Week 12 of the NFL delivered an unforgettable Sunday of football, with record-breaking performances, thrilling endings, and underdog surprises. Here’s a deep dive into the standout moments and key storylines.
Saquon Barkley’s Historic Game
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley etched his name into the NFL history books with a sensational performance against the Los Angeles Rams.
Barkley’s Record-Breaking Stats
- Rushing Yards: 255 yards on 26 carries, a franchise record for the Eagles.
- Total Yards: Over 300, making him only the 13th player in NFL history to achieve this feat.
- Unique Milestone: Barkley became the first player in NFL history to record two 70+ yard rushing touchdowns in the second half of a single game.
Barkley’s explosive runs, including a 70-yard and a 72-yard touchdown, propelled the Eagles to a dominant 37-20 victory over the Rams.
Praise from Teammates and Opponents
- Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hailed him as the “best in the league.”
- Rams rookie linebacker Jared Verse admitted he’d “never seen a running back like that.”
Despite the accolades, Barkley remained grounded, emphasizing his focus on consistency and improving each week.
Dramatic Finish in Washington
The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders delivered one of the wildest finishes of the season.
Key Moments
- KaVontae Turpin’s Electrifying Return
- With just minutes left, Turpin fumbled the kickoff but recovered to produce a stunning 99-yard touchdown return.
- His heroics gave Dallas a crucial lead in a back-and-forth game.
- Commanders’ Last-Gasp Effort
- Rookie QB Jayden Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown in the dying seconds.
- However, the missed extra point left Washington agonizingly short in a 34-26 defeat.
This game saw an astounding 31 points scored in the final 3 minutes, epitomizing the unpredictable nature of the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs Edge Carolina Panthers
The Chiefs returned to winning ways with a last-second 30-27 victory over the Panthers.
Patrick Mahomes Shines
- Stats: 27-of-37 for 269 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions.
- Clutch Drive: Mahomes orchestrated a game-winning drive, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Spencer Shrader as time expired.
Historic Milestones
- Travis Kelce surpassed Antonio Gates for the third-most regular-season receiving yards by a tight end.
- Mahomes tied Russell Wilson for the most career games (24) with at least three touchdown passes and no interceptions in a player’s first eight seasons.
Full Week 12 Sunday Scores
Here’s a quick look at Sunday’s final scores:
- Kansas City Chiefs 30-27 Carolina Panthers
- Minnesota Vikings 30-27 (OT) Chicago Bears
- Tennessee Titans 32-27 Houston Texans
- Detroit Lions 24-6 Indianapolis Colts
- New England Patriots 15-34 Miami Dolphins
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-7 New York Giants
- Dallas Cowboys 34-26 Washington Commanders
- Denver Broncos 29-19 Las Vegas Raiders
- San Francisco 49ers 10-38 Green Bay Packers
- Arizona Cardinals 6-16 Seattle Seahawks
- Philadelphia Eagles 37-20 Los Angeles Rams
Key Takeaways
- Barkley’s Brilliance: His record-breaking performance cements his status as one of the best running backs in the NFL.
- Late-Game Drama: From Washington’s heartbreak to the Chiefs’ narrow escape, Sunday’s games kept fans on the edge of their seats.
- Playoff Picture: Teams like the Eagles and Chiefs solidified their positions, while the Commanders and Rams face uphill battles.
NFL Week 12 showcased the league’s unpredictability, star power, and thrilling finishes, leaving fans eagerly awaiting more action.
