Week 12 of the NFL season will go down as one of the wildest weeks for special teams in recent memory. From missed chip-shot field goals to game-winning kicks and electrifying return touchdowns, Sunday delivered drama across the league. Here’s a detailed breakdown of all the action, starting with a chaotic showdown in Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Commanders 26
The Cowboys pulled off a thrilling win thanks to a flurry of special teams heroics in the final minutes.
- Grade for Cowboys: A-
Dallas needed a team-wide effort with backup quarterback Cooper Rush at the helm. The Cowboys got just that. Rush threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense stood tall for three quarters before a fourth-quarter wobble. But the game’s defining moments came on special teams, where KaVontae Turpin and Juanyeh Thomas each scored on kickoff returns, including an onside kick return in the dying seconds. The Cowboys showed they can hang with playoff contenders, which could make them dangerous spoilers as the season winds down. - Grade for Commanders: B-
It was a rough outing for Washington’s special teams, to put it mildly. They surrendered two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and kicker Austin Seibert missed three critical kicks, including an extra point following an 86-yard touchdown bomb from Jayden Daniels to Terry McLaurin. While Daniels threw for 275 yards and brought life to the offense in the fourth quarter, the Commanders’ earlier struggles left them too much to overcome. With their playoff hopes fading, Washington has a lot of questions to answer.
Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 27 (OT)
A seesaw battle ended in overtime, with the Vikings escaping thanks to a clutch field goal and a balanced offensive attack.
- Grade for Vikings: B
Minnesota’s defense nearly let the game slip away, but their offense came through when it mattered most. Jordan Addison (182 receiving yards) and T.J. Hockenson (114 yards) provided reliable targets for Sam Darnold, who had one of his best games of the season. The Vikings’ overtime win was a huge morale boost, especially with a favorable stretch of home games on the horizon. - Grade for Bears: B-
New offensive coordinator Thomas Brown has reinvigorated the Bears’ offense. Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns while adding 33 rushing yards, but the defense couldn’t hold up its end of the bargain. Giving up 452 total yards to Minnesota proved costly, and despite a valiant fourth-quarter rally, Chicago fell short.
Detroit Lions 24, Indianapolis Colts 6
The Lions flexed their defensive muscle, suffocating the Colts’ offense in a dominant performance.
- Grade for Lions: A
Detroit’s defense was the star of the show, holding the Colts to just six points and under 100 yards in the second half. Jared Goff spread the ball around on offense, and Jahmyr Gibbs added two rushing touchdowns in another well-rounded effort. The Lions have solidified themselves as one of the NFC’s elite teams and look poised for a deep playoff run. - Grade for Colts: C
The Colts couldn’t capitalize on early red zone opportunities and failed to score a single touchdown. Anthony Richardson struggled mightily, completing just 39.3% of his passes, which was emblematic of Indianapolis’ offensive woes. The defense showed flashes of potential but couldn’t keep the team afloat.
Miami Dolphins 34, New England Patriots 15
The Dolphins cruised past the Patriots, extending their winning streak to three games behind Tua Tagovailoa’s stellar play.
- Grade for Dolphins: A
Tua Tagovailoa continued his November hot streak with 317 passing yards and four touchdowns, including three in the first half. Jaylen Waddle was unstoppable, racking up 144 receiving yards, while Miami’s defense smothered Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, sacking him four times. The Dolphins are finding their stride at the perfect time. - Grade for Patriots: D-
New England’s offense sputtered, totaling just 84 first-half yards. Maye’s struggles were compounded by a defense that couldn’t contain Tagovailoa or Waddle. The Patriots looked overmatched in all phases, raising serious concerns about their ability to compete down the stretch.
Tennessee Titans 32, Houston Texans 27
This AFC South clash was decided by yet another special teams mishap.
- Grade for Titans: B
Tennessee’s offense showed resilience, and their defense did just enough to hang on. But the Titans caught a major break when Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal late in the game. - Grade for Texans: C+
Fairbairn’s miss was a tough pill to swallow in an otherwise solid outing for Houston’s offense. The Texans moved the ball effectively but couldn’t finish when it mattered most.
Key Trends from Week 12
This week highlighted just how much special teams can swing games.
- Missed Kicks: Four misses from 28 yards or closer this season, and Ka’imi Fairbairn owns two of them.
- Game-Winning Kicks: Spencer Shrader (Chiefs) and John Parker Romo (Vikings) delivered under pressure.
- Return Touchdowns: KaVontae Turpin and Juanyeh Thomas made history for Dallas with two kickoff return touchdowns in one game.
Week 12 reminded us that even in a quarterback-driven league, games are often won and lost in the trenches—and on special teams.
