Sunday NFL Notes: Carroll’s Struggles, Tagovailoa’s Troubles, and a Wild Week of Drama Across the League
With just three weeks left in the regular season, the NFL playoff picture is heating up - but for some teams, the focus has already shifted to survival mode. From coaching uncertainty in Las Vegas to quarterback questions in Miami, here’s what’s making headlines as we head into the final stretch.
Pete Carroll Faces Harsh Reality in Las Vegas
Pete Carroll isn’t coaching like a man on the hot seat - at least not outwardly. The veteran coach, in his first year leading the Raiders, says he doesn’t feel like he’s fighting for his job. But with a 2-12 record heading into Sunday’s matchup against Houston, the results speak for themselves.
“Blindly optimistic as I am, I thought we would come in here and we would have a big factor on this club and we would be able to find success that we would be proud of,” Carroll said earlier this week. “And right now, it doesn’t feel like that.”
It’s been a tough campaign from the jump. Almost nothing has gone according to plan for Carroll’s Raiders.
The offense has sputtered, the defense hasn’t held up, and the team has struggled to find any rhythm or identity. For a coach known for his energy and culture-building, this season has been a humbling reminder that even the most experienced leaders can run into brick walls in the NFL.
And Carroll’s not alone. Over the past four seasons, a staggering 30 head coaches have been fired - including seven just last year.
This season, two teams have already made early moves: the Titans parted ways with Brian Callahan, and the Giants made a surprising decision to move on from Brian Daboll before the season’s end. Whether Carroll joins that list remains to be seen, but the pressure is undeniably mounting.
Dolphins’ Dilemma: Tagovailoa’s Big Numbers, Bigger Concerns
The Dolphins are still in the playoff mix, but there’s a growing cloud hovering over Miami - and it centers around Tua Tagovailoa.
Yes, the stats look solid on paper. But dig a little deeper, and the cracks start to show.
The decision-making has been inconsistent, and the turnovers are becoming harder to ignore. In the high-stakes world of December football, mistakes get magnified - and Miami’s margin for error is shrinking fast.
There’s no denying Tagovailoa’s talent. But as the Dolphins gear up for a potential postseason run, they’ll need more than flashy box scores. They need their quarterback to protect the football, command the offense, and show he can elevate the team when it matters most.
Thursday Night Fireworks: A Finish to Remember
If you missed Thursday Night Football, you missed a wild one.
The game delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, with late-game heroics, momentum swings, and a final sequence that had fans on the edge of their seats. It was a reminder - in case we needed one - that no lead is safe and no outcome is certain in this league.
Aiyuk’s Absence Felt in Costly Loss
When a team loses a close game, it’s often the little things that make the difference - and this week, Brandon Aiyuk’s no-show loomed large.
Whether it was due to injury, game plan, or just a rough outing, Aiyuk’s limited impact left a noticeable void in the offense. For a player who’s been a reliable weapon all year, the timing couldn’t have been worse. And in a game where every possession mattered, his quiet night proved costly.
Note to All: Don’t Mess with a Motorcade
One of the more bizarre moments of the week came off the field, involving a motorcade incident that reminded everyone - players, coaches, and fans alike - that the NFL never runs short on drama. Details are still emerging, but it’s safe to say it was the kind of distraction no team wants this late in the season.
Looking Ahead: Patriots Face Crucial Test Against Ravens
Last week was big. This week? Even bigger.
The Patriots are gearing up for what might be their most important game of the season - a high-stakes clash with the Ravens that could define their playoff hopes. With both teams fighting for positioning, expect a physical, chess-match-type battle from two franchises that know how to win in December.
Final Thoughts: Big Numbers, Bigger Questions
As we head into the final stretch, one thing is clear: stats don’t always tell the full story.
Yes, there are quarterbacks putting up gaudy numbers, and yes, some teams are still technically in the hunt. But decision-making, momentum, and execution in crunch time are what separate contenders from pretenders.
The next three weeks will tell us a lot - about coaches trying to keep their jobs, quarterbacks trying to prove they can lead, and teams trying to find that extra gear when it matters most.
Buckle up. December football is here, and the drama is just getting started.