The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs show why they’re champions as Saquon Barkley chases down historical past – Sky Sports activities NFL’s Neil Reynolds has his closing say on Week 12 of the season…

Folks typically joke that the NFL is scripted and all managed by the league workplace… I feel they’re joking? You possibly can not make these items up. Should you took half the stuff that goes on within the NFL to a Hollywood scriptwriter, you’ll be laughed out of the workplace in seconds.

Week 12 was simply one other instance of that…

Chiefs show why they’re champs

One of many shut and wild wins noticed the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs file a 30-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers in a recreation that was not alleged to be this shut. The Panthers tied it up with 1.46 remaining on a Chuba Hubbard landing run and two-point conversion, however he left sufficient time for the magician that’s Patrick Mahomes, who moved the Chiefs into discipline aim vary with a really intelligent 33-yard scramble.

It appeared like he may step out of bounds however he knew he had timeouts in his pockets and so reduce in after 10 yards, picked up one other 23 and so they have been in discipline aim vary. A number of seconds later, Spencer Shrader kicked the 31-yarder to elevate the Chiefs to an AFC-best 10-1 on the season. That’s the eighth time this yr they’ve gained by one rating. They discover methods, Mahomes at all times delivers in these large moments and by no means appears to soften down, that’s the reason they’re back-to-back Tremendous Bowl champions.

Washington heartbreak

Cowboys, Commanders, chaos. That is what we had in Washington as Dallas snapped a five-game shedding streak with a recreation that had so many large performs down the stretch. Within the closing three minutes and two seconds, there have been 4 touchdowns, a discipline aim, a two-point conversion and an important missed additional level from Austin Seibert, which was heartbreaking for Washington.

They rally late, they’re down 27-17 with 2.49 remaining, Jayden Daniels will get them a discipline aim after which throws a surprising 86-yard landing cross to Terry McLaurin, just for Seibert to overlook his second additional level of the sport. Absolute heartbreak for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have now fallen to a 3rd straight loss. Typically you can not make up how an NFL Sunday will unfold.

Extra time drama in Chicago

You need extra wild finishes? How in regards to the one at Soldier Discipline then, the place the Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears 30-27 in time beyond regulation on a 29-yard discipline aim from John Parker Romo. Minnesota led 27-16 with lower than 30 seconds remaining, however Chicago scored a landing, transformed the two-pointer, recovered an onside kick and landed a Cairo Santos discipline aim from 48 yards as time ran out. Chicago even had the ball first in time beyond regulation with an opportunity to win it, however could not get it performed. Sam Darnold throws for 90 yards on the game-winning drive and it is the Vikings who transfer on with one other win. It is a win you’ll be able to’t clarify, it simply occurred.

The Lions are legit!

The Detroit Lions rolled onto a ninth straight victory on Sunday, changing into the primary to succeed in 10 wins this season, rapidly adopted by the Chiefs. What was so spectacular about this one is it wasn’t an excessive amount of of Jared Goff, he threw 4 landing passes and had an ideal quarterback ranking the week earlier than however did not throw a single landing cross in opposition to Indianapolis. All three touchdowns got here on the bottom by way of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and that is simply additional proof of a very good group that finds alternative ways to dominate and win every week. These Lions are for actual.

Bother in San Francisco

The Inexperienced Bay Packers completely put it on the San Francisco 49ers, profitable 38-10 at Lambeau Discipline. This was alleged to be a crossroads recreation for the 49ers and a take a look at of the Packers, but it surely was by no means a contest. The accidents which have hit the 49ers have damage them badly, but it surely feels just like the one among Brock Purdy their quarterback was the straw that broke the camel’s again with Brandon Allen lower than the job.

The 49ers couldn’t deal with Josh Jacobs, who time and time once more pressured his means downfield and compelled missed tackles in opposition to a protection that lacked the depth it usually prides itself on. This was an enormous win for the Packers, but in addition a damning indictment of the place the 49ers are.

Participant of the Week – Saquon Barkley

Not since Adrian Peterson gained the award in 2012 because the NFL’s MVP been gained by anyone aside from a quarterback, however Saquon Barkley might change that. He was sensible within the 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, carrying 26 instances for 255 yards and scoring on runs of 70 and 72 yards. He added 47 yards by way of the air so had 302 scrimmage yards because the Eagles powered to a seventh win in a row.

Barkley has been the right addition to this group and is on tempo for two,151 dashing yards, which might break a file that has stood the take a look at of time – Eric Dickerson’s mark of two,105, set with the Rams in 1984. Barkley might get rested down the stretch, however that file is firmly in his sights if he does not.

Play of the Week – Jameis Winston’s landing run

I will the snow globe recreation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Winston crammed our hearts with pleasure by placing it on the road, diving backwards into the top zone and seeing the communication system in his helmet break the place he hit the bottom so onerous. It is flailing round in entrance of his eyes as he throws the two-point conversion to David Njoku, but it surely sort of summed up Jameis within the snow. He performed with a youthful exuberance and pleasure all evening lengthy in what was a completely pleasant recreation and an enormous win for the Browns in opposition to the playoff-chasing Steelers.

Coach of the Week – Matt LaFleur, Inexperienced Bay Packers

Matt LaFleur had an amazing recreation plan in opposition to a group down on its knees. He managed the clock, took away each side of the ball, dominating each side of the ball on the bottom. He had Josh Jacobs getting the job performed within the operating recreation, sporting down that 49ers protection and consuming up time of possession, which restricted San Francisco’s alternatives. Then they shut down Christian McCaffrey, which makes it a Brandon Allen recreation – which wasn’t a recreation in any respect. He outcoached Kyle Shanahan on Sunday.

On my radar…

On my radar is that race for the ultimate playoff spot within the AFC. I feel it’ll go proper right down to the wire and be fiercely contested. It belongs to Denver proper now and they’re forward of schedule beneath Sean Payton with Bo Nix at quarterback, doing far more than any of us might have anticipated this season. Miami nonetheless need to play the Jets, Browns and the struggling 49ers, however have a giant recreation at Lambeau Discipline on Thanksgiving evening. And do not rule out the Colts, who will finish their season with video games in opposition to Jacksonville, Tennessee and the New York Giants, in addition to taking part in Denver in mid-December. There will probably be a number of extra twists and turns between now and the top of Week 18.

Tune into Sky Sports activities NFL from 5pm on Thanksgiving Thursday forward of the Detroit Lions in opposition to the Chicago Bears at 5.30pm, adopted by the Dallas Cowboys in opposition to the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins’ matchup with the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Stream with NOW.