Philly Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week
Week 12 provided an incredible Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season as the Bears keep to impress as they extend their victorious streak.
And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his first professional outing to earn the starting job in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 down against the defending championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
Sentiment of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Prescott eclipsed Romo’s marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (25) with an dynamic performance – his diving touchdown embodying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the previous being another bad NFC East loss at the Giants.
Along with fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.
However 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 turnover giving opportunity after chance to the Dallas.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Sirianni’s game is all about securing the big moments, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is does barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there could be problems in the future.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Colts squad was hugely impressive – and could have just rescued their season.
How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of making the playoffs, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading three scoring drives in their final 4 series to seal it in extra time.
Some huge throws and daring scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the AFC rankings.
This was more like the former Chiefs however, with a first close win of the year after losing five previously – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished just yet.
Discussion – Are Chicago Become Kings of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.
They look threatening on each side of the field, with a defense that tops the NFL in picks and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a emerging quarterback now used to winning close games.
He may at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s end zone – but he additionally passed for 3 scores and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he understands how to finish the game.
Green Bay are in hot chase in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after beating the New York in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most consistent with 8 wins in 9, but as they travel to the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store
This looks among the best holiday schedules for years, with each game packed with postseason implications.
The Lions host the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Michigan, prior to a rare trip back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.
Sunday's rally teams are both holding on to playoff hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his debut professional start to keep the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
But the issue will keep being asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his first league start since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other first-year quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.
It was just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Cleveland defense getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a figurehead to build confidence.
Moreover self-belief is one thing not missing in Sanders, who informed a CBS {