Week 12 is in the books and there were great performances by Jimmy Garoppolo and Derrick Henry among others in the NFL. Oh, and there was the virtuoso effort by Lamar Jackson on MNF.
Atlanta Falcons: Younghoe Koo
A sweet story is how well Younghoe Koo has done for the Falcons since being signed to replace Matt Bryant. Koo added another three field goals and a PAT in the loss to the Bucs.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
The front-runner for MVP put on a show at the LA Coliseum as the Ravens ravaged the Rams. Lamar Jackson accounted for 264 yards of total offense and threw five TD passes in a magnificent Monday Night Football performance.
Buffalo Bills: Frank Gore
He did not have the biggest game but he did move past Barry Sanders into third place on the all-time rushing list. Frank Gore is behind only Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith. That’s elite company.
Carolina Panthers: DJ Moore
In what had to be a bitter defeat at New Orleans, DJ Moore had a great day catching passes from Kyle Allen. Moore caught 6-of-9 targets for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the heartbreaking loss.
Chicago Bears: Allen Robinson II
Allen Robinson II accomplished what seemed impossible, having an 100-yard game with Mitchell Trubisky as his QB. Robinson was targeted 10 times and caught six passes, gaining 131 yards and scoring a TD.
Cincinnati Bengals: Kevin Huber
The Bengals could well be on their way to 0-16. They lost to a Steelers team down its top running back, wide receiver and that had to resort to a third-string quarterback with Ben Roethlisberger out for the season and Mason Rudolph ineffective. Punter Kevin Huber did have a solid day, being called on nine times, averaging 46.4 yards and pinning Pittsburgh inside its 20 four times.
Cleveland Browns: Jarvis Landry
Quite the revenge game for Cleveland WR Jarvis Landry, who was on the receiving end of 10 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns as the Browns battered Miami.
Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith
Not much to brag about for Dallas in its dreary loss at New England. Give some props to Jaylon Smith, who made eight tackles, six solo.
Denver Broncos: Alexander Johnson
Alexander Johnson was a defensive force for the Broncos in the loss to the Bills. The linebacker from Tennessee in his second season had 15 tackles, 10 of them solo.
Detroit Lions: Bo Scarbrough
Not much is going well for Matt Patricia in his second season as Detroit coach. One bright spot in the humbling loss to a weak Washington team was former Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough, who rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries.
Green Bay Packers: None
Just an all-around catastrophe. Can’t look to the punter, either, because none of JK Scott’s kicks went inside the 20 and he only averaged 37.2 yard per punt. Ooof.
Houston Texans: Will Fuller V
Thursday night was all right for Texans WR Will Fuller, who caught seven passes for 140 yards and 140 yards as his QB Deshaun Watson also had a big night against Indy.
Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams rushed for better than 100 yards in the loss to Houston, his second consecutive game over the century mark.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette
The Jags had a bad day at Tennessee. At least, RB Leonard Fournette delivered for his fantasy owners with 97 yards and a pair of TDs on 24 carries. This team can’t get both sides of the ball right on many of the same game days.
Los Angeles Rams: None
The team that was so strong and successful over the past two seasons is a shell of itself and was shelled by Lamar Jackson in front of a national television audience. Johnny Hekker averaged 50 or so yards per punt and that didn’t do anything to prevent the Ravens from driving up and down the field.
Miami Dolphins: Ryan Fitzpatrick
It wasn’t a great day for the Dolphins’ QB from Harvard, but let’s give him a nod as he did throw for a pair of TDs and rushed for another and gained 45 yards on the ground on his 37th birthday.
New England Patriots: Special teams
The offense may not be what it has been in years past. The defense is elite and the special teams find another way for New England to win. Matthew Slater, a special-teams wizard, led the way with a blocked punt. Bill Belichick and his staff simply play a different game than others.
New Orleans Saints: Will Lutz
After Joey Slye missed a chip-shot field goal that would have given the Panthers a late lead, Will Lutz delivered for the Saints, hitting a 33-yard field goal as time expire to give New Orleans the victory. Would be easy to go with Drew Brees or Michael Thomas, but Lutz is the guy who made the big kick after his counterpart flubbed his chance.
New York Jets: Sam Darnold
The New York Jets are on a three-game winning streak and they have Cincinnati and Miami next on their schedule. A big part of the reason for the success has been the return of Sam Darnold, who had battled a case of mono. Darnold was huge against Oakland, throwing for 315 yards and a pair of TDs.
New York Giants: Corey Ballentine
Rookie DB Corey Ballantine made nine tackles, eight solo, in the loss to the Bears. Ballantine was the player who was wounded in a shooting while he was attending an off-campus party the night he was drafted. Ballentine’s college roommate and defensive backfield teammate Dwane Simmons was killed in the shooting.
Oakland Raiders: None
There is nothing good when you lose to the New York Jets by 31.
Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz was targeted 14 times by Carson Wentz and came down with 14 of the passes. The sturdy tight end wound up with 91 yards receiving and Philly’s lone TD.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Devlin Hodges
Talk about an uneviable spot. You have to replace a quarterback who has been the center of a controversy against a team that is winless. Give credit to Devlin Hodges, who stepped in for Pittsburgh against Cincinnati and led the Steelers to victory. This is a case of pure leadership and one where the numbers don’t come close to the story.
San Francisco 49ers: Jimmy Garoppolo
Plenty of attaboys to go around with the Niners crushing the Packers. Jimmy Garoppolo had a huge game against Green Bay and in the process looked way better than Aaron Rodgers. If the SF offense finds a great groove, this team will make a deep playoff run.
Seattle Seahawks: Rashaad Penny
Rashaad Penny came up with the best game of his young career, rushing for 129 yards and a TD on 14 carries as Seattle slayed the Eagles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vita Vae
This could easily be Chris Godwin, who had an enormous game with seven catches for 184 yards and a pair of TDs. Instead, let’s give the big guy a nod as Vita Vae checked in as an eligible receiver and caught an one-yard touchdown pass as Tampa Bay brought Atlanta to earth.
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry
All the former Heisman winner from Alabama and Titans’ does is devour the Jaguars when the teams meet in Tennessee. Last year, was 17 carries for 238 yards and 4 TDs. Sunday, he went for 159 yards and another 2 scores.
Washington Redskins: Special teams
Steven Sims had a 91-yard kickoff TD that was Washington’s first since 2015, and Dustin Hopkins made field goals of 28, 37 and 42 yards before kicking a 39-yarder for the go-ahead score.
