Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week
Week 12 delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Mahomes showed up to salvage the Kansas City's campaign while the Chicago Bears continue to surprise while they continue their winning streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his first professional start to earn the starting role in Ohio?
Let's take a look at the best of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys were down and out at twenty-one to zero down against the reigning Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home fixture after a teammate’s tragic death may have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Eagles.
Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his diving score embodying his energetic display.
Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several giveaways this year – the other being another bad NFC East loss at the New York.
In addition to fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence derailed dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a huge worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be problems ahead.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a powerful Indianapolis squad was very impressive – and may have only saved their season.
How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that number to 28%.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final 4 series to win it in extra time.
Some big passes and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and only 10th in the AFC rankings.
That was more like the former Chiefs however, with a first one-score victory of the year after losing five previously – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?
You can no longer overlook the Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – sharing the identical standing as the Eagles.
They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the league in picks and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now used to securing tight games.
He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this year, he knows how to finish the game.
Green Bay are in close chase in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most consistent with 8 victories in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on Thanksgiving we'll discover just how good they really are.
Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect
It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game loaded with postseason implications.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the classic opener in Detroit, prior to a rare visit return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
Sunday's comeback kings are both clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff feel.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York in fact has them top of the division after starting 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut professional start to keep the starting position when Gabriel returns.
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 seventeen other rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It came just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an almost feral Cleveland defense getting 10 sacks, but the Browns’ offence needs a director, a figurehead to build belief.
And confidence is something not lacking in Sanders, who told a CBS {