Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Saves Kansas City – Best Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week
Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Postseason Mahomes arrived to salvage the Kansas City's campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to impress as they continue their victorious streak.
Did Sanders do sufficiently on his debut professional start to earn the starting role in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.
The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind against the reigning championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best comeback ever?
The emotions of a first home fixture after a teammate’s tragic passing may have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (twenty-five) with an all-action display – his plunging touchdown embodying his energetic showing.
Philly squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time since 1999, with just their second game with several giveaways this year – the previous being another disappointing NFC East loss at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the first half alone in Texas.
Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of seven games (3 losses) is now a major worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be problems in the future.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Save Kansas City
It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Colts team was very notable – and could have only rescued their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent chance of making the postseason, when a loss on the weekend would have reduced that figure to 28%.
It’s no surprise the postseason form of Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and guiding three scoring possessions in their final four series to win it in extra time.
Some big throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and only 10th in the conference standings.
This was more like the old Chiefs though, with a first close win of the season after losing five already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished just yet.
Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the Division?
You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – 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 overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing close games.
He may at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own end zone – but he additionally passed for three touchdowns and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with eight victories in nine, but as they visit the championship champs on the holiday we'll see just how good they truly are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect
This looks one of the best Thanksgiving line-ups for a long time, with each game packed with playoff consequences.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a unusual visit return to Texas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
Sunday's comeback teams are each clinging to postseason aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff feel.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets in fact has them top of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and appearing finished.
Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Sanders had performed enough in his first NFL outing to keep the first-team job when Gabriel returns.
Yet the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his first league start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional rookie signal callers failing to do so since.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defence recording 10 tackles, but the Browns’ offense requires a director, a figurehead to build belief.
Moreover confidence is something not missing in Sanders, who told a network {