Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from National Football League the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Bears keep to impress as they extend their winning run.
And did Sanders do enough on his debut NFL outing to earn the starting job in Ohio?
Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were down and out at 21-0 behind against the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest recovery in history?
The emotions of a initial home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.
Prescott eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his all-action showing.
Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time since 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the previous being another disappointing division defeat at the Giants.
In addition to 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He'd only passed for over two hundred yards in four games before Sunday, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.
However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble giving chance after chance to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defense is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a major concern, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is does just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and possession security is failing, there may be problems in the future.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn't as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a strong Indianapolis team was hugely impressive – and may have only rescued their season.
How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a 58% chance of making the playoffs, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding 3 point-scoring drives in their final four series to win it in overtime.
Some big throws and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season form – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference rankings.
That was closer to the former Kansas City however, with a first one-score win of the year after dropping 5 already – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished just yet.
Talking Point – Can Bears Become Rulers of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – sharing 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 turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.
He can still be inconsistent, giving away a score after a fumble in his own goal area – but he additionally passed for 3 scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he knows how to finish the game.
Green Bay are in close chase in the division after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight victories in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover just how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Prospect
This looks among the best Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with every game loaded with postseason implications.
Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Michigan, before a rare visit back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.
The weekend’s rally teams are each clinging to postseason aspirations but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York actually has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing finished.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
Yet the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his first league game after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.
It was only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly aggressive Browns defense recording ten tackles, but the Browns’ offense needs a director, a presence to inspire confidence.
Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Shedeur, who told a network {