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NFL Week 12: Dallas Continues Dominance; Quarterbacks Shine
Much has been made of the quarterback controversy between rookie sensation Dak Prescott and much-maligned veteran Tony Romo. One side argues that Prescott is just a product of his environment, while the other side says that Romo’s time with the Cowboys is all but over. One thing cannot be denied though: the Cowboys, after an early loss to the Giants, apparently can’t be stopped.
Leading the way is a dominant, powerful offensive line that dictates games for the 10-1 ‘Boys, and they find ways to win even when the star rookie duo of Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliot aren’t at their best. And even against a surging divisional opponent, the Cowboys were up to the challenge, evident in their 31-26 victory over the rival Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving.
With Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins tearing the Dallas secondary apart to the tune of nearly 500 yards passing, Dallas’ bruising, clock-eating style of offensive play proved to be the great equalizer, converting third down after third down and hitting gut-wrenching big plays when they were most needed. If there was any question of Prescott’s ability to quarterback this team into the playoffs, just check out the clutch plays he made on Turkey Day:
.@dak's arm and legs were on full display on Thanksgiving. https://t.co/VIyAXCBfEB
— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2016
Speaking of quarterbacks, elsewhere in Week 12 action, number one overall pick Jared Goff had a much better game than his first, throwing three touchdowns in the first half alone in New Orleans. Unfortunately for the Rams, Saints living legend Drew Brees had other ideas, seemingly trying to purposefully show up his former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, who is with the Rams staff at the same position, on the way to a 49-21 victory. The Saints’ offensive barrage got so bad that even wide receivers got in on the fun, with Willie Snead throwing this touchdown to running back Tim Hightower:
https://twitter.com/HighlightHub/status/802979703728414720
Jameis Winston took advantage of a Seattle Seahawks defense missing its vocal leader in Earl Thomas by hitting them for two touchdowns and nearly 100 yards passing in the first quarter alone. In the end though, it was the Tampa Bay defense – which hasn’t been anything to call home about this season – that completely stymied the Seahawk offense on the way to a barely-there 14-5 victory. They even sealed the deal with a late interception of star quarterback Russell Wilson:
Russell Wilson looks DEEP down field…
He's PICKED by @BabyLead! #SiegetheDay #SEAvsTB https://t.co/UdGj0QbZk8
— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2016
Jets and Patriots rival games are always fun to watch (even though the Patriots’ run of success over the last decade is enough to put the Jets to shame), and this one was no different. The most shocking part though? Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, was outplayed for much of the game by perennial journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yes, you read that correctly. It didn’t matter though, because the Patriots seized control in the second half, with Brady making clutch plays and converting third downs on the way to his 200th career victory, 22-17, including this early touchdown that was truly something out of nothing:
Tom Brady drops the snap, but no problem as he throws the TD pass to Malcolm Mitchell #Patriots #NEvsNYJ
— Fantasy Sports Degens (@FantasyDegens) November 27, 2016
A slugfest between AFC West divisional rivals was on display on Sunday night, and it did not disappoint. What started out as a hard-hitting defensive battle between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half turned into a battle of the quarterbacks in the second half. Trevor Siemian, who had been manhandled early by the Chiefs’ front seven, made a number of clutch throws to grab the lead late. Then, Alex Smith came right back and tied the game with a touchdown strike with a second left in regulation. In overtime, the teams traded field goals to make it 27-all, and then Denver Head Coach Gary Kubiak made a most questionable decision: try a 62-yard field goal to win the game. Kicker Brandon McManus missed, and then the Chiefs marched down the field for the game winning kick, which wasn’t without its own suspense:
https://twitter.com/NickR83/status/803108676634603520
Check out the rest of Week 12’s final scores and Fantasy Stars in our full scoreboard below:
Detroit Lions (7-4) def. Minnesota Vikings (6-5) 16-13
Fantasy Star: Matthew Stafford – 23/40 for 232 yards and 1 TD; 4 carries, 30 yards
Dallas Cowboys (10-1) def. Washington Redskins (6-4-1) 31-26
Fantasy Star: Ezekiel Elliot – 20 rushes, 97 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 23 yards
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) def. Indianapolis Colts (5-6) 28-7
Fantasy Star: Ben Roethlisberger – 14/20 for 221 yards and 3 TDs
Atlanta Falcons (7-4) def. Arizona Cardinals (4-6-1) 38-19
Fantasy Star: Matt Ryan – 26/34 for 269 yards and 2 TDs; 1 INT; 4 carries, 15 yards
Baltimore Ravens (6-5) def. Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1) 19-14
Fantasy Star: Justin Tucker – 4/4 field goals, 13 total points
Buffalo Bills (6-5) def. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) 28-21
Fantasy Star: LeSean McCoy – 19 rushes, 103 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 31 yards
Tennessee Titans (6-6) def. Chicago Bears (2-9) 27-21
Fantasy Star: Marcus Mariota – 15/23 for 226 yards and 2 TDs; 4 carries, 46 yards
New York Giants (8-3) def. Cleveland Browns (0-12) 27-13
Fantasy Star: Eli Manning – 15/27 for 194 yards and 3 TDs
San Diego Chargers (5-6) def. Houston Texans (6-5) 21-13
Fantasy Star: Philip Rivers – 22/30 for 242 yards and 3 TDs; 1 INT
Miami Dolphins (7-4) def. San Francisco 49ers (1-10) 31-24
Fantasy Star: Ryan Tannehill – 20/30 for 285 yards and 3 TDs; 6 carries, 34 yards
New Orleans Saints (5-6) def. Los Angeles Rams (4-7) 49-21
Fantasy Star: Drew Brees – 28/36 for 310 yards and 4 TDs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) def. Seattle Seahawks (7-3-1) 14-5
Fantasy Star: Tampa Bay Defense – 2 fumbles, 2 INTs
New England Patriots (9-2) def. New York Jets (3-8) 22-17
Fantasy Star: Tom Brady – 30/50 for 286 yards and 2 TDs
Oakland Raiders (9-2) def. Carolina Panthers (4-7) 35-32
Fantasy Star: Derek Carr – 26/38 for 315 yards and 2 TDs; 1 INT
Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) def. Denver Broncos (7-4) 30-27
Fantasy Star: Tyreek Hill – 9 catches, 52 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 3 yards, 1 TD; 1 kickoff return TD
Green Bay Packers (5-6) def. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) 27-13
Fantasy Star: Aaron Rodgers – 30/39 for 313 yds; 6 carries for 26 yds
