Matthew Stafford continues his MVP charge, Shedeur Sanders makes his first start and Caleb Williams resumes his playoff march. We look ahead to Sunday in Week 12 of the NFL season...
It feels like Caleb Williams has been in the NFL for an age, such has been the unyielding spotlight, such has been the scrutiny and the fluctuating success in the face of the metaphorical alarm clock.
Football so often demands immediacy, particularly of a long-time consensus No 1 NFL Draft pick, particularly when it comes to a Chicago Bears organisation long-longing for direction. In reality, Williams is still just mid-way through his sophomore season, and still forging what Chicago is desperate to become a prosperous long-time marriage with first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
He will be the first to admit it hasn't been all glitter and marvel, but Williams has the Bears on course to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Chicago are 7-3 having won seven of their last eight to take top spot in the NFC North, with five of their victories coming by way of fourth-quarter comebacks. As a result, Williams now holds the franchise record for most single-season fourth-quarter comebacks by a quarterback, surpassing Jay Cutler.
It serves a sign of Bears resilience and a winners' resolve, but so too a warning sign of wins that could have been losses and why there is still a job to be done on the home stretch to January.
Williams recently welcomed the nickname 'Iceman' after Johnson described him as having 'ice in his veins' during Chicago's 24-20 comeback win over the New York Giants in Week 10. Johnson has started to dig into the cauldron of tricks that earned him a maiden head coach job, and moments of the magic that earned Williams No 1 spot in the Draft have been surfacing, Both, though, know there is a long way to go.
The former USC quarterback is 194 of 325 for 2,329 yards (13th), and 13 touchdowns to four interceptions, while rushing for 272 yards and three scores to put him on the path towards a career-year. He has also, though, seen his completion percentage slip to 59.7 having hit the 60 per cent mark just four times, while his passer rating has fallen marginally below 90 to 89.9 and his on-target pass percentage ranks second-worst, according to Pro Football Reference.
The Pittsburgh Steelers await next as one the most daunting pass rushes Williams has faced yet this season, sitting third in sacks, 11th in pressure rate and fourth in blitz percentage, and yet last in passing yards allowed per game.
"They've got some werewolves on the outside," said Bears coach Ben Johnson.
Williams' sack-escaping wizardry and off-script artistry has grown, and continues to grow, in prominence and impact from his rookie campaign, but accuracy inconsistencies are still to be ironed out. But he appears to be on his way.
Sentiment means little at this level, but there will be a special moment on Sunday as Williams gears up to face Aaron Rodgers, a man he idolised growing up.
"I think there are probably a couple quarterbacks in the world that have been able to spin the ball the way that he does," Williams said. "Growing up as a kid, when you find and realise how hard it is to play this position, you admire some of the things he's been able to do over this long career he's had."
Rodgers, whose availability is still unconfirmed due to a wrist injury, famously claimed he 'owned' the Bears during his time with the Green Bay Packers. The prospect of this being his final trip to Soldier Field serves as some added motivation.
"There's incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and Thursdays in that city," he said.
SportNews statistician - and Buffalo Bills fan - Benedict Bermange breaks down some of the key stats heading into Sunday...
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears - KO 6pm, SportNews NFL & Part Main Event
Darnell Washington told Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St Brown's podcast this week that he currently weighs 311lbs - 311LBS! It came on the back of the run of the week in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers tight end brutally stiff-arming one Cincinnati Bengals defender, steam-rolling a second and then head-butting a third as if he was the Juggernaut from the Marvel world. The Steelers sideline erupted, so too the world of NFL. Washington has had 18 catches this season, and no more than four in a game; Arthur Smith would be wise to utilise him more. For the purposes of polar bear-esque demolition, fans of all teams are pleading with him to.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers - KO 6pm, SportNews Football
How do you support a young quarterback enduring some turbulence? You call on a safe pair of hands in the backfield for a trip to Lambeau Field. Or, rather, a return to Lambeau Field for former Green Bay Packer running back Aaron Jones, who has rushed for 195 yards since returning from injury that kept him out for much of October. Green Bay have lost two of their last three as the definition of a team that plays to its opponent's level, good or bad. Jordan Love has all the talent to lead a Super Bowl charge; time for him and his frustrating offense to underline their threat and take control of the NFC North over the festive period.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Arizona Cardinals - KO 9.05pm, SportNews Football
The Jaguars believe. They have given themselves an opportunity to reach the playoffs for just the fifth time since the beginning of the century. Liam Coen's side delivered what they hope can prove a postseason resurgence last week when they humiliated the Los Angeles Chargers 35-6 to move to 6-4, with winnable matchups against the Cardinals and Titans to come. The running game was a staple of their success over the Chargers as they rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns, as well as converting five of six red zone opportunities. Long-lost efficiency must stay put, not to mention a cut down on penalties that saw them flagged just once for five yards in Week 11.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys - KO 9.25pm, SportNews NFL & Main Event
All eyes return to Philadelphia's rickety offense as it enters the week ranked fifth-worst in passing yards and 25th in total yards, while ranking fourth-worst in third down conversion rate. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has come under fire for his conservative approach, with a Philly defensive masterclass limiting the Detroit Lions to just nine points in last week's win. The dropback passing game remains an issue, but we have been here before when it comes to the champions, who continue to find ways to win. Trade acquisition Jaelan Phillips has emerged as an immediate difference-maker for Vic Fangio, with Dak Prescott in his sights next.
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints - KO 9.25pm, SportNews+ (stream)
The Atlanta Falcons begin their campaign to keep their playoff hopes alive after starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury requiring surgery. Kirk Cousins will take his place under center with the Falcons 3-7, riding a five-game losing streak and sitting third in the NFC South. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is looking for his second straight win for New Orleans after showing early signs of a strong rapport with Chris Olave in his win over the Falcons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams - KO 1.20am Monday morning, SportNews NFL & Main Event
Sean McVay's Los Angeles Rams have a case for being the best team in the NFL right now having just taken down the rampant Seattle Seahawks to move to 8-2 while boasting the league's sixth-best scoring offense and second-best scoring defense with one of football's most accomplished rosters. Matthew Stafford is in MVP form with 27 touchdown passes to just two interceptions, Puka Nacua is fourth in receiving yards and Davante Adams is ranked first in touchdown catches. It is difficult to see where the Rams can be hurt. Over to you, Baker Mayfield.
Cam Newton on the Patriots being top of the AFC East: "It has fool's gold written all over it. Cubic zirconia. Middle of the mall. And yes, is Drake Maye playing good football? ... Absolutely."
Patriots QB Drake Maye's response to Newton: "I don't even know what show he's on. I think they get paid to make remarks and make certain comments."
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy on his mixed from: "I kind of make the analogy of just a cork about to come off a bottle. I feel like it's really close."
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts on criticism of him: "I'm not surprised by anything. This is kind of the nature of the position."
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders ahead of first start: "I like pressure in life. I'm just excited for everything. So, I feel like I'm the guy. I know I'm the guy, but you just have to be able to see. The game got to speak."
Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles continue to face scrutiny despite remaining on course in the defense of their Super Bowl crown.
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"I think that female flag football players are going to be the icons of LA 2028, it's happening."
Meet Samuel Oram-Jones, the old team-mate of George Russell and Max Verstappen who left racing and built an American football career spanning Nashville, Tokyo, Prague and Berlin.
Gabi Bankhardt is Samba. She is Bossa Nova. She is Christ the Redeemer and she is Carnival. She is the favelas. She is churrasco and she is Copacabana. She is mutirao.
Meet the face of Brazilian Flag Football inspiring the next generation of Latin American boys and girls.
Benson Jerry. The kid with the fancy footwork. The kid who borrowed 30p for the bus. The kid who had never tried lasagne. The kid who had never flown. The no-longer-a-kid becoming the inspiration kids like him never had.
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