Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Best Highlights from NFL Week 12
Week 12 provided an incredible Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears keep to surprise as they extend their victorious run.
And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to earn the starting role in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the best of the week in the NFL.
The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys were down and out at twenty-one to zero down versus the reigning Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best recovery ever?
The emotions of a initial home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing may have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that pounced on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving touchdown personifying his all-action display.
Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the other being a disappointing division loss at the Giants.
In addition to fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in four games before the weekend, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Dallas.
However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.
The Eagles defense is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in five of seven games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the components are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the big situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is manages just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there may be problems ahead.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Save Chiefs
It wasn't as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a strong Colts squad was hugely notable – and could have just saved their season.
How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent chance of making the playoffs, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the postseason form of Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final four series to win it in overtime.
Some huge throws and daring scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season form – at six and five and just 10th in the conference standings.
That was closer to the former Chiefs however, with a initial close win of the season after losing five already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the Division?
You just can't overlook the Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the same record as the Philadelphia.
They look threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defence that leads the league in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing close games.
He may at times be inconsistent, giving away a score after a turnover in his own goal area – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight wins in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll discover just how good they really are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Store
This looks one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with every game packed with postseason consequences.
The Lions host the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a rare trip back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.
Sunday's comeback teams are each holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after starting one and five and looking finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut professional start to maintain the starting job when Gabriel returns.
Yet the question will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to secure his debut NFL game since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 other rookie signal callers failing to do so since.
It was just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defense recording ten sacks, but Cleveland's offense requires a director, a figurehead to build confidence.
Moreover self-belief is one thing not missing in Shedeur, who informed a network {