Five Wide: 2025 Week Twelve

By Thomas Willoughby

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. The MIGHTY Atlanta Falcons snapped their five game losing streak to see off the New Orleans Saints, and regain control in, what is, the greatest rivalry in the NFL. Falcons lead 57-56 in the series. And, just about, keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

But this weekend was about the rivalry, and my God do we hate each other. It was a bit more muted than usual this week, mainly because both sides are comically awful. But, when push came to shove, Kirk Cousins trucking Justin Reid on the sideline injected a bit of fire into the affair.

You can keep your Bears/Packers or Eagles/Cowboys. Small fry. If you want actual real hatred, Falcons/Saints is where it’s at. Tune in on Week 18 for round 2 if you don’t believe me. It’s gonna be gross. Anyway, here’s some actual football.

Shedeur Happy People

Congratulations to Shedeur Sanders, who’s become the latest rookie QB to get his first win in the NFL. He becomes the first Cleveland Browns quarterback since Dillon Gabriel, if you can believe that, to win a game in the NFL. Unprecedented.

Ok so Sanders did actually write himself into NFL history. He became the first Cleveland Browns quarterback since Eric Zeier in 1995 to win on his first start. Until Sunday, the Browns were 0-17 when playing a QB making his first start. Basically, Shedeur is the greatest thing to happen to the Browns as an organization, and it’s pure luck he’s even playing for them.

He looked pretty good, too. He had a nice 52 yard pass in the first half that deserved to be tied to 6 points. All this is caveated by the fact they were playing the Raiders (more on them in a bit), but it was enough to galvanise a struggling franchise a bit. Sanders has been named the Browns’ starting QB for the next week, despite Dillon clearing concussion protocol, and will make his first home start against the 49ers. Good luck, kid.

Go, Garrett, Go

A great day for the Browns, who enjoyed TWO pieces of history. Myles Garrett! An utterly unbelievable football player! He broke the Cleveland Browns’ single season sack record on Sunday, taking his total for the year to 18. He’s only played 11 games! Oh, and did I mention that the previous record was owned by Garrett himself? Absolutely stupid.

Now’s time for Garrett to truly write his name among the all timers. Over the next 6 games, Garrett needs just 5 sacks to break the current league-wide single season sack record. Both Michael Strahan and TJ Watt hit 22.5 in 2001 and 2021 respectively. The Browns face the 49ers, Titans, Bears, Bills, Steelers, and Bengals over the next 6 weeks. Knowing Garrett, he could break the record on Sunday and get it out the way. I’m excited to see him try, man. What a player.

Oh My God, They Killed Kelly

Now, hands up if you know that Chip Kelly was employed by an NFL team this season? No? Me neither! Monday’s news that Kelly had been relieved of his duties as the Las Vegas Raiders’ Offensive Coordinator following an abysmal start to the season. The Raiders sit 2-9 and are going nowhere, slowly. The most concerning thing about their season so far is their general lack of offensive production. They’re joint last in points scored, sat next to the Saints on 165 points. Horrid.

Adding insult to injury is the fact they’d given him a $6 million a year contract. He was the highest paid OC in the league! Kelly’s NFL career until now has been rocky (to put it kindly). A fine stine in Philadelphia ended with his firing with the team sat at 6-9 in 2015. He jumped to the 49ers in 2016, and jumped straight back out after a 2-14 2016. He’s been out of the league since.

Taking over playcalling duties will be Greg Olson (not that one), as the Raiders try to pick the pieces up after another lost season. Chargers, Broncos, and Eagles make up their next 3. It’s gonna get worse before it gets better for Vegas.

Kitwatch 2025: Part VIII

A second alternate uniform hit the Houston field, with the Texans donning their “Battle Red” gear. All red everything. They apparently wore this combo in a 28-23 defeat to the Lions last season, so fair play to them for giving it another crack. I’m not so hot on them. I like the horns on each side of the helmet, but I really don’t vibe with these. Far too “Color Rush” coded for my liking.

Philadelphia brought out their Kelly Green unis for the second time this season. Full breakdown back in week eight, but does anyone know why the Cowboys wear white as their primaries? It’s iconic, don’t get me wrong, but there must be a reason for it. A rare moment of praise for the New Orleans Saints, who wore a black helmet this weekend. Didn’t help them at all, but I did think the combo was quite nice.

I’m not sure what the Lions were thinking, either. These black alternate jerseys aren’t it. The Honolulu blue is a classic, and I appreciate trying to incorporate it into something a bit different, but it looks like a concept jersey at best, and an extreme knockoff you’d find in a market on holiday at worst. Pure Madden fodder. Rubbish, and rounds off a bad week for kits.

Patince Wearing McThin

How much time do we give a young player to acclimatise to the league before we start to ask real questions over whether they’re capable of doing it or not? I ask this because we’ve a 22 year old quarterback out there right now in his first full season as a starter absolutely stinking the joint out…and I think I’m ready to call it. J.J. McCarthy, I’ve gotta start seeing something different, man. This isn’t good.

J.J. McCarthy now ranks 851 out of 852 in EPA per Dropback among qualified passers since 2000, per Tru Media. The only player below McCarthy is JaMarcus Russell.

h/t @Danny_Heifetz on that other website
— Anthony Amico (@amicsta) November 24, 2025

I struggle to even think of excuses for him. He’s got a great receiver room, and is working under the QB guy. Kevin O’Connell’s there are three veteran quarterbacks starting in the league for other teams whose last HC was O’Connell (Cousins, Darnold, Jones). That’s not a mistake. Sure, the Vikings O-Line is a bit spotty at the moment, but the deck is stacked in McCarthy’s favour.

So why am I seeing him flat out missing Justin Jefferson? Why am I seeing him fail to get more than 100 passing yards in a game? This is where my initial question comes in; McCarthy’s 2024 was lost due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. He’s simultaneously trying to get comfortable with playing professionally, while also trying to get comfortable with playing full stop. That’s a tough spot for anyone, but especially one who works in the toughest division in the NFL right now.

I dunno man. I guess the best plan would be to bring in serious competition for him next off-season and have him battle it through camp. McCarthy’s career is 6 games old, it’s not like the story is written completely. But the early signs aren’t looking good. Tough stuff.

Features Image Credit: John Gunter-Cleveland.com

THOMAS IS A WRITER, AND REGULAR GUEST ON THE TOUCHDOWN REVIEW SHOW PODCAST, FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. YOU CAN FIND HIM @WILLO290592 ON TWITTER

Rated 5 out of 5