With the AFC West cooking, one team is on the outside looking in.
In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, the Broncos have been an AFC West afterthought. From the ever-rotating quarterback carousel to the revolving door of head coaches, it took a lot longer to find the magic leadership combination that is Sean Payton and Bo Nix.
For the first time in a long time, it’s looking probable that two of wild card berths this season will come from the AFC West. With one of the brothers Harbaugh, Andy Reid, and Sean Payton, you’d be hard-pressed to find a division with more talent or expectation in the NFL. At quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix appear poised to dominate the west for the next 15-years.
Then there’s the Raiders.
The delinquent brother in the AFC West is continuing to sit on the porch smoking cigarettes mumbling to themselves about how great the early 1980’s were. What’s worse than Gardner Minshew as your starting quarterback? Having him go down to a broken clavicle. Raiders coach Antonio Brown is sliding into week 13 on a 7-game losing streak. Do you fire him? Do you keep him? Does it matter?
It would appear that Denver has shaken off the stink of the last decade. The Chiefs continue to excel. The Chargers have found a coach and are developing an identity. Things in the AFC West are getting interesting. Meanwhile, the Raiders continue to sit in the corner picking their nose in full ghoul makeup. This is one of many reasons the NFL is amazing.
The Raiders will be back… just not this decade.
HEADLINES
Bo Nix sets Broncos rookie TD record as Denver beats reeling Raiders 29-19
Bo Nix passed for 273 yards and had two touchdown passes to break the team’s rookie record, and the Denver Broncos finally won in Las Vegas with a 29-19 victory over the reeling Raiders on Sunday.
Bo Nix leads Broncos to season sweep of Raiders | Reuters
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed 25 of 42 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns as the Denver Broncos beat the host Raiders 29-19 on Sunday in Las Vegas.
Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton touchdowns lift Broncos past Raiders | 9news.com
The Denver Broncos defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 29-19 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, November 24, 2024 for their fourth win in six games.
Broncos’ defense holds off Raiders, Nix throws for two touchdowns in Week 12 win | Analysis
Following the Denver Broncos’ 29-19 win vs. the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, lead writer Aric DiLalla gives his takeaways on the defensive performance and more as the Broncos earn their first season series sweep of the Raiders since 2014.
‘We never lost the faith on the sideline’: Broncos show grit, mental toughness in comeback win over rival Raiders
“I said to [the team] today, ‘Our team a year ago doesn’t win this game. But this team did,’” Head Coach Sean Payton said after the 29-19 victory.
‘They got us to the finish line’: Broncos’ defense forces two turnovers, delivers impressive performance to help fuel 29-19 victory over Raiders
In Sunday’s win, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto became the first Broncos player since 2018 to record a double-digit sack season.
Raiders QB Gardner Minshew out for season after suffering broken collarbone in loss to Broncos
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew broke his collarbone in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos and will miss the remainder of the season, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported
Brandon Allen downplays broken finger on left hand – NBC Sports
Because Brandon Allen is who he is — the backup quarterback — no one noticed he had a broken finger on his non-throwing hand until he started Sunday’s game against the Packers.
Saquon Barkley runs for Eagles-record 255 yards in win vs. Rams – ESPN
Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley had a career night against the Rams, posting 302 scrimmage yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns, both of which went for 70-plus yards. Afterward, the Eagles fans in L.A. showered him with chants of “MVP!”
Fred Warner: Sunday’s loss was embarrassing – NBC Sports
The 49ers were shorthanded in Green Bay on Sunday as injuries left the team without quarterback Brock Purdy, left tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa and others, but linebacker Fred Warner didn’t use that as an excuse for how the team played.
Jared Verse on Saquon Barkley: I’ve never seen a running back like that – NBC Sports
Rams rookie edge rusher Jared Verse hasn’t been in the NFL for very long, but he’s been there long enough to know when he’s seeing something special on the field.
Sean McVay: Rams’ loss was humbling, it’s all about how you respond – NBC Sports
Rams coach Sean McVay said after Sunday night’s 37-20 loss to the Eagles that all his team can do is bounce back.
NFL players, units that need to wake up fast as regular season’s final stretch looms
As the NFL nears the final regular season stretch, Judy Battista identifies players and units that need to wake up fast, including a slumping Commanders offense and one roster that can’t seem to stay healthy.
2024 NFL Season, Week 12: Four things to watch for in Ravens-Chargers on Monday night on ESPN, NFL+
NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack breaks down four things to watch for when the Los Angeles Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.
Giants WR Malik Nabers frustrated with ‘soft’ effort in loss to Buccaneers
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers expressed his frustrations following a defeating blowout which extended New York’s losing streak to six games, calling his team’s effort “soft.”
Eagles DE Brandon Graham says he’s out for season after tearing triceps, but has he played his final NFL snap? – CBSSports.com
Graham has said in the past this would be his final NFL season
2024 NFL Week 12 winners and losers: Baker Mayfield, Bryce Young show out for NFC South; 49ers lose ugly – CBSSports.com
A roundup of the best and worst performances of Sunday’s slate
Jets’ Aaron Rodgers played through multiple injuries this season, resisted getting scans, per report – CBSSports.com
Rodgers’ injuries could be worse than even he knows
Former Giants QB Daniel Jones could sign with a practice squad to maximize starting opportunities, per report – CBSSports.com
Jones will be subject to waivers first
2024 NFL playoff picture, standings: Seahawks take over wild NFC West, Commanders falling fast – CBSSports.com
A look at the playoff standings after most of the Week 12 games
Cowboys are fourth team ever to have two players return kickoffs for TDs in one game – NBC Sports
With 2:49 remaining in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.
Giants players call team ‘soft,’ question effort after loss – ESPN
Several Giants players said the team played “soft” in a 30-7 blowout loss at home to the Buccaneers.
Mahomes seeks ‘calmer’ endings after another Chiefs walk-off – ESPN
Patrick Mahomes said he “would love to win a game [before] the very last play” after the Chiefs beat the Panthers on a field goal as time expired Sunday.
Source: Raiders lose QB Gardner Minshew to broken collarbone – ESPN
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending broken collarbone Sunday against the Broncos, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, confirming an NFL Network report.
49ers ’embarrassed’ in 28-point loss, their worst against Packers – ESPN
The 49ers lost to the Packers by 28 points on Sunday, the franchise’s largest margin of defeat in 74 meetings with Green Bay. Said linebacker Fred Warner: “This is probably one of the worst ones I’ve been a part of.”
Eagles DE Brandon Graham, CB Darius Slay injured in win – ESPN
Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham will miss the rest of the season after tearing his left triceps Sunday night in Los Angeles. Philadelphia also saw cornerback Darius Slay exit early with a concussion.
Seahawks cap wild week with win, share of first in NFC West – ESPN
The Seahawks overcame a power outage this week at their team headquarters then overwhelmed Kyler Murray and the Cardinals on Sunday for a share of first place in the NFC West.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos accepts blame for ‘stink’ with blocks – ESPN
Like the Packers last week, the Vikings said they saw an opportunity to block Bears kicker Cairo Santos, who said he took the blame for “the stink” on the field goal unit.
2024 NFL season, Week 12: What We Learned from Sunday’s games
Around The NFL breaks down what you need to know from all of Sunday’s action in Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season.