Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Best Highlights from National Football League Week 12
Week 12 provided an epic Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Eagles implosion?
Postseason Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they continue their victorious run.
And did Sanders do enough on his debut NFL start to secure the full-time role in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?
Dallas found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind versus the reigning Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home fixture after a teammate’s untimely death may have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare mistakes 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 all-action performance – his diving score personifying his all-action display.
Philadelphia wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with just their second game with several giveaways this year – the other being another bad NFC East defeat at the New York.
In addition to 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after chance to the Dallas.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of seven games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is manages just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble in the future.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Save Kansas City
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the final period versus a strong Colts team was hugely impressive – and could have just rescued their season.
How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, when a loss on the weekend would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the playoff form of Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding three scoring possessions in their last four series to win it in extra time.
A few big passes and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season form – at 6-5 and just tenth in the AFC rankings.
That was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a initial one-score win of the year after losing 5 previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the North?
You just can't ignore the Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them top of the division and at 8-3 – holding the identical record as the Eagles.
They appear threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to securing close games.
He can still be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own end zone – but he additionally threw 3 touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with eight victories in 9, but as they visit the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they really are.
Preview – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store
This looks among the most exciting holiday line-ups for years, with every game packed with postseason implications.
Detroit host the Packers in the classic opener in Detroit, before a unusual trip return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.
Sunday's comeback kings are each holding on to playoff hopes but have very little margin for error – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An unattractive win over the New York actually has them top of the division after starting one and five and looking finished.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his first NFL outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel returns.
But the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first league game after Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other rookie signal callers failing to do so afterward.
It came only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Browns defence recording ten tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a leader, a presence to build confidence.
And confidence is something not lacking in Sanders, who informed a CBS {