Philly Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from National Football League Week 12
The twelfth week delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season as the Chicago Bears keep to impress as they extend their winning streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to secure the starting role in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.
The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
Dallas found themselves down and out at 21-0 down versus the defending championship winners, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback in history?
Sentiment of a initial home fixture since a teammate’s tragic passing could have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon errors by the Eagles.
Prescott surpassed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an all-action performance – his diving touchdown personifying his all-action display.
Philadelphia wasted a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with several turnovers this season – the other being a bad NFC East loss at the Giants.
In addition to 14 penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had more than one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Dallas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a missed field goal and then a fumble handing chance after chance to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is does barely enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble in the future.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period against a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely notable – and may have only rescued their campaign.
How significant was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of making the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that number to 28%.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading three point-scoring possessions in their final four series to seal it in overtime.
Some big passes and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and just tenth in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a initial one-score win of the season after losing 5 previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be done just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Eagles.
They appear threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defence that tops the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to winning tight games.
He can still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally passed for three scores and, with already five fourth-quarter 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 Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll see just how good they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store
This looks one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game packed with playoff consequences.
The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional opener in Michigan, prior to a rare trip return to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
The weekend’s comeback kings are both holding on to postseason hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.
What about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets in fact has them leading of the division after starting one and five and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his first professional start to keep the first-team position when Gabriel returns.
But the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his debut NFL game since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other first-year signal callers failing to do so since.
It was just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defense recording ten sacks, but the Browns’ offense needs a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
And self-belief is something not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {