Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Best Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week
Week 12 delivered an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?
Postseason Mahomes showed up to salvage the Kansas City's season as the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they continue their winning run.
And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut professional start to secure the full-time role in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.
The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were trailing badly at 21-0 behind against the reigning Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
Sentiment of a initial home game since Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing could have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defence that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.
Prescott surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (25) with an dynamic performance – his diving score personifying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being a bad division defeat at the New York.
In addition to fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four straight punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in five of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Sirianni’s game is all about securing the key moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is manages just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and possession security is failing, there may be problems in the future.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't quite as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point recovery in the final period against a powerful Indianapolis team was very impressive – and could have just rescued their season.
How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a 58% probability of making the playoffs, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading 3 scoring possessions in their final four possessions to win it in overtime.
Some big passes and swashbuckling runs are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff mode – at six and five and only 10th in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the old Kansas City however, with a first close win of the year after dropping 5 already – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Eagles.
They appear threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defence that tops the league in picks and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.
He may at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he also passed for three scores and, with already five final period comebacks this year, he understands how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot chase in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.
The Bears are interestingly the most consistent with eight victories in 9, but as they visit the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they truly are.
Preview – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store
This looks among the best holiday line-ups for years, with each game packed with playoff implications.
The Lions host the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, prior to a rare trip back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Kansas City.
Sunday's rally kings are both clinging to postseason hopes but have minimal room for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York actually has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and looking dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional start to keep the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
But the question will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his first league game since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.
It came just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defence recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offense needs a director, a figurehead to inspire belief.
Moreover self-belief is something not missing in Sanders, who told a network {