Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Best Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week delivered an epic Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to surprise as they continue their victorious streak.
And did Sanders perform enough on his debut NFL outing to earn the full-time role in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the league.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?
Dallas found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero behind versus the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
The emotions of a initial home fixture after a teammate’s untimely death could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his plunging score personifying his all-action showing.
Philly squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this season – the previous being another disappointing NFC East defeat at the New York.
Along with fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only passed for over two hundred yards in four games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.
However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Dallas.
The Eagles defence is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, as the components are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the key moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does barely enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there could be trouble ahead.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the final period versus a strong Colts team was very impressive – and may have only saved their season.
How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the playoffs, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that number to 28%.
No wonder the postseason version of Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding 3 scoring possessions in their final 4 possessions to seal it in overtime.
Some big throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only tenth in the conference rankings.
That was closer to the old Kansas City however, with a initial close win of the year after losing five previously – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?
You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Eagles.
They look threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the league in picks and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now used to winning tight games.
He may at times be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.
Green Bay are in close pursuit in the division after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with 8 victories in nine, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect
It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game loaded with postseason implications.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the classic opener in Detroit, prior to a rare trip return to Texas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before moving to Missouri.
Sunday's comeback teams are both holding on to postseason hopes but have very little margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets actually has them top of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his first professional outing to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
But the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to secure his first NFL game after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly aggressive Browns defense getting 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
And confidence is one thing not missing in Sanders, who informed a CBS {