Let’s take a look around the NFL at some news and notes heading into week 12 of the regular season.
Chiefs-Rams Set Records on Monday Night
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 54-51, in a game that set many NFL scoring records in the process. The week 11 thriller became the highest scoring game in Monday Night Football history with a combined 105 points. The Chiefs also became the first team in NFL history to score more than 50 points and lose a game. The 105 combined points in this game is the third highest total of any game in NFL history, and the most since the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Cleveland Browns, 58-48, in 2004. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 478 yards and six touchdowns in the loss, the most touchdown passes ever thrown in a Monday Night Football game. Los Angeles Rams linebacker Sam Ebukam scored two defensive touchdowns in the victory. With the win the Rams moved to 10-1 on the season, while the Kansas City Chiefs fell to 9-2.
Winston Named Starter Again
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making another change at quarterback before their week 12 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter is going back to the former number 1 pick, Jameis Winston, in this game. Winston will replace Ryan Fitzpatrick who threw three interceptions in a week 11 loss to the New York Giants. Winston came into the game against the Giants and went 12-16 for 199 yards and one interception in the loss. The Buccaneers have now lost seven of their last eight games, dropping their record to 3-7 on the season. Winston has played in five games this season, three starts, and has thrown 11 interceptions to just eight touchdowns this season.
Darnold Out of Boot, Status Uncertain
New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold did not practice on Monday with the team, but his walking boot was no longer on his injured foot. Darnold suffered the injury on November 4 in a game against the Miami Dolphins in what the team is calling a strained right foot. The New York Jets are set to host the New England Patriots on Sunday, and it is still uncertain if Darnold will be healthy enough to play. If Darnold is unable to be a full participant at practice on Wednesday, then veteran Josh McCown is likely to get the start. The New York Jets are just 3-7 on the season after getting blown out by the Buffalo Bills in week 11.
Cowboys Lose Starting Tight End
Dallas Cowboys tight end Geoff Swaim suffered a wrist injury in the week 11 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The injury will require surgery, and Swaim could be lost for the remainder of the regular season which ends on December 30. The injury occurred late in the Cowboys last season win and further tests diagnosed the injury as a break with some other damage that makes surgery necessary. Swaim has recorded 26 catches for 242 yards and a touchdown in nine games played this season. He became the starting tight end for the Cowboys after Jason Witten and James Hanna retired in the offseason. Swaim missed the November 5 game against the Tennessee Titans with a sprained knee, and the Cowboys went with rookie tight end Dalton Schultz as tight end.
Mariota Suffers Stinger In Loss
The Tennessee Titans suffered a difficult 38-10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and might be without their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered an elbow injury in the loss in what the team is calling a stinger. Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel told the media that a second opinion is likely needed to determine the severity of the injury, and the timetable for return. Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dan Pees could also spend some time away from the team this week. Pees suffered a “medical issue” during the loss to the Indianapolis Colts and was forced to stay overnight in a local hospital. The team was expecting Pees to return to Nashville on Monday, but the team will keep a close eye on the coordinator throughout the week before determining his coaching availability for Sunday.
