Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Patrick Rescues Kansas City – Best Moments from National Football League Week 12

Week 12 provided an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes showed up to salvage the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they continue their winning run.

Did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first professional start to earn the full-time job in Cleveland?

We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were down and out at twenty-one to zero down versus the reigning Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best comeback ever?

The emotions of a first home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland untimely death could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (25) with an all-action display – his diving touchdown personifying his energetic showing.

Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since 1999, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the other being another disappointing division defeat at the New York.

Along with fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Texas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four straight kicks, a missed field goal and then a fumble handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, because the components are all there but it's just not clicking.

Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is does just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be problems in the future.

In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Save Kansas City

It wasn’t as dramatic, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the final period against a strong Indianapolis squad was very impressive – and may have only rescued their season.

How significant was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the playoffs, when a loss on the weekend would have dropped that number to 28%.

No wonder the playoff version of Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and leading three point-scoring possessions in their last 4 series to win it in overtime.

Some huge throws and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and just tenth in the conference standings.

That was closer to the former Kansas City though, with a initial close win of the year after losing 5 already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be done just yet.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?

You just can't overlook the Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on each side of the field, with a defense that tops the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to winning close games.

He may at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he also threw 3 touchdowns and, with already five final period rallies this year, he knows how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are right there after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with 8 victories in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how good they really are.

Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect

This looks among the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game loaded with playoff implications.

The Lions host the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a rare trip return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who started out existence as the Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.

The weekend’s comeback kings are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have very little room for error – so this will have a playoff feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the New York in fact has them top of the AFC North after beginning one and five and appearing finished.

Holiday and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Job?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had performed enough in his first professional start to maintain the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel returns.

Yet the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his first NFL start after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defense getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offense needs a director, a presence to inspire belief.

Moreover confidence is something not lacking in Sanders, who informed a network {

Arthur Chavez
Arthur Chavez

A tech journalist and software developer with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital trends.