Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Best Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week
Week 12 delivered an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to surprise while they extend their winning streak.
And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut professional outing to earn the full-time role in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the best of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down versus the reigning Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home game after a teammate’s tragic death may have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon errors by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his diving touchdown personifying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since 1999, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the previous being another bad NFC East loss at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble giving opportunity after chance to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the pieces are all there but it's just not working.
Sirianni’s game is all about securing the big situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is does just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be problems in the future.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a powerful Colts team was hugely impressive – and could have just saved their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, when a loss on Sunday would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and leading three scoring possessions in their final four series to win it in overtime.
A few huge passes and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Kansas City are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and just 10th in the conference rankings.
That was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a initial one-score victory of the year after dropping 5 previously – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the North?
You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Philadelphia.
They appear threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the league in picks and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to winning tight games.
He may still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw 3 touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how good they really are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect
It appears one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game packed with playoff implications.
Detroit host the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Michigan, prior to a rare trip return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Texans long ago in the sixties before moving to Missouri.
Sunday's comeback teams are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York actually has them leading of the AFC North after beginning one and five and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team position when Gabriel comes back.
But the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to secure his first league start since Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.
It came just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense recording ten tackles, but the Browns’ offence requires a leader, a figurehead to build confidence.
Moreover confidence is something not missing in Shedeur, who told a CBS {