Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Best Highlights from NFL Week 12

The twelfth week delivered an epic Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Eagles implosion?

Postseason Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears keep to surprise as they extend their victorious run.

And did Shedeur Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL start to earn the starting role in Cleveland?

Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the league.

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at 21-0 down versus the defending championship champions, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?

Sentiment of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing could have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.

Prescott eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving touchdown embodying his all-action display.

Philadelphia wasted a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the previous being another bad division defeat at the New York.

In addition to 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not working.

Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the big situations, the defense maintains 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 could be problems ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Early to Save Kansas City

It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis team was hugely notable – and could have just rescued their season.

How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on the weekend would have reduced that figure to 28%.

No wonder the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading 3 scoring drives in their last four series to win it in overtime.

A few huge throws and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in playoff form – at six and five and just 10th in the AFC rankings.

That was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a initial close victory of the year after dropping five previously – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done so soon.

Talking Point – Can Bears Be Rulers of the Division?

You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions 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 turnover in his team’s end zone – but he also threw 3 scores and, with already five final period comebacks this year, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most consistent with eight wins in nine, but as they visit the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how good they really are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

This looks among the best holiday line-ups for years, with every game packed with playoff consequences.

The Lions host the Green Bay in the classic opener in Michigan, before a rare visit return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback teams are both clinging to postseason hopes but have very little room for error – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets in fact has them top of the division after starting one and five and looking finished.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional outing to keep the first-team position when Gabriel returns.

Yet the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to win his first league game after Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly feral Browns defense getting 10 sacks, but the Browns’ offense needs a director, a presence to inspire belief.

Moreover self-belief is something not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {

Abigail Rose
Abigail Rose

A seasoned strategist and writer passionate about sharing winning techniques and motivational advice to help readers succeed.

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