Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Mahomes Saves Kansas City – Best Highlights from National Football League Week 12
The twelfth week provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Postseason Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they continue their winning streak.
Did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to secure the starting role in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at 21-0 down against the defending championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an all-action performance – his diving score personifying his energetic showing.
Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the other being another disappointing NFC East defeat at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was significant. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had more than one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a fumble handing chance after chance to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a huge concern, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is manages barely enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there may be trouble ahead.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Save Kansas City
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the final period versus a strong Colts squad was hugely notable – and may have only saved their campaign.
How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of making the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have dropped that number to 28%.
It’s no surprise the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and guiding three point-scoring possessions in their final four possessions to seal it in overtime.
Some big throws and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference standings.
This was more like the former Kansas City though, with a first one-score win of the season after dropping 5 already – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done just yet.
Discussion – Can Bears Become Rulers of the North?
You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the identical record as the Eagles.
They look threatening on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the NFL in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a emerging player now accustomed to winning close games.
He can at times be shaky, surrendering a score after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he knows how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with eight victories in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll discover exactly how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store
This looks among the best Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game loaded with playoff consequences.
The Lions host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual trip back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
The weekend’s rally kings are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have very little margin for error – so this will have a playoff feel.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets actually has them leading of the division after beginning one and five and appearing finished.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut NFL outing to keep the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
Yet the question will keep being raised as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut league game after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.
It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defence getting 10 sacks, but the Browns’ offense requires a director, a presence to inspire belief.
And confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {