9:48AM EST November 27. 2012 - USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay Jones hands out AFC grades from Week 12 in the NFL:
AFC East
New England Patriots (8-3) A
The butt-kicking the Patriots delivered the Jets on Thanksgiving night showed why the rest of the AFC should be very, very afraid. We all knew Tom Brady and Co. could put up points, but the Patriots are getting defensive and special teams touchdowns and winning big in spite of injuries to several of their best players.
Miami Dolphins (5-6) B
They beat the Seattle Seahawks at home in a game with the most memorable moment being a malfunctioning sprinkler system. Though the playoffs are likely out of reach for the Dolphins, they should be encouraged by rookie QB Ryan Tannehill, who led a game-winning drive Sunday against a strong Seattle defense.
New York Jets (4-7) F
There is nothing more embarrassing than a quarterback fumbling the ball after running into his lineman's rear end. And yet, that one play by Mark Sanchez in the Jets' Thanksgiving blowout loss to New England provided the perfect image to illustrate the Jets' disaster of a season.
Buffalo Bills (4-7) D
The Bills got 100-yard days from CJ Spiller (107 rushing)and Stevie Johnson (106 receiving) yet scored only a single touchdown in their 20-13 loss to Indianapolis. Hardly an inspiring performance for a team bordering on irrelevance.
The Ravens were on the verge of a failing grade in San Diego before Ray Rice turned a fourth-and-29 into a first down on the game-tying drive in the fourth quarter on one of the most impressive and improbable plays we've seen all season.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) D
With a 20-14 loss at Cleveland, the Steelers showed just how desperately they need Ben Roethlisberger to heal. They might have been able to survive injuries to James Harrison, Troy Polumalu and Rashard Mendenhall, among others, but if they can't beat the Browns with Charlie Batch, they certainly aren't beating the Ravens. Does Roethlisberger rush back this week? Stay tuned.
Cincinnati Bengals (6-5) A
For the Bengals, it doesn't get much better than beating their former franchise quarterback, who demanded to leave. The Bengals are quietly in the midst of a three-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents 93-29.
Cleveland Browns (3-8) B
So what if it came against the Ben Roethlisberger-lessSteelers? The Browns will take a win against the Steelers any way they can get it. But it may have come at a price: Rookie quarterback Brandon Weedon suffered a concussion in the final minutes of the game.
AFC South
Houston Texans (10-1) B
No one deserved a long weekend more than the Texans, who kicked off Thanksgiving with an overtime win in Detroit that lasted nearly five full quarters – less than five days after needing five quarters to beat Jacksonville. Houston's injury-riddled defense looks vulnerable, but with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson playing well, the Texans remain a serious Super Bowl threat.
Indianapolis Colts (7-4) B
Would anyone really have believed that the Colts would be in playoff contention at the end of November? Sure, beating the Bills wasn't sexy, but the Colts – led by T.Y. Hilton's punt return and receiving touchdowns –rebounded well from a humbling loss last week to New England.
Tennessee Titans (4-7) D
The Titans spent their bye week preparing for this? They didn't score a touchdown until the fourth quarter, then fired their offensive coordinator. Quarterback Jake Locker was intercepted twice, including once on a final desperation throw to end the game.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) B
Chad Henne did in his first start what Blaine Gabbert couldn't do all year: Win at home. Henne survived seven sacks Sunday against Tennessee to throw for 261 yards and two touchdowns, which leads to the question: Why didn't Henne start sooner?
AFC West
Denver Broncos (8-3) C
They escaped Kansas City with a 17-9 win – easily their ugliest win of the season. But the Broncos also escaped a serious scare when Peyton Manning passed a concussion test at halftime.
San Diego Chargers (4-7) F
If Chargers fans thought it couldn't get worse than watching their team blow a 24-0 halftime lead in October, here comes Ray Rice and the Ravens, rumbling for 30 yards on fourth-and-29. The Chargers' overtime loss all but killed any playoffs hopes.
Oakland (3-8) D
Not only did the Raiders get blown out by Cincinnati (and have two players ejected after an on-field brawl), but the loss only improves their first-round draft pick in 2013 – a pick they have to send to the Bengals as part of the Carson Palmer trade. Ouch.
Kansas City (1-10) F
Are the Chiefs so desperate they'll call a trick play for Peyton Hillis to throw a pass in the first quarter against the Broncos? Yes,yes they are. That pass failed. So did the Chiefs' season. The loss Sunday officially eliminated them from playoff contention.
Indianapolis Colts running back Vic Ballard (33) drops a pass while defended by Buffalo Bills safety Jairus Byrd (31) at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts won 20-13. Brian Spurlock, US Presswire
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) kicks a game winning field goal in overtime to beat the San Diego Chargers 16-13 at Qualcomm Stadium. Jake Roth, US Presswire
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Chris Givens (13) makes a catch for a 37 yard touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (31) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams beat the Cardinals 31-17. Matt Kartozian, US Presswire
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is pressured by New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) as he scrambles during the second quarter of an NFL game at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won 38-10. Brad Penner, US Presswire
San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips (95) celebrates after sacking Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (not pictured) during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. The Ravens beat the Chargers 16-13. Christopher Hanewinckel, US Presswire
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs off the field following a win over the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The 49ers defeated the Saints 31-21. Derick E. Hingle, US Presswire
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) dives for a first down on a fourth down to keep the Ravens drive alive as San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer (23) and cornerback Antoine Cason (20) tackle him at Qualcomm Stadium.The Ravens beat the Chargers 16-13. Jake Roth, US Presswire
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Chris Givens (13) celebrates after scoring a 37 yard touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams beat the Cardinals 31-17. Matt Kartozian, US Presswire
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (right) celebrates his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers with tight end Martellus Bennett (left) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The Giants won the game 38-10. Mark L. Baer, US Presswire
A general view as the sprinklers go off during a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 24-21. Steve Mitchell, US Presswire
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) paces the sidelines during first quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) started the game instead of Smith. The 49ers won 31-21. John David Mercer, US Presswire
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) reacts after deflecting a pass by San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. The Ravens beat the Chargers 16-13. Christopher Hanewinckel, US Presswire
Cincinnati Bengals fan dresses up for the game during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Raiders 34-10. Frank Victores, US Presswire
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) motions on the line of scrimmage in the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos won 17-9. Denny Medley, US Presswire
Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders Crystal Ann, left, and Megan get their heads shaved by Colts mascot during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium. The cheerleaders raised over $22,670 for cancer research in support of Colts coach Chuck Pagano who has leukemia. Brian Spurlock, US Presswire
New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) flips San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) over his back during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The 49ers won 31-21. Derick E. Hingle, US Presswire
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham crosses into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won the game 34-10. Rob Leifheit, US Presswire
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (22) is congratulated by strong safety William Moore (25) after he broke up a pass in the end zone against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-23. Kim Klement, US Presswire
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Austen Lane (92) runs onto the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 24-19. Rob Foldy, US Presswire
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons (right) talks with referee Clete Blakeman (left) during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won the game 24-21. Steve Mitchell, US Presswire
Indianapolis Colts cheerleader Crystal Ann stands with the rest of her squad after getting her head shaved in support of Colts head coach Chuck Pagano before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Thomas J. Russo, US Presswire
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress (80) is unable to make a catch in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-14. Andrew Weber, US Presswire
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) hauls in a catch in front of Miami Dolphins defensive back R.J. Stanford (25) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium.The Dolphins won 24-21. Steve Mitchell, US Presswire
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel (99) sits on the field before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-14. David Richard, US Presswire
Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Falcons won 24-23. Kim Klement, US Presswire
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (80) looks to get around Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis (23) in the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 20-14. Andrew Weber, US Presswire
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) runs out onto the field with the team before the game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field.The Jaguars won 24-19. Rob Foldy, US Presswire
Chicago Bears punter Adam Podlesh (8) is congratulated by tackle Gabe Carimi (72) for scoring a two point conversion against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at Soldier Field. The Bears dominated the game, winning 28-10. Rob Grabowski, US Presswire
Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) reacts after he missed a field goal as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson (29) celebrates during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. The Falcons escaped with a 24-23 win. Kim Klement, US Presswire
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts won 20-13. Thomas J. Russo, US Presswire
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders mishandles a punt in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland. The Browns won 20-14. David Richard, US Presswire
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Leonard Johnson (29) and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) get the the face of each other after the Falcons scored a touchdown during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.The Falcons won 24-23. Kim Klement, US Presswire
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) is defended by Minnesota Vikings cornerback A.J. Jefferson (24) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. The Bears won 28-10. Rob Grabowski, US Presswire
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate makes a catch in front of Miami Dolphins defensive back R.J. Stanford during the first half in Miami. Miami won 24-21. Steve Mitchell, US Presswire
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (7) is pressured by Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) and linebacker Von Miller (58) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos won the game 17-9. John Rieger, US Presswire
Buffalo Bills kicker Rian Lindell (9) helps hold the American flag during the national anthem before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.The Colts won 20-13. Thomas J. Russo, US Presswire
Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme (84) catches a pass for a touchdown as Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) attempts the tackle in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium.The Broncos won the game 17-9. Denny Medley, US Presswire
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) catches a pass for a touchdown against Oakland Raiders cornerback Ron Bartell (21) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won the game 34-10. Frank Victores, US Presswire
Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.The Bears won 28-10. Dennis Wierzbicki, US Presswire
