Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Mahomes Saves Chiefs – Top Moments from National Football League Week 12

Week 12 provided an incredible Cowboys rally, or perhaps an epic Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to surprise while they extend their winning run.

And did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his debut professional start to earn the full-time job in Cleveland?

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

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at 21-0 behind against the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?

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 determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak eclipsed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an dynamic display – his plunging score embodying his all-action showing.

Philadelphia wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being a bad NFC East loss at the Giants.

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 had only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the first half alone in Texas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing chance after opportunity to the Dallas.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the components are all there but it's simply not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about securing the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offence 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 in the future.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a powerful Colts team was hugely notable – and may have just rescued their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of making the playoffs, whereas a loss on the weekend would have dropped that number to 28%.

No wonder the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half by itself and guiding 3 point-scoring drives in their final four series to seal it in extra time.

Some big passes and daring scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and only tenth in the AFC standings.

This was more like the old Chiefs however, with a initial one-score win of the season after losing 5 already – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Kings of the Division?

You just can't ignore the Bears now. A win over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – holding the identical standing as the Eagles.

They look threatening on each side of the ball, with a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Williams, a emerging quarterback now used to securing tight games.

He can still be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally passed for three scores and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this season, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the division after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 victories in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll see just how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

It appears among the best Thanksgiving line-ups for a long time, with every game loaded with playoff consequences.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip return to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.

The weekend’s comeback teams are both holding on to playoff aspirations but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them top of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his debut NFL start to keep the starting position when Dillon Gabriel returns.

Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to win his debut NFL start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It was just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly aggressive Browns defence getting 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a presence to build confidence.

Moreover self-belief is something not lacking in Sanders, who told a CBS {

Devin Brady
Devin Brady

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