Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week

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

Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's campaign while the Bears continue to surprise while they continue their winning streak.

Did Sanders do sufficiently on his first NFL start to earn the starting role in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind against the reigning championship champions, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest recovery ever?

The emotions of a initial home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.

Prescott eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch drives (25) with an dynamic display – his diving touchdown personifying his energetic display.

Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being a bad division loss at the Giants.

Along with 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had more than one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Texas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about winning the key moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is manages barely enough – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there could be problems ahead.

In Focus – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Save Chiefs

It wasn’t as dramatic, but Kansas City's eleven-point recovery in the fourth quarter against a powerful Indianapolis team was very notable – and may have just saved their season.

How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, when a loss on Sunday would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and guiding three scoring possessions in their final four series to seal it in overtime.

A few huge passes and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and only 10th in the AFC rankings.

This was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a first one-score victory of the year after dropping 5 previously – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished just yet.

Discussion – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the Division?

You can no longer overlook the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at eight and three – sharing the same record as the Philadelphia.

They appear threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defence that leads the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now used to securing close games.

He can still be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his own goal area – but he additionally threw three scores and, with already five final period rallies this season, he knows how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after beating the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with eight wins in 9, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll see just how strong they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

It appears among the most exciting holiday schedules for years, with every game packed with postseason implications.

The Lions host the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a rare trip return to Texas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback kings are both holding on to playoff hopes but have very little margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them leading of the AFC North after beginning one and five and appearing dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day 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: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his first professional outing to keep the starting job when Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his first NFL start after Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It was only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a leader, a figurehead to inspire belief.

Moreover confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a network {

Ann Nelson
Ann Nelson

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in transforming brands through data-driven creative solutions.