Philly Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Kansas City – Top Moments from National Football League Week 12
Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?
Postseason Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they extend their winning streak.
And did Sanders do sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to earn the starting role in Ohio?
Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the league.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 down versus the reigning Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best comeback ever?
Sentiment of a initial home fixture after a teammate’s tragic death could have played a part, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that pounced on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Dak surpassed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (25) with an all-action performance – his diving score embodying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time since nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the other being another bad division defeat at the New York.
Along with fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had over 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
Yet from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the big moments, the defense maintains them in it and what offence there is manages barely sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be trouble ahead.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the final period against a strong Colts squad was hugely notable – and could have only rescued their season.
How significant was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the postseason, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that figure to 28%.
No wonder the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 point-scoring possessions in their last four series to seal it in extra time.
A few huge passes and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at six and five and only 10th in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the former Kansas City though, with a first one-score win of the season after dropping five previously – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?
You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same record as the Philadelphia.
They appear dangerous on each side of the field, with a defence that tops the NFL in picks and total turnovers and, in Williams, a young player now accustomed to winning tight games.
He may at times be inconsistent, giving away a score after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally threw 3 scores and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll see just how strong they really are.
Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect
This looks among the most exciting holiday line-ups for years, with every game loaded with playoff implications.
Detroit welcome the Packers in the traditional opener in Michigan, before a unusual visit return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.
The weekend’s comeback teams are both holding on to postseason hopes but have very little room for error – so this will have a playoff feel.
What about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets actually has them leading of the AFC North after beginning one and five and looking dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Browns coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel comes back.
Yet the question will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his debut NFL start after Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.
It came only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost aggressive Browns defence recording ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Sanders, who told a CBS {