Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Best Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's season while the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they continue their victorious run.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL outing to secure the full-time job in Ohio?
Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down against the defending championship winners, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best recovery ever?
The emotions of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland untimely death could have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.
Dak surpassed Tony Romo records for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his energetic showing.
Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the previous being another bad NFC East defeat at the New York.
In addition to 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was significant. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in four games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble giving chance after opportunity to the Dallas.
The Eagles defence is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the key moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is does just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be problems ahead.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Early to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period against a powerful Colts team was very impressive – and may have just saved their campaign.
How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure to 28%.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and leading 3 scoring possessions in their final 4 series to seal it in overtime.
A few huge passes and daring scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the AFC standings.
This was more like the old Chiefs however, with a first close win of the season after losing 5 previously – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be done so soon.
Discussion – Can Bears Become Rulers of the North?
You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Eagles.
They appear dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young player now accustomed to winning close games.
He can at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he additionally passed for three scores and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with eight victories in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover just how strong they truly are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect
It appears among the most exciting holiday schedules for years, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.
The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a unusual trip return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.
Sunday's rally kings are both clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them leading of the AFC North after beginning one and five and looking dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his debut professional start to maintain the starting job when Gabriel comes back.
But the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his first league start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.
It came just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offense requires a leader, a presence to inspire confidence.
And self-belief is something not missing in Sanders, who told a network {