Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Moments from National Football League the Twelfth Week

The twelfth week delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Eagles implosion?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season as the Bears keep to impress as they extend their victorious run.

Did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his first professional outing to secure the starting role in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the defending Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they engineer their joint-best recovery in history?

The emotions of a first home game since Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (25) with an dynamic performance – his diving touchdown embodying his all-action showing.

Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being a disappointing division defeat at the New York.

In addition to fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was significant. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games before the weekend, he had more than one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a missed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about securing the key situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does barely sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there could be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Save Chiefs

It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Colts squad was hugely notable – and may have only saved their campaign.

How big was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a 58% chance of making the postseason, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding three scoring drives in their final 4 possessions to win it in extra time.

A few big passes and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference rankings.

That was more like the old Chiefs however, with a first one-score win of the year after dropping 5 previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done so soon.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the Division?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the identical standing as the Philadelphia.

They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the NFL in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now accustomed to securing close games.

He can at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight victories in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll see just how strong they really are.

Preview – Exciting Holiday in Store

It appears among the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with every game packed with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a rare visit back to Texas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

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

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets actually has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Starting Role?

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional start to keep the starting job when Gabriel comes back.

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

It came just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defence recording ten sacks, but the Browns’ offense needs a leader, a presence to build confidence.

Moreover confidence is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who informed a network {

Ray Cox
Ray Cox

A Berlin-based writer passionate about uncovering hidden gems and sharing cultural narratives across Germany.