Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL the Twelfth Week

Week 12 provided an incredible Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?

Postseason Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' campaign while the Bears continue to surprise while they extend their victorious run.

And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first professional start to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?

We’ll examine at the best of the week in the NFL.

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down versus the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback ever?

Sentiment of a initial home game since a teammate’s untimely death may have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging score personifying his energetic display.

Philly wasted a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the first time since 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being a bad NFC East loss at the New York.

Along with fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had more than one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the components are all there but it's just not clicking.

Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there could be trouble ahead.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn’t as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Colts squad was hugely notable – and may have just rescued their season.

How significant was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a 58% probability of reaching the playoffs, when a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure to 28%.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and leading three point-scoring drives in their final 4 series to win it in extra time.

Some big passes and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and just tenth in the AFC standings.

That was closer to the old Chiefs however, with a initial one-score win of the season after dropping 5 already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the Division?

You can no longer overlook the Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – sharing the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defence that leads the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning tight games.

He can still be inconsistent, giving away a score after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the division after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are right there after overcoming the New York in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect

It appears one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game packed with playoff consequences.

The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the classic opener in Detroit, before a rare visit return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback kings are each holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little margin for error – so this will have a playoff feel.

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them top of the division after starting one and five and appearing dead and buried.

Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?

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 Gabriel comes back.

Yet the issue will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his first league start since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defence getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence requires a director, a figurehead to build belief.

Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Shedeur, who told a network {

Anthony Green
Anthony Green

A passionate gamer and tech writer with over a decade of experience covering video games and emerging trends in interactive entertainment.