Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL Week 12
The twelfth week delivered an incredible Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they extend their winning run.
Did Shedeur Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL start to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the NFL.
The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down against the defending Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they produce their joint-best comeback ever?
Sentiment of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland untimely death could have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (25) with an dynamic display – his diving score embodying his energetic display.
Philly squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since 1999, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this season – the previous being another bad NFC East loss at the Giants.
Along with 14 infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit 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 over 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four straight punts, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Sirianni’s game is all about securing the key moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there may be problems in the future.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Save Kansas City
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was very notable – and may have just saved their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the playoffs, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have reduced that number to 28%.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and guiding three scoring possessions in their final 4 series to win it in overtime.
A few huge throws and daring runs are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season form – at six and five and just 10th in the AFC standings.
This was more like the former Chiefs however, with a initial close victory of the year after losing 5 previously – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?
You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Eagles.
They look threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the league in picks and overall turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to securing close games.
He may still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this year, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in close chase in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after beating the New York in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll discover just how good they truly are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store
This looks among the most exciting holiday line-ups for a long time, with each game packed with playoff implications.
Detroit host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.
The weekend’s comeback teams are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York in fact has them top of the division after beginning one and five and appearing dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his first NFL outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel returns.
But the question will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to win his debut league start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Cleveland defence getting 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a presence to build confidence.
Moreover confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a network {