Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Best Moments from National Football League Week 12
Week 12 delivered an epic Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears keep to impress as they continue their victorious streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first NFL start to earn the starting role in Ohio?
Let's take a look at the best of the action in the league.
The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down against the reigning Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest recovery in history?
Sentiment of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing may have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.
Prescott surpassed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving touchdown embodying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being a disappointing NFC East defeat at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the attacking struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble giving opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a huge worry, as the components are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the key moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages barely sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there may be problems ahead.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis team was very notable – and could have just rescued their campaign.
How significant was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a 58% probability of reaching the playoffs, whereas a loss on Sunday would have dropped that number to 28%.
No wonder the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half by itself and leading three point-scoring possessions in their last four series to seal it in overtime.
Some big passes and daring runs are commonplace for Mahomes in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and only 10th in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the old Kansas City however, with a first one-score win of the season after losing five already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done just yet.
Discussion – Are Chicago Be Kings of the Division?
You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the same standing as the Eagles.
They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the league in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a emerging player now used to winning tight games.
He can still be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in close pursuit in the division after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are right there after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with 8 victories in nine, but as they visit the championship champs on the holiday we'll see just how good they truly are.
Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect
This looks among the most exciting holiday line-ups for a long time, with every game packed with playoff implications.
The Lions host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual visit return to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.
The weekend’s comeback kings are each holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little room for error – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them top of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and looking finished.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut professional start to keep the starting position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
Yet the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his first NFL game since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional rookie signal callers failing to do so afterward.
It was just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defence getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offense requires a leader, a presence to build confidence.
Moreover self-belief is something not lacking in Sanders, who informed a CBS {