Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week delivered an epic Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Eagles implosion?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they continue their victorious run.
And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first professional start to secure the full-time job in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down versus the reigning championship champions, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest recovery ever?
Sentiment of a first home fixture since a teammate’s tragic death may have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.
Dak surpassed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his plunging touchdown personifying his energetic display.
Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being another bad division loss at the New York.
In addition to 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a missed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after chance to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.
Sirianni’s game is all about securing the key situations, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is manages just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble ahead.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Save Chiefs
It wasn’t as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Colts team was very notable – and could have just saved their campaign.
How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that figure to 28%.
No wonder the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and guiding three scoring drives in their last 4 possessions to seal it in overtime.
A few huge throws and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference rankings.
This was more like the former Chiefs though, with a first one-score victory of the year after losing 5 previously – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the North?
You can no longer overlook the Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – holding the identical record as the Philadelphia.
They look threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defence that tops the league in picks and overall turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to securing close games.
He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he also passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the New York in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how good they really are.
Preview – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Prospect
It appears one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game packed with postseason consequences.
Detroit host the Green Bay in the classic opener in Detroit, prior to a rare trip return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.
The weekend’s comeback kings are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have very little margin for error – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets actually has them top of the division after starting 1-5 and looking dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his debut NFL start to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel returns.
But the question will keep being raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first league start since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year signal callers failing to do so since.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Browns defence recording 10 sacks, but the Browns’ offense requires a leader, a presence to inspire confidence.
And confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a network {