Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Highlights from National Football League the Twelfth Week
Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' season while the Bears keep to impress while they extend their winning streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his debut professional start to secure the starting role in Ohio?
Let's take a look at the best of the action in the NFL.
The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down against the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home game since a teammate’s tragic passing could have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving score personifying his energetic showing.
Philly wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time since nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with several turnovers this season – the other being another disappointing division loss at the Giants.
In addition to fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a huge worry, as the components are all there but it's just not working.
Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the key moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is does just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be problems in the future.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't quite as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and could have just rescued their season.
How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the playoffs, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the playoff version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 scoring drives in their last four series to seal it in overtime.
A few huge passes and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in playoff form – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference rankings.
That was more like the former Kansas City however, with a first close win of the season after dropping five already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.
Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?
You just can't overlook the Bears now. A win over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the identical record as the Philadelphia.
They look dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defence that tops the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to securing tight games.
He may still be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his own goal area – but he also threw three scores and, with already five final period comebacks this year, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot chase in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 victories in nine, but as they travel to the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how strong they truly are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect
It appears one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game packed with playoff consequences.
Detroit host the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a unusual trip return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.
Sunday's rally kings are each holding on to postseason hopes but have very little room for error – so this will have a post-season feel.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets actually has them leading of the division after starting 1-5 and looking finished.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his debut professional outing to maintain the starting job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
But the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut league game after Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It was just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost aggressive Cleveland defence getting 10 sacks, but the Browns’ offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
And confidence is something not missing in Shedeur, who informed a network {