The weather at most NFL games this week was cold and wet, which only means that the action on the field is heating up. Let’s take a look at the big news stories coming out of Week 12.
Here We Go Again
In a familiar late-season twist, Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is dealing with an injury that threatens to derail Philadelphia’s season. Wentz hurt his hand during the team’s 17-9 loss to the Seahawks Sunday. The good news is that X-rays taken at the stadium were negative, although further testing will be done on Monday.
Wentz hasn’t had his best season and is working with an offense that’s missing several other key players due to injury. Unlike past years, Nick Foles isn’t around to save the day, as Josh McCown is the current backup. The good news is that the 5-6 Eagles remain just a game back of the Cowboys in the NFC East.
Stand by Your Man
Speaking of Foles, Jacksonville head coach Doug Marrone says his job is not in danger. The Jaguars have lost their two games since Foles returned to replace Gardner Minshew, being outscored 101-36 in those two games.
However, Marrone says there’s been no consideration to going back to Minshew. If anything, the Jacksonville defense is the real culprit, as the Jags are 4-7 and two games out of a playoff spot.
Red Alert
It was bound to happen, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is unhappy with his team’s performance after a 13-9 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Jones admitted to being frustrated and implied with his comments that the Cowboys were out-coached by New England.
It’s a sign that Jones could be starting to sour on head coach Jason Garrett, who he has long defended despite a lack of consistency in Dallas. It could mean that Garrett’s job is finally in jeopardy if the Cowboys miss the playoffs.
QB Knows Drama
With the fallout from his altercation with Myles Garrett still hanging over his head, things took another bad turn for Mason Rudolph this week as he was benched in the second half of Pittsburgh’s game against the Bengals in favor of Devlin Hodges. Rudolph completed eight of his 16 passes for 85 yards and an interception. That was after throwing four picks in last week’s loss to the Browns.
Meanwhile, Hodges was 5 for 11, including a 79-yard touchdown pass to James Washington. He also led the Steelers to two field goals in an ugly 16-10 win over the winless Bengals. Mike Tomlin didn’t share his quarterback plans moving forward, but it’s not a stretch to say that Hodges gives the Steelers the best chance to win in their rematch with the Browns next week.
Old Man Does Good Things
The ageless Frank Gore ran into the history books during Buffalo’s win on Sunday, passing Barry Sanders and moving into third place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Sanders had 15,269 rushing yards, a mark Gore passed with his 43 yards on eight carries.
Moving up in the record books is a testament to Gore’s work ethic and longevity, as the 36-year-old is still a productive running back. However, he’s likely to remain at No. 3, as Gore is still 1,500 yards behind Walter Payton for second and about 3,000 yards away from catching Emmitt Smith.
