NFL Playoff Races Tighten

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NFL Playoff Races Tighten as Barkley Dominates Week 12 Action

Week 12 of the NFL season delivered close finishes, playoff shakeups, and standout performances as the league moves closer to its postseason. 

While top teams like Kansas City and Detroit continued to separate themselves, struggles for others—such as Chicago and San Francisco—highlight the volatility of this season.

These developments are sure to influence NFL Futures as bettors consider which teams and players can maintain their momentum.

Barkley Builds MVP Case

Saquon Barkley is making a strong argument to end the MVP drought for non-quarterbacks. In the Philadelphia Eagles’ 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, Barkley rushed for 255 yards—the ninth-most in NFL history—and added 302 all-purpose yards, including two touchdowns of over 70 yards each. 

The performance marked Barkley’s sixth game this season with over 150 all-purpose yards, and all six have ended in Eagles victories. Philadelphia now sits at 9-2, with Barkley central to their success.

Barkley’s 255-yard effort was also the most rushing yards in a game in Eagles history. As the MVP race heats up, Barkley’s primary competition comes from quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff, and Josh Allen, but his consistent dominance could make him a rare non-QB winner of the award.

Giants Hit Rock Bottom

The New York Giants’ 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers epitomized their disastrous 2-9 season. In their first game after parting ways with Daniel Jones, the offense managed just 169 passing yards and didn’t score until the fourth quarter. Rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito was unable to spark the offense, which has averaged only 12.3 points per game during a six-game losing streak.

With a 2-9 record tied for the league’s worst, the Giants could be in prime position to secure the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Playoff Contenders and Pretenders Emerge

In Houston, Ka’imi Fairbairn set an NFL record with his 12th field goal of 50 yards or more this season but missed a critical 28-yard attempt late in the Houston Texans’ 32-27 loss to the Titans. The Texans, now 7-5, remain atop the AFC South but have lost four of their last six games, keeping their rivals within striking distance.

The Indianapolis Colts failed to capitalize on the Texans’ loss, falling 24-6 to the Detroit Lions. Anthony Richardson struggled behind a banged-up offensive line, and Jonathan Taylor was held to just 35 yards on 11 carries. The Colts are now 5-7, effectively three games behind Houston due to a season sweep by the Texans.

In Charlotte, the Carolina Panthers nearly forced overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs, but Patrick Mahomes orchestrated a quick seven-play, 57-yard drive to set up a game-winning field goal. The 30-27 win made Kansas City and Detroit the first 10-win teams this season.

The Detroit Lions have now won nine straight games for the first time since 1934, highlighted by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery becoming the first running back duo in NFL history to record 10 rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons.

Frenetic Finishes Highlight Early Sunday Slate

The early games were defined by dramatic endings, with the Washington Commanders nearly pulling off a comeback against the Dallas Cowboys. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown with just 21 seconds left, cutting Dallas’ lead to one. However, Austin Seibert missed the extra point, and the Cowboys sealed their 34-26 victory with a Juanyeh Thomas onside kick return for a touchdown.

The Commanders, once 7-2, have now dropped three straight games and sit at 7-5, barely clinging to the final NFC playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Cowboys improved to 4-7, snapping a losing streak and dampening any notions of tanking for a better draft pick.

In another nail-biter, the Chicago Bears mounted a late rally against the Minnesota Vikings, scoring 11 points in the final 22 seconds to force overtime. Despite the effort, Chicago fell 31-28 after John Parker Romo’s game-winning field goal in the extra period. The Bears, who once seemed poised for a playoff push, have now lost five straight games and sit at 4-7.

San Francisco’s Decline

The San Francisco 49ers fell to 5-6 after a 38-10 loss to the Packers, marking their worst start since 2020. Injuries to key players like Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Brock Purdy have exposed San Francisco’s depth issues. The team now faces a daunting task against the red-hot Bills next week, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

Crowded Coach of the Year Race

The race for Coach of the Year features several compelling candidates. Dan Campbell has led the Lions to an NFL-best 10-1 record, while Kevin O’Connell has kept the Vikings in playoff contention with backup quarterback Sam Darnold. Sean Payton’s Broncos, now 7-5, are exceeding expectations, and Jim Harbaugh has quickly turned the Chargers into contenders at 7-3.

Mike Tomlin has guided the Steelers to an 8-3 record despite preseason uncertainty, while Nick Sirianni has the Eagles poised for another deep playoff run. Andy Reid, with 10 straight seasons of double-digit wins, is also in the mix, though his consistent success is often taken for granted.