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Updated NFL standings, Week 12: Bears, Texans, Steelers build leads

By Russell S. Baxter

JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers dives for the go-ahead touchdown as other Steelers celebrate during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 18, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers dives for the go-ahead touchdown as other Steelers celebrate during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 18, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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There’s quite the clash between two-first place teams on Monday night. Meanwhile, the other division leaders on Sunday were moving a bit closer to titles.

There is just one game and six weeks remaining in the 2018 NFL season. And the Monday night clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum between the 9-1 Kansas City Chiefs and 9-1 Rams could wind up being something special.

As for Week 11, we saw 10 of the 12 games played so far decided by single digits. There were three teams that won on the final play of the game via field goals. And there was a big-time comeback by Ben Roethlisberger and company at Jacksonville.

It all added up to another intriguing chapter in the league’s latest season. And there’s still an awfully long way to go.

AFC East: Back in Week 10, every team in the division lost with the exception of the Buffalo Bills. This past week, all four clubs in the AFC East were off. This Sunday, the New York Jets host the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins travel to Indianapolis and the Bills host the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars.

AFC North: The first-place Pittsburgh Steelers trailed at Jacksonville, 16-0, in the third quarter before rallying for a 20-16 win. Mike Tomlin’s team won its sixth consecutive game and now owns a two-and-a-half game lead over both the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. The latter ended a three-game losing streak by beating Marvin Lewis’ club, 24-21. The 3-6-1 Cleveland Browns had the week off.

AFC South: Once again, the Houston Texans managed a two-point road win, this time at Washington, and Bill O’Brien’s club extended its winning streak to seven games. The Indianapolis Colts continued their hot streak by rolling to a fourth consecutive victory – humbling the visiting Tennessee Titans, 38-10. And the defending ASFC South champion Jaguars sunk further into the division basement after squandering a 16-0 third-quarter lead vs. the Steelers.

AFC West: Monday night’s clash with the Rams at Los Angeles gives the Chiefs a chance to extend its lead in the AFC West with a win. Andy Reid’s club has won four straight games and another victory will give the team as many regular-season victories as they had in 2017. The Chargers were cooled off at home by the Denver Broncos, 23-22. Vance Joseph’s club won with a field goal on the final play of the game, as was the case for the Oakland Raiders (23-21) at Arizona.

NFC East: The Washington Redskins fell at home for the third time this season. And not only did the team fall to the Houston Texans, quarterback Alex Smith went down for the rest of the year with a broken leg. The Dallas Cowboys won on the road for the second straight week, prevailing at the gun at Atlanta, 22-19. While the New York Giants held off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 38-35, the Eagles were embarrassed at the Superdome by the Saints, 48-7.

NFC North: A year ago, the Bears finished last in the NFC North for the fourth straight season and managed only five wins. Just 11 weeks into 2018, the team is 7-3 and riding a four-game winning streak after pushing around the Minnesota Vikings, 25-20. The Green Bay Packers remained winless on the road this season (0-5) after losing at Seattle on Thursday night. And the Lions surprised the visiting Carolina Panthers, 20-19.

NFC South: For the third consecutive week, the New Orleans Saints put at least 45 points on the board. And for the second straight week, the other three teams in the NFC South all fell short of a win. Sean Payton’s club embarrassed the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, 48-7. Meanwhile, the Falcons (22-19), Panthers (20-19) and Buccaneers (38-35) lost to the Cowboys, Lions and Giants, respectively, by a combined seven points.

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NFC West: On Thursday night at home, the Seattle Seahawks rallied for a 27-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Pete Carroll’s club has now won five of its last eight games after a 0-2 start. The Cardinals appeared ready to get their third victory of the season but fell in the final seconds to the visiting Raiders, 23-21. While the Rams will host the Chiefs tonight, the 2-8 San Francisco 49ers had the week off.

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