Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from National Football League Week 12

The twelfth week delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Postseason Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they continue their victorious streak.

And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to secure the starting role in Cleveland?

We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

Dallas found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero behind against the defending championship champions, how exactly did they engineer their joint-best comeback ever?

The emotions of a first home fixture after a teammate’s tragic death may have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on rare mistakes by the Eagles.

Dak eclipsed Tony Romo records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an all-action display – his plunging touchdown personifying his all-action display.

Philadelphia wasted a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being a disappointing division defeat at the New York.

In addition to 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.

Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the key situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is manages just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is failing, there may be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and could have only saved their season.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have reduced that figure to 28%.

No wonder the playoff form of Mahomes turned up, passing for 235 yards in the second half alone and leading three point-scoring possessions in their final four possessions to win it in extra time.

A few big throws and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only tenth in the conference rankings.

This was closer to the former Kansas City though, with a first one-score win of the year after losing five previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be done so soon.

Discussion – Are Chicago Become Kings of the Division?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Eagles.

They look threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Williams, a emerging player now accustomed to securing tight games.

He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw 3 touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Bears are strangely the most reliable with eight victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll see just how strong they really are.

Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect

It appears among the most exciting Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with every game loaded with postseason implications.

Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a unusual visit back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

The weekend’s rally teams are each holding on to postseason hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets in fact has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and looking finished.

Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional outing to maintain the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel returns.

But the question will keep being raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his first league game after Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It was only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Browns defence recording 10 sacks, but the Browns’ offense needs a leader, a presence to inspire confidence.

And confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {

John Baker
John Baker

A fashion journalist with a decade of experience covering European trends and sustainable style.

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