Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

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

Postseason Patrick Mahomes showed up to salvage the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears keep to surprise while they continue their victorious streak.

And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first NFL outing to earn the full-time job in Ohio?

We’ll examine at the pick of the action in the NFL.

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

Dallas were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down against the defending Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest comeback ever?

Sentiment of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving score embodying his all-action showing.

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

Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning 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.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a missed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

The Eagles defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a huge worry, as the components are all there but it's just not working.

Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the key moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is failing, there may be problems ahead.

In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn't quite as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the fourth quarter versus a strong Colts team was very notable – and could have just rescued their season.

How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, when a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to 28%.

It’s no surprise the postseason version of Mahomes turned up, passing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and leading three point-scoring drives in their final four series to seal it in extra time.

Some big throws and daring runs are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference rankings.

This was closer to the former Kansas City however, with a first one-score victory of the season after dropping five previously – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the Division?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at 8-3 – sharing the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Williams, a emerging player now used to winning tight games.

He may still be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he also threw three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he knows how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most consistent with 8 victories in 9, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll see just how strong they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Prospect

It appears one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game loaded with playoff consequences.

Detroit host the Packers in the traditional opener in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

Sunday's rally teams are both clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

What about the Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets in fact has them top of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.

Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay 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: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his debut NFL outing to keep the first-team job when Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will keep being asked as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut NFL start since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other rookie signal callers failing to do so since.

It was just the Raiders, and with the help of an nearly feral Cleveland defense getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offense requires a director, a figurehead to inspire belief.

And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {

Theresa Nielsen
Theresa Nielsen

A certified financial planner with over 15 years of experience in investment banking and personal wealth management.