Philly Falter in Texas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

Week 12 delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Eagles implosion?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's season as the Bears continue to surprise as they extend their victorious streak.

Did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his debut professional start to secure the full-time role in Ohio?

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

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at 21-0 behind versus the reigning championship champions, how exactly did they engineer their joint-best comeback in history?

The emotions of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland tragic death may have played a part, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.

Prescott surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (25) with an dynamic display – his plunging score embodying his energetic display.

Philly squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time since nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this season – the previous being a bad NFC East loss at the New York.

Along with fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was significant. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a turnover giving opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, as the components are all there but it's just not clicking.

Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there may be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Early to Save Chiefs

It wasn't as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and may have just rescued their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 point-scoring drives in their final 4 series to seal it in overtime.

A few huge throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the AFC standings.

This was more like the old Chiefs though, with a initial close win of the season after dropping 5 previously – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might 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 Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the identical record as the Eagles.

They appear threatening on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the NFL in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to winning close games.

He may at times be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a turnover in his own goal area – but he also passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already 5 final period comebacks this season, he understands how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most consistent with 8 victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Store

This looks one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game loaded with postseason implications.

Detroit host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a rare trip back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

The weekend’s rally kings are both holding on to playoff hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.

And how about the Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York in fact has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and looking dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional outing to maintain the first-team job when Gabriel comes back.

Yet the question will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his first league game after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 other first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It came just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but the Browns’ offence needs a director, a presence to inspire confidence.

Moreover confidence is something not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {

Eddie Martinez
Eddie Martinez

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to sharing wisdom on positivity and success.