Philly Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Best Highlights from National Football League Week 12

The twelfth week provided an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' season as the Bears continue to impress while they continue their winning run.

And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut professional outing to secure the starting role in Cleveland?

We’ll examine at the best of the action in the league.

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas were down and out at twenty-one to zero down versus the reigning Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?

Sentiment of a first home game after a teammate’s untimely passing may have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (25) with an dynamic display – his plunging touchdown embodying his all-action showing.

Philly squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with several turnovers this season – the previous being another bad NFC East loss at the New York.

Along with 14 infractions for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had more than one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving chance after opportunity to the Dallas.

The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.

Sirianni’s game is all about securing the big moments, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is does just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there may be trouble ahead.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Kansas City

It wasn’t as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Colts squad was hugely impressive – and could have only saved their campaign.

How significant was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on the weekend would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and guiding three point-scoring drives in their final four possessions to seal it in overtime.

Some huge passes and swashbuckling runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only tenth in the AFC standings.

This was closer to the old Chiefs however, with a first close victory of the season after dropping 5 already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished so soon.

Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the Division?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the same record as the Eagles.

They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now used to securing close games.

He may at times be shaky, surrendering a score after a fumble in his own end zone – but he also passed for 3 scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he knows how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after beating the New York in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most consistent with eight victories in 9, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll discover just how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Prospect

This looks among the most exciting holiday schedules for years, with each game packed with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the classic opener in Michigan, prior to a unusual visit return to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.

The weekend’s rally kings are each holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets actually has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and looking dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team position when Gabriel returns.

But the issue will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to secure his debut NFL start since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It was only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an almost feral Cleveland defence getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence needs a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

And self-belief is something not missing in Sanders, who told a network {

Theresa White
Theresa White

A dedicated film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in indie cinema and blockbuster analysis.