Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Saves Kansas City – Best Highlights from NFL Week 12
Week 12 provided an epic Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Bears keep to surprise as they continue their victorious run.
And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first NFL outing to secure the starting role in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the NFL.
The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they engineer their joint-best comeback in history?
The emotions of a initial home game since a teammate’s tragic death may have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on rare mistakes by the Eagles.
Prescott surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging score personifying his all-action display.
Philly wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the other being a disappointing NFC East defeat at the New York.
In addition to fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.
However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a fumble giving opportunity after chance to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of seven games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is manages barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there could be problems ahead.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter against a strong Colts squad was hugely impressive – and could have only saved their campaign.
How big was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have dropped 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 alone and guiding three scoring drives in their last four series to win it in extra time.
Some big throws and daring scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and only 10th in the AFC standings.
That was closer to the former Chiefs though, with a first close victory of the year after dropping five previously – they won eleven of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.
Talking Point – Can Bears Be Rulers of the Division?
You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the identical record as the Philadelphia.
They look threatening on each side of the field, with a defense that tops the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now used to securing close games.
He may still be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own end zone – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he knows how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with eight wins in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll see just how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store
It appears one of the most exciting holiday schedules for a long time, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.
Detroit host the Green Bay in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip return to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
Sunday's rally teams are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have very little margin for error – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets actually has them leading of the division after starting one and five and appearing dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Browns coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut professional outing to keep the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
But the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his debut NFL start since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other rookie signal callers failing to do so since.
It was only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a director, a presence to inspire confidence.
Moreover confidence is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who told a CBS {