Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Best Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week
Week 12 provided an epic Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Eagles collapse?
Playoff Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they continue their victorious run.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his first professional outing to secure the starting role in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero down versus the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest comeback ever?
The emotions of a first home game since a teammate’s tragic death may have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.
Prescott eclipsed Romo’s marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown embodying his all-action showing.
Philly wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the other being a disappointing NFC East loss at the Giants.
In addition to fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.
However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a huge worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offense there is does barely sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there could be trouble ahead.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Save Kansas City
It wasn’t as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Colts team was hugely notable – and could have just rescued their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that figure to 28%.
It’s no surprise the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final 4 series to win it in overtime.
A few big throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season form – at six and five and just 10th in the conference standings.
That was more like the old Kansas City however, with a initial one-score win of the year after dropping five previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be done so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the North?
You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.
They look dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to securing tight games.
He may still be inconsistent, giving away a score after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also threw 3 touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are right there after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are interestingly the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they really are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Store
This looks one of the best holiday schedules for years, with every game packed with playoff implications.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a rare visit return to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
Sunday's rally kings are each clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
What about the Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and looking finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his first NFL outing to maintain the first-team position when Gabriel comes back.
Yet the question will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to secure his debut league start after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.
It came only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Cleveland defence recording ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence needs a leader, a presence to build confidence.
And confidence is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who informed a network {