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Five things we learned from Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season

Five things we learned from Week 12 of the 2024 NFL seasonAl Bello/Getty Images

The final full weekend of November brought more of the NFL's season into focus as teams jostled for playoff positioning.

While there's still much football left to be played, Week 12 may indicate an imminent changing of the guard across several divisions in the league.

Here are a few of the things from the weekend's games that may (or may not) have slid under the radar.

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Are the Broncos playoff-bound?

Bo NixGettyImages

If the season ended right now, they'd be in.

Denver's 29-19 victory at Las Vegas in Week 12 improved the Broncos' record to 7-5, good enough for the seventh seed in the AFC. Bo Nix and Co. have now won back-to-back games and have looked the part of postseason contender, although their run game needs major improvement if they want to make any waves should they make the playoffs.

The Seahawks are front-runners to win the NFC West, for now

DK Metcalf Seahawks_November2022Steph Chambers/Getty Images

The NFL's tightest division got a little more clarity this weekend after Seattle defeated the Arizona Cardinals 16-6 to take possession of first place in the NFC West.

The Seahawks kept the Cardinals out of the end zone in the divisional battle, and they are now on a two-game win streak. A tough remaining schedule might bring the Seahawks back down to Earth, especially given how close all four NFC West teams are to each other record-wise, but for now they can enjoy the spoils of a well-deserved victory.

Caleb Williams is looking like a first overall pick

Caleb Williams Chicago Bears_10082024Rich Barnes/Getty Images

The Chicago Bears didn't win in Week 12 and currently have a less than one percent chance of making the playoffs, but that doesn't mean there haven't been positives to come out of the season.

No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams has clearly enjoyed life under the Bears' new offensive coordinator as he's seen his numbers rise over the past two games. On Sunday, Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns on 32-of-47 passing, and he led the Bears when rushing with 33 yards on six carries to show the mobility and athleticism that allowed him to dominate in college.

If Williams continues to grow for the remainder of the season, the campaign may still be looked upon as a success regardless of the team's overall record.

Patrick Mahomes may finally be rounding into form

Patrick Mahomes Chiefs_10082024Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

The Chiefs' superstar quarterback threw for 269 yards for three touchdowns and zero interceptions in Kansas City's far-too-narrow 30-27 victory at Carolina.

Mahomes has thrown for 10 TDs over the past four games after connecting on just four TD passes over the previous four outings, so the two-time NFL MVP seems to be timing his ascent well as the postseason approaches.

However, Mahomes was also sacked five times by the Panthers this week, so there's still work to be done.

The 49ers are shells of their former selves

Brandon Allen 49ers_18082024Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Injuries have played a big part, but the Niners' rapid decline is still shocking given how good they've been in recent years.

At 5-6, San Francisco's playoff probability is a mere 15 percent after the 49ers failed to trouble the Green Bay Packers in a lifeless 38-10 loss at Lambeau Field over the weekend.

They've been listless offensively since their Week 9 bye, and even the return of Christian McCaffrey from an Achilles injury hasn't spurred the team back to life. Of course, a return to health for some key injured players — most notably Brock Purdy — could help turn things around for the Niners in an NFC West division that is still very much there for the taking.

 

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