Philly Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Top Moments from NFL Week 12
The twelfth week provided an epic Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they extend their victorious streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his debut NFL start to earn the starting job in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.
The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down versus the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest comeback in history?
Sentiment of a initial home game since a teammate’s tragic death could have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the previous being another disappointing NFC East loss at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the first half alone in Texas.
However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's just not working.
Sirianni’s game is all about winning the big situations, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is does barely enough – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is failing, there may be problems in the future.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period against a powerful Indianapolis team was hugely notable – and could have just saved their season.
How significant was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a 58% probability of making the playoffs, when a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that figure to 28%.
It’s no surprise the playoff version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and leading three scoring drives in their last four possessions to seal it in overtime.
A few big throws and daring runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and only tenth in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the former Kansas City however, with a initial one-score win of the year after losing 5 already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done so soon.
Discussion – Can Bears Become Kings of the North?
You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the identical record as the Eagles.
They look dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defense that tops the NFL in picks and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to winning close games.
He can at times be shaky, giving away a score after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to finish the game.
Green Bay 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 Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover just how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect
This looks among the most exciting holiday schedules for a long time, with every game packed with playoff implications.
The Lions host the Packers in the traditional opener in Michigan, before a unusual visit back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the sixties before moving to Missouri.
Sunday's comeback teams are each clinging to playoff hopes but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets actually has them top of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had done sufficiently in his first professional outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel returns.
Yet the issue will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut NFL game after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It was just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly feral Cleveland defence recording 10 tackles, but the Browns’ offense needs a leader, a figurehead to build confidence.
And self-belief is one thing not missing in Shedeur, who told a network {