Philly Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Top Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week
Week 12 delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season as the Bears continue to surprise as they extend their winning run.
Did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first NFL start to secure the starting job in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the league.
The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero down against the reigning Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest recovery in history?
The emotions of a initial home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland untimely death could have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an dynamic performance – his diving touchdown embodying his energetic display.
Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being another disappointing NFC East defeat at the Giants.
In addition to fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in four games before the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's just not working.
Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offense there is manages just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there could be problems ahead.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Chiefs
It wasn’t as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the final period against a powerful Colts squad was very impressive – and may have only rescued their campaign.
How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the playoff form of Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and leading 3 point-scoring possessions in their last four series to seal it in overtime.
A few big passes and daring runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and only tenth in the conference rankings.
That was more like the old Kansas City however, with a first one-score win of the year after losing 5 already – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the North?
You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Eagles.
They appear dangerous on each side of the field, with a defence that tops the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to winning tight games.
He can at times be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also threw three touchdowns and, with already five final period rallies this season, he knows how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are right there after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Prospect
This looks among the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game packed with playoff consequences.
The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a rare visit return to Texas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
The weekend’s rally kings are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them leading of the AFC North after beginning one and five and looking dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel comes back.
Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut NFL start since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defense getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offence requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire belief.
And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {