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

The twelfth week delivered an incredible Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Eagles implosion?

Playoff Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they continue their winning run.

And did Sanders do sufficiently on his first NFL start to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at 21-0 behind against the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback ever?

The emotions of a first home game after a teammate’s untimely passing could have played a part, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott surpassed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action display – his diving score personifying his energetic showing.

Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several giveaways this year – the previous being a bad division loss at the New York.

Along with fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the attacking struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had over 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a turnover giving opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in five of seven games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the components are all there but it's simply not clicking.

Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there could be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Save Chiefs

It wasn't quite as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a powerful Indianapolis team was very notable – and could have just rescued their campaign.

How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of making the postseason, when a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that figure to 28%.

No wonder the playoff version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and guiding three scoring possessions in their last 4 possessions to win it in overtime.

Some big throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference rankings.

That was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a initial close win of the season after dropping 5 already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be done just yet.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Rulers of the North?

You just can't ignore the Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Eagles.

They appear dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the league in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young player now used to securing close games.

He can still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s end zone – but he also threw three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this year, he knows how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are right there after overcoming the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 wins in 9, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

It appears one of the best holiday schedules for a long time, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans way back in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.

The weekend’s rally teams are each holding on to playoff hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York actually has them leading of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and looking finished.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day 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: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his first professional outing to keep the starting job when Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first NFL game since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It was only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Browns defence recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offense requires a director, a presence to inspire belief.

Moreover self-belief is something not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {

Amber Rosario
Amber Rosario

A tech enthusiast and digital content creator passionate about exploring emerging technologies and gaming innovations.