Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from National Football League the Twelfth Week

The twelfth week delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears keep to surprise while they extend their victorious streak.

And did Sanders do enough on his first NFL outing to earn the starting job in Ohio?

Let's take a look at the best of the week in the league.

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning championship champions, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest comeback ever?

The emotions of a first home fixture after a teammate’s untimely death could have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak eclipsed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning drives (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his plunging score personifying his energetic showing.

Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being a disappointing division loss at the Giants.

Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four straight punts, a missed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing chance after chance to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the components are all there but it's just not clicking.

Sirianni’s game is all about winning the key situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there may be trouble in the future.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and could have just saved their season.

How significant was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of making the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure to 28%.

No wonder the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and leading three scoring drives in their last 4 series to seal it in overtime.

Some huge throws and daring runs are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff form – at 6-5 and just 10th in the conference rankings.

That was more like the former Kansas City though, with a first close victory of the year after dropping five already – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.

Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the Division?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the identical record as the Eagles.

They appear threatening on each side of the field, with a defence that leads the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now accustomed to securing close games.

He may still be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period comebacks this year, he knows how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight wins in 9, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they truly are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store

It appears one of the best Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game loaded with playoff consequences.

Detroit host the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, before a unusual 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 teams are each clinging to playoff hopes but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York in fact has them top of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing finished.

Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay 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, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first NFL start to keep the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will keep being asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut league start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.

It was only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defense recording ten tackles, but Cleveland's offense needs a director, a figurehead to build confidence.

Moreover confidence is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who informed a CBS {

Katherine Wright
Katherine Wright

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.