Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Best Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week
Week 12 provided an incredible Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' campaign while the Bears continue to impress while they extend their victorious run.
And did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to secure the starting job in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the best of the week in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas found themselves down and out at 21-0 down against the defending Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
Sentiment of a initial home game since Marshawn Kneeland untimely death may have played a part, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Prescott surpassed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his diving score embodying his all-action showing.
Philly wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the previous being a bad NFC East defeat at the Giants.
In addition to 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games before the weekend, he had over 150 in the first half alone in Dallas.
However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.
The Eagles defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major worry, because the components are all there but it's just not clicking.
Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the key moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is does just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there could be problems ahead.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Chiefs
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Colts team was hugely notable – and may have only saved their season.
How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the postseason, when a loss on Sunday would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the postseason form of Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading 3 scoring possessions in their last four series to seal it in overtime.
Some huge throws and swashbuckling runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and just 10th in the AFC standings.
That was closer to the former Kansas City however, with a initial one-score victory of the year after dropping five previously – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be done so soon.
Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the Division?
You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same record as the Eagles.
They look threatening on each side of the field, with a defense that tops the NFL in picks and total turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning tight games.
He may at times be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he also threw three scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this year, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot chase in the division after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how good they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store
This looks one of the best holiday schedules for years, with every game loaded with playoff consequences.
Detroit host the Green Bay in the classic opener in Detroit, before a rare trip back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.
Sunday's rally kings are each clinging to playoff aspirations but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York in fact has them leading of the division after starting 1-5 and appearing finished.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his debut NFL outing to maintain the first-team job when Gabriel comes back.
But the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his first league game since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.
It came just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defense getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offense needs a director, a presence to inspire confidence.
And self-belief is something not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {