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NFL 2021: Grades, aftermath for teams coming off Week 12 bye

By Russell S. Baxter

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 21: James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 21: James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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The 2021 NFL season is on the verge of heading down the stretch. And division leaders Arizona and Kansas City had Week 12 off.

The NFL’s longest season is nearly two-thirds over as most clubs still have six games to play. The AFC still has a dozen teams with .500 or better records. The NFC is still a little top-heavy and many of its playoff contenders had a rough Thanksgiving or Sunday. And once again, there were only two teams off in Week 12 – the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) and the club with the best record in the NFL in the Arizona Cardinals (9-2).

As the Cardinals and Chiefs get ready to get back on the field, what kind of grades have these teams earned after 11 contests? The former started strong and has been very consistent while Andy Reid’s club has bounced back after a shaky start.

NFL 2021: Grades for teams coming off Week 12 Bye

Arizona Cardinals (9-2)

Who would have thought that after 12 weeks that Kliff Kingsbury’s team would own the best record in the league? The Cardinals have done it on both sides of the ball, getting solid play from quarterback Kyler Murray and an effective offense as well as a defensive unit spearheaded by pass rushers Markus Golden and Chandler Jones.

Colt McCoy filled in for Murray for three starts and the Cards responded. This has been the NFL’s most consistent team.

Grade: A

Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)

The reigning AFC champions are hoping they have found that defensive magic that catapulted the team to a strong finish in 2019 and eventually led to a Super Bowl championship. When last we saw the Chiefs, they were limiting the Cowboys to three field goals. Andy Reid’s team has won four straight games and has looked better as of late. But Patrick Mahomes and pals continue to be a little careless with the ball. The team’s turnover total stands at 22.

Grade: B

Aftermath for teams on a Week 12 bye

The 7-4 Chiefs own a one-game lead over every other team in the AFC West. On Thanksgiving afternoon at Dallas, the Raiders came away with a wild 36-33 overtime victory at Dallas. On Sunday, the Denver Broncos surprised Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, 28-13.

Meanwhile, the 9-2 Cardinals now own a full two-game lead over the Rams. Los Angeles went to Lambeau Field and fell to the Packers, 36-28. Meanwhile, Kyle Shanahan’s club won its third straight game via a 34-26 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. And on Monday night, the defending NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks fell at Washington, 17-15.

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