THE NFL STORY: 2012 WEEK #12

So Detroit's defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh did not get ejected nor suspended for kicking Houston QB Matt Schaub in the groin. Hey, in professional wrestling even the fake refs admonish you for the fake groin kicks.

THE SCORE:
HOUSTON (10-1) 34
Detroit (4-7) 31
THE STATS: In overtime game, teams combined for 55 first downs, 1026 yards, 165 total offensive plays, zero defense.
THE STORY: In a game that featured 65 points and 11 scores, Houston never led until the overtime winner.


THE SCORE:
WASHINGTON (5-6) 38
Dallas (5-6) 31
THE STATS: Washington four 2nd-quarter touchdowns.
THE STORY: Dallas made it close in the 4th quarter in a fun little game between two teams going in the same direction: Nowhere.


THE SCORE:
NEW ENGLAND (8-3) 49
NY Jets (4-7) 19
THE STATS: New England five 2nd-quarter touchdowns.
THE STORY: NY Jets were the only Thanksgiving team not to score at least 31 points.


THE SCORE:
Pittsburgh (6-5) 14
CLEVELAND (3-8) 20
THE STATS: Pittsburgh 1-9 on third downs conversions.
THE STORY: Steelers offense played like they were led by a 3rd string quarterback. Oh, yeah, it makes sense now.


THE SCORE:
Buffalo (4-7) 13
INDIANAPOLIS (7-4) 20
THE STATS: Indianapolis P Pat McAfee 5-51.2 average per punt.
THE STORY: Amazingly, at 7-4, Colts still have given up 43 more points than they scored.


THE SCORE:
DENVER (8-3) 17
Kansas City (1-10) 9
THE STATS: Denver defense: 116 yards passing, allow just 3-14 third down conversions, 9 points.
THE STORY: Fewest points for Broncos this season, but they still won because they were, ya know, playing the Chiefs.


THE SCORE:
Tennessee (4-7) 19
JACKSONVILLE (2-9) 24
THE STATS: Jacksonville QB Chad Henne survives 7 sacks to go 17-26-261-1-2 TDs, 108.0 rating.
THE STORY: Would someone remind the Jags what they are playing for -- the top overall pick.


THE SCORE:
Minnesota (6-5) 10
CHICAGO (8-3) 28
THE STATS: Chicago WR Brandon Marshall 12-92, more than 1/2 of the team's 23 completions.
THE STORY: Minnesota now in 3rd place after starting the season 4-1.


THE SCORE:
ATLANTA (10-1) 24
Tampa Bay (6-5) 23
THE STATS: Atlanta WR Julio Jones 6-147-1 TD (24.5 avg).
THE STORY: Buccaneers still an intriguing team despite end of 4 game win streak, as Doug Martin scores 2 more TDs, 9 TDs for the season.


THE SCORE:
Seattle (6-5) 21
MIAMI (5-6) 24
THE STATS: Seattle 10 penalties to just 2 for Miami; Miami 2 first downs on penalties, none for Seattle.
THE STORY: Miami makes it a 2-0 weekend for the AFC over the NFC, but AFC still -8 on the season vs. NFC.


THE SCORE:
BALTIMORE (9-2) 16
San Diego (4-7) 13
THE STATS: Baltimore RB Ray Rice 22-97 rushing, 8-67 receiving, big 4th down reception and run with 1:37 left in regulation to set up game tying FG.
THE STORY: 4th and 29, Baltimore? Are you kidding?


THE SCORE:
SAN FRANCISCO(8-2) 31
New Orleans (5-6) 21
THE STATS: San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick 16-25-231-1-1 TD; 90.6 rating; 6-27-1 TD rushing.
THE STORY: Kaepernick is this season's Tim Tebow. And how is that working out for Tebow, anyway?


THE SCORE:
ST. LOUIS (4-6) 31
Arizona (4-7) 17
THE STATS: St. Louis Cornerback Janoris Jenkins 2 INT, 2 TDs (36, 39).
THE STORY: Did Arizona really start 4-0 ?


THE SCORE:
Green Bay (7-4) 10
NY GIANTS (7-4) 38
THE STATS: NY Giants defense: 201 yards passing.
THE STORY: Huge beatdown by the Giants, but actually, both teams are tied at 7-4 now.


THE SCORE:
Oakland (3-8) 10
CINCINNATI (6-5) 34
THE STATS: Cincinnati RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis 19-129-1 TD.
THE STORY: Bengals 3rd straight win, and can continue to pad their playoff resume with games against San Diego, Dallas, and Philadelphia (combined 12-21), but finish against Pittsburgh, Baltimore (combined 15-7).


THE SCORE:
CAROLINA (3-8) 30
Philadelphia (3-8) 22
THE STATS: Carolina QB Cam Newton 18-28-306-0-2 TDs, 125.0 rating; 14-52-2 TD rushing.
THE STORY: A reality show we'd like to see: "Choosing The New Eagles Head Coach"

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