Ready for some heated debates and educated guesses about the world of NFL football? Prepare to be captivated by our recap of Week 12, starting with the Thanksgiving games. We're dissecting the Packers' victory over the Lions, wondering if the Lions' streak is fading. We're also marveling at the Cowboys' formidable performance against the Commanders, with Dak Prescott stealing the spotlight. Peering into the crystal ball, we ponder over the Cowboys' forthcoming challenging games and how they'll tackle them.
Step into the NFL controversy zone as we scrutinize some eyebrow-raising referee calls in the Bills-Eagles game. We're also spotlighting the exceptional performances of Trevor Lawrence and CJ Stroud. But that's not all - we're predicting the turns of Week 13 and discussing potential Super Bowl titan clashes. And guess what? Skyler, our host's son, is stepping up to the plate with his own game predictions. Buckle up and join the thrill ride as we plunge into the vortex of NFL football.
Ready for some heated debates and educated guesses about the world of NFL football? Prepare to be captivated by our recap of Week 12, starting with the Thanksgiving games. We're dissecting the Packers' victory over the Lions, wondering if the Lions' streak is fading. We're also marveling at the Cowboys' formidable performance against the Commanders, with Dak Prescott stealing the spotlight. Peering into the crystal ball, we ponder over the Cowboys' forthcoming challenging games and how they'll tackle them.
Step into the NFL controversy zone as we scrutinize some eyebrow-raising referee calls in the Bills-Eagles game. We're also spotlighting the exceptional performances of Trevor Lawrence and CJ Stroud. But that's not all - we're predicting the turns of Week 13 and discussing potential Super Bowl titan clashes. And guess what? Skyler, our host's son, is stepping up to the plate with his own game predictions. Buckle up and join the thrill ride as we plunge into the vortex of NFL football.
Welcome back to Lacey's lineup. Thanksgiving has come and gone and so has week 12 of the NFL. I don't know about y'all, but this week flew by and I can't believe we are already about to talk about the NFL December games. But before we get into December, we had a lot happen last week in the NFL. Is anyone like me and tired of the refs dictating the outcomes of the games? Guys, I was so mad and I will dive into that a little bit later, because I promise you I will get heated when we start talking about this one particular game. But until then, it's time to dive into week 12. Recap starts right now. Well, like I said, there was a lot to unpack in week 12, so I'm going to give myself time limits again so that we can try to cover as many games as possible that happened in week 12, starting with our Thanksgiving games. So first on the clock we have Packers Lions to kick off Thanksgiving morning.
Speaker 1:Alright, was anyone surprised that the Lions lost at home on their Thanksgiving day game against a Packers team? That's been very inconsistent. I know I was. I mean the Lions. We talked about them in the past. They have this crazy good record that they haven't had since the 60s. And they're rocking and rolling and they're playing at home at their Thanksgiving game and they're trying to keep their luck going and it just ran out. It was just a. It was a crazy game because, if you look at it, jordan Love had he was 22 for 32 for 268 yards three touchdowns Crazy good performance. Gave his team enough to win, which ultimately they did. But he played a really really good game and he was a huge factor because of the win. Especially, he had, like a really long drive where he ran, so he was utilizing his feet as well. But if you look at golf, before we get to his errors, he was 29 of 44 332 yards and two touchdowns.
Speaker 1:The Lions you know we're answering at the beginning. Well, they answered after the first drive where the Green Bay scored and Lions it, but they missed the extra point and that's just kind of where things started turning. After that there was three costly turnovers by Jared Goff. He fumbled the ball three times at halftime. It was 23 to six and if you're a Lions fan you're not even worried about that right now like they have not been playing their first half really good at all, but they started trying to come back. But that fumble they had two in the first half and then the one was huge in the second half. That really just kept the game out of reach for the Lions. They tried to answer but they just couldn't. So they ended up losing that game 29 22.
Speaker 1:Are the Lions luck running out? It's hard to say. I mean, you got. You definitely can't be creating such high turnovers, especially going into December, where you're on the second half of the season to try to make a playoff run. They still have a good record and they still have a ton of weapons.
Speaker 1:But this is kind of where you put the question mark on Jared Goff. We were all talking about. You know his glory days were over and then all of a sudden he was reborn again. And bring in these Lions. You know through the threshold, but now you're starting to see a little bit of the golf that we remembered from the last couple of years. He's got to be able to take care of the ball. You don't turn the ball over three times. I think they have enough to win that game, but because of that they played from behind and just couldn't get it done. So to me the Lions luck is running out. We'll see if they can answer, but I think it's starting to start their downfall. So I think they could still make it to the playoffs, but now I'm starting to not think it's going to go through Detroit Next up.
Speaker 1:How about them? Cowboys, a lot will say. We played another diminishing team and it wasn't impressive because the commanders literally did nothing, but I think it was a well rounded game. This is the fifth straight home game in a row that we have beat our opponents with 20 plus points or more. That's impressive to me. I don't care who you're playing, they're still all professional athletes and we put on another dominating performance. I know our schedule is about to get a lot tougher and we got to see if we can keep these strides, but that presscott is playing at a level that we haven't seen for a really long time.
Speaker 1:Is it because of his announcement that he's going to be a dad? I am happy for him. Congratulations to them. I'm happy they're having a baby girl and, hey, if this is what is making him play how he's playing, I say bring it on, because he is playing almost back to his rookie year of where he's had his best stats. He's running on the ground, he's moving in the pocket. He is finding multiple receivers, so he's getting a lot of people involved. I mean cooks, lamb, turpin, doddle and Pollard all find the end zone in that game. I mean they were having a blast. It's so nice that they can pull themselves out in the fourth quarter. They're over there, you know, getting into the bucket, the Salvation Army bucket, pulling out the chicken legs or the turkey legs, sorry, and eating it and it just it seems like they're playing at a high level and things are starting to come together.
Speaker 1:I know a lot will say it's still a test on how we play with, you know, the dolphins bills. We got the Eagles coming up and you know even the Seahawks again on this Thursday is going to be a test, even though they're kind of, you know, falling off a little bit. But they're playing really, really well. I mean Dak had was 22 for 32, 331 yards for touchdowns. That's impressive. I know they talked to Jerry Jones after the game and he talked about this was probably His most favorite game that he's remembered in a really long time. I thought that was kind of weird just because of who they were playing and that we've, you know, played this way before. But I think he's just happy to see it happening at the end of November and we are starting to, you know, just really start Seeing what we are capable of and showing it out on the field.
Speaker 1:Pollard finally got going. He had 79 yards and he found the end zone. We weren't sure if he remembered where it was, but he found it. But I do like, if you're noticing, I've been saying it for a long time They've been utilizing Pollard the wrong way and now they're actually, you know, kind of making him move outside of the middle and, you know, edge rushing, and he's starting to show that he can win with speed more than physicality. So I'll be interested to see how he matches up and if they keep calling these different play calls that utilize Pollard the way he needs to be utilized. But now you have Pollard, that'll got into the end zone.
Speaker 1:So we had our run game going, you know, and everyone's just having a good time. It just seems like we are starting to do our peak and this could be the best moment for that, because we're about to enter Into the toughest schedule. So I am ready to prove all these haters wrong, especially the Steven A's of the world who think that we haven't played anybody and we've been on by weeks. Our schedule is about to test us a lot and it starts, I think, seattle, even though we know that they are struggling at the moment, but you can't overlook a team like this. So I think our schedule starts now and showing if we can maintain this high caliber that we've been playing. And then you have the defensive side who's just still wrecking, have it. And you have Bland who sets another record, his fifth pick, six this weekend, not just a interception but running it back for a touchdown. Like I told you, that fun stat last week was he has more touchdowns and like offensive Wide receivers, like number ones. So if he can keep that up and we can keep getting numbers on the defensive side too, it's gonna make the Cowboys very dangerous. Mark my words. I think the Cowboys are on their way up. Let's see if they can finish strong. I'm not gonna take a lot of time.
Speaker 1:On the night game on Thanksgiving it was the 49ers Seahawks. You know Gino tried to come back. He's struggling with an injury. 49ers were just dominant but they didn't do too much. Even if you guys had Purdy on your fantasy football team, you'll notice he didn't have very high numbers. It didn't really reflect on what the score was to end that game because they won 31, 13,. But 49ers are Preparing, you know, they're all getting healthy. They're still showing that they are gonna be a huge contender, coming into the stretch and definitely trying to make their way to the Super Bowl. They're a scary team, I'm not gonna deny that. But I don't think there was so much to talk about Seahawks kind of laid over, 49ers kind of just Mosey through that game.
Speaker 1:So, even though I'm sure 49er fans enjoyed that game and had a blast, for viewers that are non Fans it was a kind of boring game to watch. While we're talking about boring games, we were all excited with the hype of the NFL's first-ever black Friday football game. The dolphins took on the jets and Besides it being a new date and the first time playing on black Friday, I think Garth Brooks was the only excitement on that day the dolphins and jets, it just wasn't fun to watch. I mean both teams really didn't play that well, even though the dolphins won 34 to 13. I mean jets are just struggling.
Speaker 1:I mean the jets defense I will say at once again Did their job. They did a really, really good job. They caused a lot of turnovers. They put pressure on the ball. I mean they charged to a, had two interceptions, but offense just has nothing. You know, they demoted Zach Wilson. He's not even the best Wilson, he's not even the backup quarterback. He is now the third-string quarterback. I mean he just has to be not knowing what to do with himself. But they needed something and Tim Boyle was not the answer. Maybe he could Later on. I mean I can see where there's potential with him, but definitely wasn't in that game. Along with two a. He threw two interceptions, so only threw for 179 yards. I mean they only scored 13 points. So, like I said, outside of Garth Brooks there wasn't really much to show there and they could not do anything, even with their defense trying to help them off. The offense for the jets is awful. I don't know how they're gonna change it, if they can change it, but I think the players are starting to check out. I don't think there's any type and once the defense folds completely, there's gonna be no hope for the Jets.
Speaker 1:Now let's move on to Sunday's games. This is where things started to heat up. We started with the fight for the AFC South, with Jaguars versus a very hot Houston Texans team, jaguars came to play. Trevor Lawrence was like, stop talking about CJ Stroud, my team is good and I'm going to come out here and win. And that's exactly what he did. I mean, they kept this game so interesting on the edge of your seat, but Jacksonville pulled it out at the end 24 to 21.
Speaker 1:I will say they finally started finding Calvin Ridley. I know I was watching the fantasy post on Facebook and everyone was like do I start Ridley, do I not? And then the people that did in that first half were like this was a waste Ridley, like I'm trading him. And then all of a sudden they were singing his praises because he's a good player. They need to find him. And finally they did and they got him when it mattered the most. And the connection with Lawrence and Ridley is what won them this game. You know there wasn't a lot of on the run game. Trevor Lawrence, he played awesome. I mean he did have one interception but he was 23 for 38, 364 yards and one touchdown. So he did what it took to get his team there. But the Calvin Ridley man he is who came alive for them and really helped them win.
Speaker 1:Cj Stroud still impressive. I mean this kid just does not stop fighting. He's still so much fun to watch. He's a rookie. You guys have to remember that he's a rookie. He's gonna make rookie mistakes, but just the way he stays poised, his leadership on the field, it's just so fun to watch and it's gonna only take him. I mean I think we're gonna be talking about CJ Stroud for a really long time in the NFL, but he was 26 of 36, 304 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and he was running. He ran for a touchdown. I mean he was fighting till the bitter end. They just ran out of time and a Phil Gold decided this game.
Speaker 1:I think this could be another matchup with these two, maybe in the postseason, but Jaguars are starting to hit fire right now. I mean you know we talk about the Texans have caught fire. They kind of got, you know, a little dim during this game, but it was still a hard fight. But I think we're gonna have to watch. These two team battled it out, but Jacksonville takes it. They continue on and Trevor Lawrence is playing the best he's played in a while. All right, not a lot of talk about with this game, but I wanted to just cover it a little bit, because all these haters for the Broncos who started 0-5 and literally got embarrassed with a team in the Dolphins and they're up 70 against them. You can't count these guys out. You can't count Sean Payton out, russell Wilson he's answering the bell right now and they are red hot. They have won their last six games.
Speaker 1:They went in to play a Browns team which I know had just lost to Sean Watson a week before, but their defense is the real deal. I think their defense, the Browns defense led by Miles Garrett, is probably the best defense in the league right now. Arguably they're the reasons why the Browns have been so successful. But they weren't. This week Broncos came to play and they put on another dominating performance and won this game 29-12. The Browns did have injuries in the quarterback position.
Speaker 1:Again. Dorian Thompson-Rominson concussion protocol brought MPJ Walker, you know, and he didn't really do anything. I mean, he didn't play very long but he probably will be playing this week. So it'll be interesting, because I thought PJ Walker was going to be the replacement for DeSean Watson but Dorian beat him out, but they just couldn't get anything. I mean, cream Hunt, ford, nothing on the ground. They're just, you know, there was just very little offense by them. So the defense tried to hang on, kind of like you know the last game that I was talking about, but they just couldn't do it and Broncos' offense came to play again. I mean Russell Wilson, it wasn't crazy, but he took care of the ball. He only had 134 yards but they were rockin' and rollin'. I mean Sutton was awesome, you know, williams was running the ball really well. But Broncos, they are tired of hearing the crap talked about them and they are answering the bell. I mean to be 0-5, and now you're in the positive sitting at 6-5, giving you a chance to extend your season. Broncos, gotta watch for them. We'll see how it goes from here.
Speaker 1:I have one more game to talk about, and this is the one that I told you at the beginning of this episode was gonna get me pretty heated. So just havin' you guys ready for this, because we are about to talk about the Bill's Eagles game on Sunday. If you watch that game you are gonna know exactly what I'm talking about. On all the controversial, controversial ref calls that happened in that game, it was unbelievable. Yes, I'm an admitted Cowboys fan. Yes, I wanted the Eagles to lose, but I just wanted it to be a fair fight. I don't know why the NFL chose in the Eagles as their adopted son, because they get all the treatment in the world by the referees. It was so blatantly obvious that the refs wanted the Eagles to win and they made sure that they would do it. I'm not saying that for a fact, of course. That's just me talking, because there was so much that went the Eagles way in that game. But I guess I could say the Bills still could have won. They had opportunities. They had missed fill goals that they didn't capitalize on and they got the ball first in overtime.
Speaker 1:But before we jump ahead of ourselves, let's start with the beginning of this game. This game was all about the Bills. The Bills were in control to start this game. They jumped up early. They had the lead. At half it was 17 to 10, which, if that sounds familiar, that was the same score that the Chiefs had against the Eagles the week before. So that's kind of like the Lions thing. Eagles fans don't worry, because Eagles really don't show up in the first half, but they find a way to win at the end.
Speaker 1:But let's talk about this one play. And you guys, I wish I had video to show you during this, but you're going to have to visualize this with me because Eagles or Bills are moving down the field. They are first in goal. You know they missed the first place.
Speaker 1:Second in goal, josh Allen runs out of the pocket and he has I can't remember the defender that was following him, but he has a defender following him and the guy lunges, pulls his front and yes, I know the rules, I know horse color is not in the front, it has to be on the side and the back. But he pulled them from the back to right in front of the ref, even tore his jersey, pulled him Straight down and Josh Allen tried to get rid of the ball, obviously to avoid the sack. They do not call horse color at all, nothing. Do you know what they call everybody? They call intentional grounding on Josh Allen, like it was the craziest, like I was screaming at the TV, I was throwing, like I just don't like that. Like why are you there, refs? You're there to call the fouls and penalties and you're standing right there. It wasn't even like you missed it, it was right there and if you guys can go back and look, if you missed this game, you'll be able to see. You know shots of him and where it got pulled.
Speaker 1:But this was a pivotal moment. They called intentional grounding, which lost 15 yards, and the loss of down which ultimately had to make them try to kick a field goal, a deep field goal I think it was 49 yards which he ended up missing, basted and gave it back. Yes, you can argue, oh, it worked itself out, because two plays later the Eagles fumbled the ball and they capitalized and the bills were able to score off of that turnover. But this was huge. This was so huge that was them being able to score, as opposed to the penalty going against them. Like if you're not going to call the horsecaller, you can't call anything else. In my eyes, like that's just total BS, like I just I get so mad even talking about it. But they did and they were still up and the bills came back and just did not do anything.
Speaker 1:The second but they were driving. So here's my second point. They were driving in the third quarter and digs gets mauled over on a big third down and you can even see in a still shot, if you look online him getting pulled, his arm and his jersey, and they don't call it. They don't call it, so now it's worth down. They have to pun it instead of you know, spot of the foul, automatic first down and that's. I mean. I just think the refs cost them so many points. Not going to say the refs changed the outcome of the game, but I do think they would have had a really big lead had it not been for these controversial calls and ultimately not put them in the position that they were in.
Speaker 1:But they go down and the Eagles have seconds left and they're down by three. And there Jake Elliott hit a 59, I guess it was 59 yards, in the weather I mean, it was pouring rain, couldn't even see and he hits a 60 yarder to send it into overtime. Like, even if you look at Jaylen Hertz, he couldn't believe it. He's shaking his head. He's like, are you serious? Like I think they were all over it because the weather and it was freezing, but it goes to overtime.
Speaker 1:Well, who wins the Queen toss? The bills do, and they get the ball first. Remember, josh Allen is now 0-6 and over times. Like, when is he ever gonna get over this hurdle? But he's down and he gets the ball first. He goes down, they're driving, they're moving the ball. They're now in scoring range. All they need is a touchdown to win this game in overtime, because the first team only needs a touchdown for the game to be over. So Jaylen Hertz doesn't even get the opportunity to touch the ball.
Speaker 1:Well, wide open touchdown pass and Gabe Davis runs the wrong route or he throws the wrong, but I'm pretty sure it was the wrong route by Gabe Davis Blows a wide open touchdown to literally walk off the field. Bills win. So what do they have to settle for? They have to settle for a field goal. Now defense has to come back on and defense is tired, they're exhausted and they played so soft. So yes, I'm mad at their revs, but Bills kind of gave up. Josh Allen had a heck of a game. This guy was unbelievable to watch. He did everything he needed to do and he gave his team the lead in overtime. And the defense did not hold up their end of it. They played soft. They allowed them to throw in the middle and just work their way down the field. And at the end of the game, jaylen Hertz, who has been injured and not using his legs very much, escaped the pocket and ran in for the touchdown to end the game.
Speaker 1:Eagles, once again, their lucky butts keep somehow winning this game with the help of the refs, I will say, but they win it 37-34 and continue winning, continue leading the NFL. So tired of talking about it. They should have lost the last two because the Chiefs but that's the difference between the Chiefs and the Bills the Chiefs no one could catch the ball, so that was just crazy. But the Bills could, and they were in that. If they just would have ran the right route. It was wide open but they allowed Jaylen Hertz to get the ball and Jaylen Hertz got to give them credit. He knows how to win at the end of the game and he did it for his team.
Speaker 1:So frustrating for a Cowboys fan to watch, because I can't stand the Eagles to continue winning, especially with luck on their side. But eventually the luck is gonna have to run out, right, it has to, but we will see. They face the 49ers this weekend and then they're coming to Dallas the following weekend. So they talk about the three top NFC teams, which is, cowboys, eagles and 49ers. We're all about to play each other in the next two weeks, so I think we're gonna be able to determine who is the best in those moments. So come on, cowboys, I really need you to come through for me next week. Well, that does it for my recap of the games that I really wanted to cover.
Speaker 1:So, before I leave, you guys know what I like to do. I like to give my best and worst of the week. So let's start with the worst of the week. My worst of the week definitely goes to the Detroit Lions. They were at home. They're coming off their most winningest record. They have all the weapons and golf can't take care of the ball. It was hard to watch the fumble after fumble after fumble. I'm not taking credit away from the Packers because they came in and did a great performance, but your Lions have set their expectations high. Fans are expecting a lot more out of them, and to lose because you can't take care of the ball makes you my worst of the week. And for my best of the week, I feel like I haven't been giving them love lately because I kind of don't want to jinx it, but here I am because they deserve it.
Speaker 1:My best of the week goes to my Dallas Cowboys. Not only are they setting records, they're performing on all cylinders. They're blowing out teams when they need to and they just look like everything's gelling at the right time. Defense has always been consistent. Dak is playing the best I've seen him play in a long time as far as mobility and doing all his check downs. It just becomes what we hoped the Dallas Cowboys will be. I know we're about to enter into our tougher part of the schedule, but let's take that and ride. But by far Thanksgiving was a very happy day because the Cowboys came out and just had pure domination.
Speaker 1:Now let's talk about Lacey's top five, five Super Bowl contenders, I think after week 12. In this order I'm gonna start at the bottom. We are number five, kansas City Chiefs. I still have a lot of doubts with this team because I feel like their wide receiver game is just really struggling and they are not able to catch the beautiful balls coming from Patrick Mahomes. But because his name is Patrick Mahomes and because he plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, he is always a contender in my books. So can he get it done? I said the only thing he can't do is catch his own passes, so someone's gonna have to come through for him. But Patrick Mahomes can take over games and do it all by himself when he needs it the most. So for that reason they're my number five.
Speaker 1:Number four Dallas Cowboys. Like I said, they're hitting on all cylinders right now. They're dominating teams. I mean, they talk about these teams not being like losing records. Well, okay, but we're showing that we don't even compete with them because we're blowing them out of the water. There has been five games this season that our starters have been able to rest in the fourth quarter and that's impressive on its own. We're entering our toughest part of the schedule, but we are peaking. We are starting our peak and we are gonna show that we are true Super Bowl contenders. So for that reason they are my number four.
Speaker 1:Number three has to go to the Baltimore Ravens. I still am questioning Lamar Jackson and his accuracy in throwing. I gave him props a couple of weeks ago because it looked a lot more accurate, but in these past two weeks it's starting to look like the old Lamar throwing the ball. He's gotta be able to get it to his studs like Zay Flowers and even Odell Beckham, if he wants to be successful. We know he can run, but if he can pass two and you have a Super Bowl type defense on the other side that can contain offenses, they have a real shot of making it to the Super Bowl. So they get my number three.
Speaker 1:Number two I swear my one and twos have not changed and I'm ready for them too, but I think they can coming up in the next couple of weeks. But number two is the 49ers. They're getting healthy. Mike Shanahan is a mastermind. Purdy is still a question mark for me. I feel like when he went through those three game losses he's not really has the confidence or the invisibility that he once had, but he's got all these weapons around him. So if he can't throw, guess what? Christian McCaffrey is gonna run it for him. Debo is gonna take over the game, iuk is gonna take over the game. You have now Chase Young and Bosa on the defensive side. Trent Williams is back protecting his quarterback. They're just scary. They have weapons everywhere and if they can stay healthy we could see them at the end of the year.
Speaker 1:And number one the luckiest team in the league right now. Everybody loves them, the refs especially. But the Eagles, they gotta stay up there for the fact that they're playing caliber teams. They're getting help from the refs. I will keep saying that because I do think it's true, but they're still sitting at the top of the best record, only have one loss. Like I said, they're coming about to play the 49ers, then they gotta play the Dallas Cowboys. So we will see if they can maintain this luck or if their luck is about to run out, but as of now they are still my number one. Well, that does it for Lacey's lineup.
Speaker 1:I loved covering all these games this week. Even though I do get mad at refs and the outcome of games and there's boring games, there's still so much excitement and it makes me so happy to be able to talk about all these games and relive it with you guys and break it all down. I just love football season and it is just so much fun to talk about. So thanks for hanging on, thanks for riding this ride with me, and I can't wait to be back next week to talk about week 13. But I'm happy. Before we go, my son, skyler. He was sick last week but he is back this week, healthy, happy and ready to deliver these predictions. So before we go, skyler's gonna take it out with the predictions for week 13.
Speaker 2:Is that everybody Is your boy man Skyler, back on Lacey's lineup for week 13 predictions. First, thursday night football Seahawks Cowboys. Of course I'm going with the Cowboys by 10. They're breaking records. And now Sunday's matchups First, broncos Texans I'm gonna go with the Texans by three, and then Lions Saints I'm gonna go with the Lions by seven. They should be the Packers. Oh my gosh, is this really? 49ers and Eagles? This better be a game or I am gonna get really mad. But of course I'm going with the 49ers by 10. Better win, all right.
Speaker 2:And Sunday night football second to last game of week 13, rematch is Super Bowl one. I need Chiefs to win this game because I need them to win the Super Bowl again, so I'm gonna have them by eight. And now Monday night football the last game of week 13, Bingles Jaguars. Bingles were looking really good and I thought they were gonna win a Super Bowl this year, but Joe Burr hurt his hand, so they're out. So I'm gonna go with the Jaguars by 12. And that is week 13 predictions for you. I'll be back on Lacey's Lineup next week for week 14 predictions Skyler out.