Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12
Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Eagles collapse?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season as the Bears continue to impress while they continue their winning run.
And did Sanders do sufficiently on his first NFL start to earn the full-time role in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down against the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest recovery ever?
Sentiment of a first home fixture after a teammate’s tragic death may have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Philadelphia.
Dak surpassed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his diving score personifying his energetic showing.
Philly wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the other being a bad division loss at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had more than one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Dallas.
However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a major concern, as the components are all there but it's just not working.
Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble ahead.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Chiefs
It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Indianapolis team was very notable – and could have only saved their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of making the playoffs, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the playoff form of Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading three point-scoring possessions in their last four possessions to seal it in extra time.
Some big passes and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff form – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference standings.
That was more like the former Chiefs though, with a initial close win of the season after dropping 5 already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Kings of the North?
You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the same record as the Eagles.
They look threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the league in picks and total takeaways and, in Williams, a emerging player now used to securing close games.
He can at times be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he also threw three scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after beating the New York in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most consistent with 8 victories in nine, but as they visit the championship winners on the holiday we'll discover exactly how good they truly are.
Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Store
This looks one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for years, with every game loaded with postseason implications.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a rare trip return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
The weekend’s rally teams are each holding on to playoff hopes but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first NFL start to keep the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
But the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his first NFL start after Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It was only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Browns defence recording ten tackles, but Cleveland's offence requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire belief.
Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {