Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from National Football League Week 12
Week 12 provided an epic Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's season as the Bears continue to impress as they extend their winning streak.
And did Sanders do sufficiently on his debut professional start to secure the starting job in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the action in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were down and out at twenty-one to zero down versus the reigning Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they produce their joint-best comeback ever?
Sentiment of a first home fixture since a teammate’s tragic passing may have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (25) with an all-action display – his plunging score personifying his energetic display.
Philadelphia squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time since nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with several turnovers this season – the previous being another disappointing division defeat at the New York.
In addition to fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.
Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the big moments, the defense maintains them in it and what offence there is manages just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there could be trouble in the future.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn't as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Colts team was very notable – and could have only saved their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the playoffs, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have reduced that number to 28%.
No wonder the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and guiding three point-scoring drives in their final 4 possessions to win it in overtime.
Some huge throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference standings.
This was more like the old Kansas City though, with a first close victory of the year after losing 5 previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful may not be done just yet.
Talking Point – Can Bears Become Rulers of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – sharing the identical standing as the Eagles.
They appear threatening on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.
He can still be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he also threw three touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the New York in extra time with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how good they really are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Store
It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game packed with playoff consequences.
The Lions welcome the Packers in the classic opener in Michigan, prior to a rare visit return to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before moving to Kansas City.
The weekend’s rally teams are both holding on to playoff hopes but have very little margin for error – so this will have a playoff feel.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the New York actually has them leading of the division after starting one and five and looking dead and buried.
Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Browns coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut NFL outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel returns.
But the question will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his debut NFL game since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 other rookie quarterbacks failing to do so since.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost feral Browns defense getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who told a network {