Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Best Moments from NFL the Twelfth Week
Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they continue their winning run.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his debut professional outing to earn the starting job in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down against the defending championship winners, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest recovery ever?
The emotions of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s determination and a defence that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Eagles.
Dak surpassed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an all-action display – his diving score personifying his all-action showing.
Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time after 1999, with just their second game with several giveaways this year – the previous being a disappointing NFC East defeat at the Giants.
Along with fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense derailed dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a major concern, as the components are all there but it's just not clicking.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there may be trouble ahead.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period against a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and could have just rescued their season.
How big was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a 58% chance of making the playoffs, whereas a loss on the weekend would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and leading 3 point-scoring drives in their final four possessions to win it in extra time.
Some big throws and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference standings.
This was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a first close victory of the year after losing 5 already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.
Discussion – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?
You just can't overlook the Bears now. A win over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at eight and three – sharing the same record as the Philadelphia.
They look dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.
He may still be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally passed for three scores and, with already 5 final period comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.
Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how good they really are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store
It appears among the most exciting Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game packed with postseason implications.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual visit return to Texas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
Sunday's comeback teams are each holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little margin for error – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut NFL outing to keep the first-team job when Gabriel returns.
But the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his debut NFL game since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other first-year quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost feral Browns defense recording 10 sacks, but the Browns’ offense needs a leader, a figurehead to build belief.
Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Sanders, who told a CBS {