Philly Falter in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Kansas City – Best Moments from NFL Week 12
Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's season while the Chicago Bears continue to surprise while they continue their winning run.
And did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his debut professional outing to earn the starting role in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the best of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?
Sentiment of a initial home fixture since a teammate’s untimely passing may have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.
Prescott eclipsed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown embodying his all-action display.
Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being another disappointing division defeat at the New York.
In addition to fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had over 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Sirianni’s approach is all about winning 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 composure and ball protection is failing, there could be problems in the future.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn’t as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the final period versus a powerful Indianapolis squad was hugely notable – and may have only saved their campaign.
How significant was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that figure to 28%.
No wonder the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and leading 3 scoring drives in their final four series to win it in overtime.
A few huge throws and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and only tenth in the AFC rankings.
This was more like the old Kansas City however, with a first one-score victory of the season after dropping 5 already – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done so soon.
Discussion – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same record as the Eagles.
They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Williams, a young player now used to securing tight games.
He can at times be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his own end zone – but he also threw 3 scores and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he knows how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are right there after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with eight wins in 9, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store
It appears one of the best Thanksgiving line-ups for a long time, with each game packed with playoff implications.
Detroit host the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Michigan, before a unusual visit return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who started out existence as the Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Missouri.
Sunday's rally teams are both clinging to postseason hopes but have minimal room for error – so this will have a playoff feel.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets actually has them top of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and appearing finished.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had done enough in his first NFL start to keep the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel returns.
Yet the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his debut league game after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.
It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense getting ten tackles, but the Browns’ offense needs a director, a presence to build belief.
Moreover self-belief is something not missing in Sanders, who informed a CBS {