New York, November 27, 2025
The NFL’s Week 12 slate from November 20 to 24 delivered a series of tightly contested games across multiple divisions, highlighted by several overtime outcomes and standout individual performances that influenced playoff trajectories in both conferences.
Competitive Results and Overtime Thrillers
Week 12 featured several games decided in overtime, underscoring the equalized competition across the league. The Kansas City Chiefs edged the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in OT, with Kareem Hunt rushing for 104 yards and the Chiefs’ defense securing key stops. Similarly, the Detroit Lions defeated the New York Giants 34-27 in overtime, fueled by Jahmyr Gibbs’ exceptional 219 rushing yards. The Jacksonville Jaguars also won in overtime, beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-24 after a late surge.
Thursday night’s opener brought an upset as the Houston Texans defeated the Buffalo Bills 23-19 despite Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen throwing for 253 yards. The Texans’ defense managed critical stops to close out the game on home turf.
Key Performances Drive Outcomes
Several quarterbacks posted impressive numbers. Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott passed for 354 yards in a narrow 24-21 victory over NFC East rivals Philadelphia Eagles. Geno Smith led the Cleveland Browns to a 24-10 win against the Las Vegas Raiders with 285 passing yards. Baltimore Ravens restricted the New York Jets 23-10, with Tyrod Taylor contributing 222 passing yards.
On the ground, Jahmyr Gibbs’ 219 rushing yards were pivotal in the Lions’ overtime win, exemplifying how dominant running back performances influenced results in Week 12.
Divisional Standings and Defensive Notes
In the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers’ defense held the Minnesota Vikings to just six points, facilitating a 23-6 victory. Jordan Love’s steady 139 passing yards complemented the defensive effort, critical for divisional positioning. The Chicago Bears narrowly defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 in another NFC North contest, underscoring tight rivalries shaping the playoff race.
The Atlanta Falcons maintained offensive dominance in a 24-10 win over the New Orleans Saints, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were outmatched 34-7 by the Los Angeles Rams.
BYE Weeks and Rest Considerations
The Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders observed their bye weeks, providing these teams rest advantages as the season nears critical stages.
Broadcast Coverage and Prime-Time Highlights
Week 12’s games were nationally televised across CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and streamed on Prime Video. Prime-time matchups included the Thursday night Bills versus Texans opener, Sunday night’s Buccaneers against Rams, and Monday’s Carolina Panthers hosting the San Francisco 49ers, with the 49ers winning 20-9 behind Brock Purdy’s 193 passing yards.
These results deepen playoff implications and set the stage for intensifying competition as the NFL regular season advances.