chiefs … Still!
The Chiefs kept their slim play off hopes alive with a display of grit and determination here against the Colts. It is a remarkable result, given they were down 20-9 with nine minutes left. The Colts will feel this game is one that got away. They held the lead the entire game, until Chiefs tied just before the end of the fourth quarter. A key moment was a failure to gain a single yard when they had the ball with five minutes to go: and plenty of time to wear the clock down. Mahomes lead from the front! The Chiefs were in total control throughout, with 42 minutes of possession wore down the Colts’ D. The Colts offense have to do better: tiring their defense, with only 26 minutes of possession. The Chargers will feel the Chiefs breathing down their necks! Who wrote them off?
Chiefs (6-5) 23 Colts (8-3) 20
NFL fans will no doubt look forward to the next set of fixtures with great anticipation! And well we should: it is a joy to watch these incredible athletes showcase their skills on a weekly basis. And as the season thunders towards it’s conclusion: the drama will only get better!! Enjoy it, my friends!