The Athletic NFL Staff
December 12, 2021 at 9:12 PM ESTBrought to you by
Sunday’s early window featured a trio of crucial divisional matchups in Ravens-Browns, Raiders-Chiefs and Cowboys-Washington. In the late afternoon, the Bengals-49ers and Bills-Bucs games came down to the wire.
An ankle injury to Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and the subsequent Browns win over Baltimore is one of the day’s biggest stories so far. Elsewhere around the league, the Raiders poked the Chiefs, which the Chiefs enjoyed. Demaryius Thomas is on the hearts and minds of many across the league today. The Cowboys tighten their grip on the NFC East. Myles Garrett sets a Browns record.
This live blog from The Athletic follows the action from those games and more as the playoff race heats up. Three teams can clinch this week. Keep an eye out for our Sunday Night Football live blog, too, featuring all the happenings from Bears-Packers.
This holiday season, get 50% off gift subscriptions to the best newsroom in sports. Want a free subscription to The Athletic? Sign up for BetMGM, bet $10 and win $200 in free bets plus a free three-month subscription (or renewal).
Dec. 9
Minnesota 36, Pittsburgh 28
Dec. 12
Cleveland 24, Baltimore 22 | BOX SCORE
Tennessee 20, Jacksonville 0 | BOX SCORE
Kansas City 48, Las Vegas 9 | BOX SCORE
New Orleans 30, N.Y. Jets 9 | BOX SCORE
Dallas 27, Washington 20 | BOX SCORE
Atlanta 29, Carolina 21 | BOX SCORE
Seattle 33, Houston 13 | BOX SCORE
Denver 38, Detroit 10 | BOX SCORE
L.A. Chargers 37, N.Y. Giants 21 | BOX SCORE
San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 23 (OT) | BOX SCORE
Tampa Bay 33, Buffalo 27 (OT) | BOX SCORE
Chicago at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 13
L.A. Rams at Arizona, 8:15 p.m.
BYE: Colts, Dolphins, Patriots, Eagles
(Photo: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
December 12, 2021 at 9:12 PM EST
Playoff hunt not over for Washington
Everyone wondered how long the good times would roll.
The Washington Football Team papered over so many issues during its shocking four-game winning streak. Enough to make Sunday’s showdown against the archrival Dallas Cowboys matter beyond rivalry histrionics — although plenty of pregame drama existed including a win guarantee from coach Mike McCarthy and the visitors rolling in with heated benches with their team name and logo.
More importantly, Washington held an NFC wild-card spot with the NFC East-leading Cowboys in arm’s reach. Some wondered whether the surge could go take them higher in the NFC standings. No better way than defeat their hated foe.
“We wanted to shut them up, prove a point,” safety Landon Collins said.
About that.
Those prior concerns, particularly on offense, came rushing back at once during the 27-20 loss at FedExField. The announced attendance, a season-high 61,308, created a raucous atmosphere in Washington’s biggest home game in years. However, the stands were an equal split of Washington and Dallas fans.
The action on the field was far more one-sided than the final score, or the “tale of two halves” view that coach Ron Rivera suggested.
Read more below.
Ben Standig·
Staff Writer, Washington Football Team
GO FURTHER
Washington’s win streak crumbles vs. rival Cowboys, but playoff hopes not in danger … yet
December 12, 2021 at 8:48 PM EST
Buffalo in one-score games
The Bills are now 0-5 in games decided by 7 points or fewer. The only other team without a single win in a one-score game is Houston (0-2). Buffalo’s 0-5 record in one-score games through 13 weeks is the third-worst of any team in the last 10 years. Only the 2019 Bengals (0-6) and the 2012 Panthers (0-7) were worse.
Sheil Kapadia·
Senior Writer, NFL
December 12, 2021 at 8:32 PM EST
Jimmy G gets it done
The 49ers quarterback was a big reason for Sunday’s win.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Jimmy Garoppolo in OT…
-Middle pass to Kittle for 8
-Boundary pass to Jennings for 25
-Intermediate pass to Kittle for 21
-Middle pass to Hasty for 3
-Might pass (tight window) to Kittle for 9
-TD to Aiyuk, walkoffShanahan called 6 passes. Garoppolo delivered 6 completions
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 13, 2021
December 12, 2021 at 7:58 PM EST
Oh no, Buffalo
Not a good turn of events for the Bills.
The Athletic NFL Staff
In Week 5, the Bills were 4-1 with a 2-game lead over the Patriots (2-3) in the AFC East. Now in Week 14, the Patriots (9-4) have a 2-game lead over the Bills (7-6).
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 13, 2021
December 12, 2021 at 7:57 PM EST
Bucs win in OT
Tom Brady threw a 58-yard touchdown to Breshad Perriman and the Bucs, having surrendered a 21-point second-half lead, survive and escape with a 33-27 win over the Bills in overtime. The Bucs are 10-3 and can clinch a division title with a win next week against the Saints.
Greg Auman·
Staff Writer, Buccaneers
December 12, 2021 at 7:55 PM EST
Niners win in OT
The 49ers win it on an 11-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo to Brandon Aiyuk with 1:53 left in OT. 26-23.
The Athletic NFL Staff
December 12, 2021 at 7:40 PM EST
Bengals take lead in OT
The Bengals get a big 26-yard pass to Higgins to start OT, pushing him over 100 yards for the 3rd straight game. Then they pick up a blitz and Burrow hits Uzomah down to the 26, but the drive stalls and Evan McPherson’s 41-yard FG makes it 23-20. 49ers’ chance to match or win it.
Jay Morrison·
Staff Writer, Bengals
December 12, 2021 at 7:38 PM EST
Can Brady and the Bucs hang on?
Tom Brady’s history with big leads is being put to the test today.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Tom Brady has led by 20+ points in a game 129 times in his career, including playoffs, and led by 21 today against the Bills
Brady is 128-1 in those games, with the lone loss coming to… the Bills, in Week 3, 2011#BUFvsTB
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) December 13, 2021
December 12, 2021 at 7:35 PM EST
A special tribute in Denver
Broncos players weren’t shy about who they were playing for today. This one was for Demaryius Thomas.
The Athletic NFL Staff
December 12, 2021 at 7:29 PM EST
George Kittle in the clutch
What a grab by George Kittle, but alas, the game-winning field goal attempt was missed. On to OT…
The Athletic NFL Staff
December 12, 2021 at 7:24 PM EST
Two comebacks in the works
The Bengals climbed back from a 20-6 deficit and the Bills are back from a 24-3 deficit. Both games are late into the fourth quarter.
The Athletic NFL Staff
December 12, 2021 at 7:01 PM EST
‘Embarrassed by the performance we put on the field’
The loss wasn’t surprising. The Raiders came into Sunday’s game against the Chiefs as losers of four of their previous five games, played without a few key players and were on the road against a Kansas City team that — as part of what’s now a six-game winning streak — handed them a 27-point home loss a month ago. So losing was never going to shock anyone.
But this was different: The Raiders got eviscerated in a 48-9 defeat. In the Week 10 matchup, they at least trailed just 17-14 early in the third quarter. In this one, they found themselves down 35-3 at halftime. This would’ve been embarrassing no matter what, but it was made worse by the fact that the Raiders held a pregame huddle on the Chiefs’ logo in a blatant dig at their longtime rival.
Read more below.
Tashan Reed·
Staff Writer, Raiders
GO FURTHER
‘Embarrassed by the performance we put on the field’: 5 takeaways from the Raiders’ loss to the Chiefs
December 12, 2021 at 6:57 PM EST
NFL Week 14 takeaways
The Browns won a squeaker over the Ravens after an injury to Lamar Jackson, the Cowboys held on to beat a Washington Football Team down to its No. 3 quarterback, and the rest of Week 14’s early slate was made up of one-sided affairs among the teams that matter and close games featuring also-rans.
The Athletic’s Stephen Holder, Jeff Howe and Dan Pompei break down the action.
The Athletic NFL Staff
GO FURTHER
NFL Week 14 takeaways: Browns breathe sigh of relief; Bills, Bengals hurting
December 12, 2021 at 6:56 PM EST
Browns blow big lead but hold on for win
Initial thoughts, notes and reaction to the Browns’ 24-22 win over the Ravens on Sunday, a game that appeared over in the second quarter but instead got too close for comfort. Read more below:
Zac Jackson·
Staff Writer, Browns
GO FURTHER
First Thoughts: Browns blow big lead but hold on for vital win over rival Ravens
December 12, 2021 at 6:45 PM EST
Justin Herbert on another level
It’s safe to say Justin Herbert is working out well for the Chargers.
The Athletic NFL Staff
December 12, 2021 at 6:34 PM EST
Bills find the end zone
The Bills have their first touchdown of the game, cutting the Bucs’ lead to 24-10 with 7:29 left in the third quarter. Josh Allen rushed 18 yards for the score, capping an 81-yard touchdown drive.
Greg Auman·
Staff Writer, Buccaneers
Allen joins Cam Newton (8 seasons, 2011-18), Jack Kemp (4 seasons, 1963-66, also with Bills), Otto Graham (4 seasons, 1952-55) and Daunte Culpepper (4 seasons, 2000-03).
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) December 12, 2021
December 12, 2021 at 6:19 PM EST
Injury news
Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, one of the league’s sack leaders, has been ruled out with a back injury. The Bengals come out of the locker room and run it three straight times, including a Samaje Perine rush on third and three, and have to punt. Boos, rightfully, ensue
Jay Morrison·
Staff Writer, Bengals
December 12, 2021 at 6:04 PM EST
Urban Meyer says reports he called Jaguars coaches ‘losers’ are ‘inaccurate’
Jaguars coach Urban Meyer has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons this season and some believe he won’t last much longer in Jacksonville.
He addressed the media after today’s loss to the Titans.
On calling coaches losers: “Calling someone a loser is inaccurate. I have high expectations for our coaches. I’m very demanding of our coaches and expect guys to be held accountable for their positions. When they’re not we address it but I assure you (the report) is nonsense.”
On Marvin Jones: “He said people are blaming the receivers for all the issues with the offense, and I looked at it and I said something like we have some injury issues and lack of consistency when we talked about that he’s great, we moved on. One thing about Marvin and there’s a lot of players professional veterans, a lot of pride. Some guys aren’t used to this, but he’s fantastic. We have a fantastic relationship.”
On losing the locker room: “I always am worried about losing the locker room when we’re 2 and whatever we are.”
On Shad Khan: “I talk to Shad all the time. He’s been fantastic since we got here. I talked to him last night, I talked to him today, our focus is to finish the season strong and make whatever adjustments we have to make to get this thing cooking.”
Do you still have confidence that you can win at this level in the NFL? “Yeah I do. It hasn’t exactly materialized the way I expected it to, I knew that this was somewhat of a build I also really believe that we have good enough players to go win games, I still believe that. That’s why I get so disappointed sometimes with my coaching staff and myself. Really disappointed.”
(Photo: Steve Roberts / USA Today)
The Athletic NFL Staff
December 12, 2021 at 5:46 PM EST
Another record for Brady?
Tom Brady now has the most career completions in NFL history. This will be far from Tom Brady’s most exciting accomplishments, but it’s another crown for the GOAT anyway.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Tom Brady now has the most completions in NFL history, and his career has been so extraordinary that this particular record is kinda just boring.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 12, 2021
December 12, 2021 at 5:34 PM EST
Throw of the year?
Check out this beauty from Justin Herbert.
The Athletic NFL Staff
Justin Herbert & Jalen Guyton (59-yd TD)
Herbert’s pass traveled 63.8 yards in the air, the 2nd-longest completion in the NFL this season. This was Herbert’s 10th career completion that traveled 55+ yards in the air, most in the NFL since 2020.#NYGvsLAC | Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/qhzhW9LVn1
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 12, 2021
