Each week is hard when attempting to establish potential NFL upsets.
Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season may be harder than most.
Because of some video games between evenly-matched groups, and some potential blowouts on paper, our writers right here at SB Nation struggled to pick some potential upsets for this week.
However alas, we forge on. Listed here are 4 potential upsets for Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season.
New York Giants (+6) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mark Schofield
That sound you hear?
That’s the sound of Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito returning to the beginning lineup for the New York Giants.
A 12 months in the past DeVito stepped into the beginning lineup for an injured Daniel Jones and never solely sparked the Giants offense, however he captured the eye of your entire league. Now, with Jones struggling — and a $23 million damage assure maybe forcing the workforce’s hand — the Giants are turning to DeVito as soon as extra.
Can he provide improved play from the pocket from New York? Maybe. Can he ship one other spark for the Giants this season? Completely. Will or not it’s sustainable? In all probability not.
But it surely may be sufficient for one week not less than.
Chicago Bears (+3.5) over Minnesota Vikings — JP Acosta
After the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Bears’ rookie QB Caleb Williams and the Chicago offense regarded much more fluid and performed with far more power than earlier weeks. Regardless of having an enormous problem towards a Vikings’ protection that prides itself on making life hell for rookie QBs, I feel Williams is leaning extra into the out of construction performs that would result in some explosives towards this workforce.
On the opposite facet, I feel this Bears’ protection can drive Sam Darnold into some errors. Since their week seven loss to Detroit, Minnesota is twentieth in offensive EPA per play and 14th in Success Charge, down from a blistering begin to the season. With a ferocious entrance 4 I feel the Bears can fluster Darnold just a little bit.
The offense nonetheless may be a piece in progress, however I consider in Williams’ potential to have some optimistic volatility, bringing an upset to the Windy Metropolis.
Carolina Panthers (+11) over Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — James Dator
Belief me, I do know this sounds just like the dumbest choose on the planet — however +11 factors at house is a frankly silly unfold. Kansas Metropolis has solely gained one recreation by 11 or extra factors, and that got here in Week 5 towards the New Orleans Saints.
This season has been marred by the Chiefs taking part in right down to their opponent’s stage, and on the opposite facet of the ball the Panthers have been taking part in significantly better soccer of late. Add in the truth that Adam Thielen is again from damage, including to a proficient younger receiving corps — and that second spherical rookie operating again Jonathan Brooks is making his debut for the Panthers, and there’s an actual likelihood right here that the sport could possibly be nearer than anybody expects.
I’m not saying Carolina wins this one, however I do suppose it could possibly be very shut. This has all of the options of a lure recreation for the Chiefs, who’re undoubtably waiting for Week 14 once they face the Chargers.