Philly Falter in Dallas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Highlights from National Football League the Twelfth Week

Week 12 delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Postseason Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to impress as they extend their victorious streak.

And did Sanders do enough on his debut NFL start to earn the starting role in Ohio?

We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind versus the reigning championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest recovery ever?

The emotions of a first home fixture since Marshawn Kneeland tragic death may have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.

Prescott surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his plunging score embodying his energetic display.

Philadelphia squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple giveaways this season – the previous being another disappointing division defeat at the Giants.

Along with 14 infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games before Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half alone in Texas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four straight punts, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in five of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's just not working.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there may be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Indianapolis team was hugely impressive – and could have only rescued their season.

How big was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the playoff form of Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading 3 scoring drives in their final 4 possessions to seal it in extra time.

A few huge throws and swashbuckling runs are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the AFC standings.

That was closer to the old Kansas City however, with a first one-score win of the season after losing five already – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done so soon.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?

You can no longer ignore the Bears now. A win over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the same record as the Eagles.

They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Williams, a young player now used to securing close games.

He can still be shaky, giving away a score after a fumble in his own end zone – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this year, 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 right there after beating the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most consistent with 8 wins in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how strong they really are.

Preview – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store

It appears among the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game packed with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the classic opener in Detroit, before a unusual visit back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

Sunday's rally kings are both holding on to playoff hopes but have minimal room for error – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

What about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them top of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and looking finished.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut NFL start to maintain the starting job when Gabriel returns.

But the question will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to win his debut NFL game after Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It was only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defence getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offense needs a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

And self-belief is one thing not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {

Andrew Moore
Andrew Moore

A financial journalist with over a decade of experience covering global markets and economic policy.