Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL Week 12
The twelfth week provided an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season as the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they extend their winning streak.
Did Shedeur Sanders perform sufficiently on his first professional start to earn the full-time job in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the best of the week in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero behind versus the reigning Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home game since a teammate’s untimely passing could have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Dak surpassed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action performance – his diving score embodying his all-action showing.
Philly squandered a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with several turnovers this season – the other being another disappointing NFC East defeat at the Giants.
Along with 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.
The Eagles defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the pieces are all there but it's just not working.
Sirianni’s game is all about securing the key moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is manages barely sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble ahead.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Save Chiefs
It wasn’t as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the final period against a powerful Indianapolis squad was very impressive – and may have only rescued their campaign.
How big was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent chance of making the playoffs, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the playoff version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half by itself and guiding three scoring possessions in their final 4 series to seal it in extra time.
A few huge passes and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and only 10th in the conference standings.
That was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a initial close win of the year after losing 5 already – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?
You just can't overlook the Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.
They appear dangerous on each side of the field, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young player now accustomed to winning close games.
He may at times be inconsistent, giving away a score after a fumble in his own end zone – but he also threw three scores and, with already five final period comebacks this year, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in close chase in the division after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the New York in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight wins in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store
It appears among the most exciting Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.
The Lions host the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a unusual visit back to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out existence as the Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Missouri.
The weekend’s comeback kings are both clinging to playoff hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them top of the division after starting 1-5 and appearing finished.
Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team position when Gabriel returns.
But the issue will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to secure his debut league game after Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional rookie quarterbacks failing to do so since.
It was just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defense recording ten sacks, but Cleveland's offense requires a leader, a presence to build belief.
And confidence is something not missing in Shedeur, who told a CBS {