Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL the Twelfth Week
Week 12 provided an incredible Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles collapse?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Kansas City's season while the Bears continue to surprise as they continue their winning run.
And did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his first professional outing to secure the full-time role in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the best of the action in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
Dallas found themselves down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning championship winners, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback ever?
The emotions of a first home game since a teammate’s untimely passing could have played a part, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Prescott surpassed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his diving score embodying his energetic display.
Philly squandered a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the first time since 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the previous being another disappointing NFC East defeat at the Giants.
In addition to fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the attacking struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a fumble giving chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a huge concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is does barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there could be trouble ahead.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period against a strong Colts squad was very impressive – and could have only rescued their campaign.
How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% probability of making the postseason, when a loss on Sunday would have reduced that figure to 28%.
It’s no surprise the playoff version of Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and guiding 3 scoring possessions in their final 4 possessions to seal it in overtime.
Some big passes and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only tenth in the AFC standings.
That was more like the former Chiefs though, with a first one-score win of the year after losing five previously – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be done so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the Division?
You can no longer overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the identical standing as the Eagles.
They appear dangerous on each side of the field, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning close games.
He may at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also passed for three scores and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how strong they truly are.
Preview – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store
It appears one of the most exciting holiday line-ups for a long time, with every game packed with playoff implications.
The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.
The weekend’s comeback kings are each holding on to playoff hopes but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
What 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 dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
But the question will keep being asked as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his first NFL game since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It came just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly feral Browns defence getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence requires a leader, a presence to inspire belief.
And confidence is something not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {