Philly Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from National Football League Week 12
The twelfth week delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Playoff Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' campaign while the Bears continue to surprise while they extend their winning streak.
Did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his debut NFL start to secure the starting job in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at 21-0 down against the reigning championship champions, how exactly did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?
Sentiment of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action performance – his diving touchdown personifying his energetic display.
Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several turnovers this season – the other being another disappointing division defeat at the Giants.
In addition to 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He'd only passed for over two hundred yards in four games before the weekend, he had more than one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, because the components are all there but it's just not working.
Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there could be problems ahead.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Save Chiefs
It wasn't as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point recovery in the fourth quarter against a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and may have just rescued their season.
How big was it? Well, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the postseason, when a loss on the weekend would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and leading three point-scoring drives in their final four series to seal it in overtime.
A few big passes and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at six and five and only 10th in the AFC rankings.
That was closer to the former Chiefs however, with a initial close win of the season after losing 5 already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be done just yet.
Discussion – Can Bears Become Rulers of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Eagles.
They appear dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defense that tops the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Williams, a emerging quarterback now used to securing close games.
He may still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his own goal area – but he additionally threw three scores and, with already five final period comebacks this year, he knows how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight wins in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect
This looks one of the best Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Detroit, before a unusual trip return to Texas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
The weekend’s rally teams are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York actually has them leading of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had performed enough in his first NFL start to maintain the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel returns.
Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut league game after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other rookie quarterbacks failing to do so since.
It was only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Browns defense recording ten sacks, but Cleveland's offence needs a director, a presence to inspire belief.
Moreover self-belief is one thing not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {