Philly Falter in Dallas & Mahomes Saves Kansas City – Top Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week provided an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?
Playoff Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears continue to surprise as they continue their winning streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his first professional outing to secure the full-time role in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down versus the defending championship winners, how exactly did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?
The emotions of a first home fixture after a teammate’s tragic passing could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that pounced on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Dak surpassed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his diving touchdown personifying his all-action display.
Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being a disappointing division loss at the New York.
In addition to 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
Yet from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble giving chance after chance to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the key situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there may be trouble in the future.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Chiefs
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a powerful Indianapolis squad was very notable – and may have only saved their campaign.
How big was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a 58% chance of making the playoffs, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that figure to 28%.
No wonder the playoff version of Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading 3 scoring drives in their last 4 series to seal it in overtime.
A few huge passes and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season form – at six and five and only tenth in the AFC rankings.
This was closer to the old Chiefs however, with a first close win of the year after losing five already – they won eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done just yet.
Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?
You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Philadelphia.
They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the league in picks and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young player now used to winning tight games.
He may still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he additionally passed for 3 scores and, with already 5 final period comebacks this season, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Store
It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving line-ups for a long time, with each game packed with playoff implications.
The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, prior to a unusual visit back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.
The weekend’s comeback kings are both clinging to playoff hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them top of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Browns coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his first NFL outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel comes back.
But the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his first NFL game after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It was just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Cleveland defense getting 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Shedeur, who told a network {