Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Top Moments from National Football League Week 12
Week 12 delivered an incredible Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Eagles implosion?
Playoff Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to surprise while they continue their victorious streak.
Did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first NFL outing to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the NFL.
The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind against the defending Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback in history?
The emotions of a initial home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Philadelphia.
Prescott surpassed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his plunging score embodying his energetic display.
Philly wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since 1999, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being another disappointing division loss at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing chance after chance to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defence is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's just not working.
Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there may be trouble ahead.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Save Kansas City
It wasn't as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the final period against a powerful Indianapolis squad was hugely notable – and may have only saved their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, when a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to 28%.
No wonder the playoff form of Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and leading three scoring possessions in their last 4 possessions to seal it in overtime.
Some huge passes and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season form – at six and five and only 10th in the conference rankings.
This was more like the old Kansas City though, with a initial one-score victory of the season after losing 5 already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the Division?
You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Eagles.
They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the league in picks and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to winning tight games.
He may still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he also passed for three scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he knows how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll discover exactly how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store
This looks among the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game packed with postseason consequences.
Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Detroit, prior to a rare trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
The weekend’s comeback kings are each clinging to playoff aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York in fact has them top of the division after starting 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut professional outing to maintain the starting position when Gabriel returns.
But the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his debut NFL start since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It was just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Browns defense getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offense requires a leader, a presence to build belief.
And self-belief is something not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a network {