Philly Falter in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Moments from National Football League Week 12

The twelfth week provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Eagles implosion?

Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season while the Bears continue to impress as they extend their winning run.

And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first professional start to secure the starting job in Cleveland?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind against the defending championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?

The emotions of a initial home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing may have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Eagles.

Prescott surpassed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his plunging score personifying his all-action display.

Philly wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several giveaways this year – the other being a disappointing NFC East loss at the Giants.

In addition to fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.

However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four straight punts, a missed field goal and then a turnover giving opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the components are all there but it's just not working.

Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the key situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is manages barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be problems ahead.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Kansas City

It wasn’t as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Indianapolis squad was very notable – and could have only saved their season.

How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of making the playoffs, when a defeat on Sunday would have reduced that figure to 28%.

It’s no surprise the playoff version of Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading three scoring possessions in their last four series to win it in extra time.

A few big throws and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only tenth in the conference rankings.

This was closer to the old Kansas City however, with a first close win of the year after dropping 5 previously – they won eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Can Bears Be Kings of the Division?

You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, minus 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 NFL in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to securing close games.

He can at times be inconsistent, giving away a score after a turnover in his team’s end zone – but he additionally passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the division after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.

The Bears are strangely the most reliable with eight victories in 9, but as they visit the championship champs on the holiday we'll discover exactly how strong they really are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Store

It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for years, with every game loaded with postseason implications.

Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the classic opener in Michigan, prior to a unusual visit back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.

The weekend’s rally kings are each clinging to postseason hopes but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff 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 looking finished.

Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut NFL outing to maintain the first-team job when Gabriel returns.

But the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut NFL game since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an nearly feral Cleveland defence getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence requires a leader, a figurehead to build confidence.

And confidence is something not lacking in Sanders, who informed a network {

Mrs. Julia Davis MD
Mrs. Julia Davis MD

A financial analyst with over a decade of experience in portfolio management and economic forecasting, passionate about demystifying complex financial concepts.