Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Best Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week

Week 12 provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they continue their victorious streak.

Did Sanders do sufficiently on his debut NFL start to earn the starting job in Ohio?

Let's take a look at the best of the action in the league.

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down versus the defending championship winners, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback in history?

Sentiment of a first home game after a teammate’s tragic death could have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his plunging touchdown personifying his all-action showing.

Philadelphia squandered a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since 1999, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the other being another bad NFC East loss at the Giants.

Along with 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Dallas.

However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed dramatically – with four straight kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing chance after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, 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 manages just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there may be problems ahead.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period against a powerful Colts team was very notable – and may have just rescued their season.

How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, when a loss on Sunday would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and leading 3 scoring possessions in their final 4 series to seal it in overtime.

A few huge passes and daring scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at six and five and only tenth in the AFC standings.

That was more like the old Kansas City however, with a first close win of the season after dropping five already – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done so soon.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They appear dangerous on each side of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now used to securing tight games.

He can at times be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he also threw three scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this year, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in close chase in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with eight wins in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how good they really are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

This looks one of the best holiday line-ups for a long time, with every game loaded with postseason consequences.

The Lions host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a rare trip back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans way back in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.

Sunday's rally teams are both holding on to playoff hopes but have minimal room for error – so this will have a playoff feel.

And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and looking finished.

Holiday and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Browns head coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his debut professional start to keep the starting job when Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will keep being raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first NFL game since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year signal callers failing to do so since.

It came just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defense recording ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

Moreover confidence is something not missing in Shedeur, who told a network {

Jeff Wright
Jeff Wright

Elara is a passionate writer and environmental advocate, sharing her journey towards a balanced and eco-friendly life.