Week 12 winners: Steelers offense comes alive, Jalen Hurts claims another win

Steelers offense: In the first game of the post-Matt Canada era, the Steelers thrived in Week 12 behind interim offensive coordinator Teryl Austin and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling plays. In the Steelers 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the offense surpassed 400 yards (421) for the first time in 59 games, snapping the longest active streak in the NFL. 

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett looked sharp, completing 24-of-33 passes for a season-high 278 passing yards. Meanwhile, running back Najee Harris (99 rushing yards, one touchdown) and tight end Pat Freiermuth (nine catches, 120 receiving yards) had by far their best games of the 2024 campaign. 

Pittsburgh still managed only 16 points, so the issues plaguing their offense still aren't entirely in the rearview. However, Sunday's win over the rival Bengals was a start. 

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end: By his standards, Kelce had a solid day in the Chiefs' 31-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12. He recorded six catches for 91 yards (15.2 YPC), but in doing so, he also made franchise and NFL history. 

Kelce became the first player in Chiefs history to surpass 11,000 career receiving yards. Meanwhile, he's the fastest tight end to reach 11,000 yards in league history (154 games) and the 17th fastest among any position, per the Chiefs communications department. 

Kelce's performance in Week 12 should be a welcome sign for the Chiefs and QB Patrick Mahomes. Over the last three games, defenses had slowed Kelce a bit, holding him to an average of 39 yards and five receptions. 

Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons running back: The Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 24-15 in Week 12 and are in first in the NFC South, largely thanks to a big day from their rookie RB. Robinson rushed for 91 yards off 16 carries and caught three passes for 32 receiving yards while recording touchdowns on the ground and through the air. 

Falcons fans have waited awhile for HC Arthur Smith to unleash the versatile Robinson fully, and he didn't disappoint. Robinson joins former RB Lynn Cain (1979) as the only other Falcon to post a game with rushing and receiving touchdowns as a rookie. 

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers quarterback: Love produced his first big-time victory in Week 12, helping the Packers topple the first-place Detroit Lions 29-22 on Thanksgiving Day. The first-year starter finished 22-of-32 for 268 yards, throwing three touchdowns and zero interceptions. 

Meanwhile, he did all this against the Lions without two of his top weapons, running back Aaron Jones (knee) and tight end Luke Musgrave (abdomen), who were out with injuries. 

Love's performance against the Lions is an excellent sign for the Packers. Not only did Love thrive seeing a team for the second time, but he led Green Bay to their second consecutive victory and third in four games. 

At 5-6, there's still a long way to go before the Packers can think about the postseason. However, if Love's play continues to improve as it has weekly, the sky might be the limit.

DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys cornerback: Bland set an NFL record on Thanksgiving Day, recording his fifth interception return for a touchdown on the year in a beatdown of the rival Washington Commanders, 45-10. With 4:39 left in the fourth quarter, Bland stepped in front of a pass from QB Sam Howell, returning it 63 yards for six points and the historic mark. 

Through 12 weeks, Bland leads the NFL with six total interceptions and has more touchdowns than teammates RB Tony Pollard (four), WR Brandin Cooks and TE Jake Ferguson, while only WR CeeDee Lamb (seven) has more. 

Meanwhile, Bland is only four pick-sixes away from tying the single-season team record of nine held by the 1961 San Diego Chargers with six games still to go. 

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins wide receivers: Hill and Waddle shined against the New York Jets pass defense, which entered the week ranked fifth in the NFL. Hill finished with nine receptions, 102 receiving yards and a touchdown, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the seventh time this season and fifth time since Week 5. 

Meanwhile, Waddle had eight catches for 114 yards, his second game of 100 or more yards. The duo are the first wideout pair in 2023 to record multiple 100-yard outings in the same game. 

Hill and Waddle have emerged as one of the league's most dangerous wide receiver combos in the Dolphins dynamic, quick-hitting offense led by QB Tua Tagovailoa. 

According to Next Gen Stats, Hill and Tagovailoa have connected 15 times on quick passes (2.5 seconds or less) of 10 air yards or more, an NFL best. The second-best duo? Tagovailoa and Waddle with 10.