Philly Falter in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12
Week 12 provided an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears continue to surprise as they continue their winning streak.
Did Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL start to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at 21-0 behind versus the defending Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they produce their joint-best comeback ever?
Sentiment of a first home game after a teammate’s untimely death could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.
Prescott surpassed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an all-action display – his plunging score embodying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the other being another disappointing division loss at the New York.
Along with fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had more than one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four straight punts, a failed field goal and then a fumble handing chance after chance to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed twenty-one points in 5 of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.
Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the big moments, the defence keeps 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 may be trouble ahead.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Save Kansas City
It wasn’t as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period against a powerful Colts team was very impressive – and may have only saved their season.
How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the postseason, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading 3 scoring drives in their final four series to seal it in extra time.
Some huge throws and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and just 10th in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a first one-score win of the year after losing 5 already – they won eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Can Bears Become Rulers of the North?
You just can't overlook the Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same standing as the Philadelphia.
They look dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defence that leads the league in picks and total takeaways and, in Williams, a emerging player now accustomed to winning tight games.
He can at times be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his own end zone – but he also threw 3 scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot chase in the division after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with 8 victories in nine, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store
This looks one of the best holiday line-ups for years, with every game loaded with playoff implications.
Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the classic opener in Detroit, before a rare trip back to Texas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.
The weekend’s rally teams are both holding on to playoff aspirations but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets in fact has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his debut NFL start to keep the starting job when Dillon Gabriel returns.
Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to win his first NFL start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.
It was only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense recording ten tackles, but the Browns’ offense needs a director, a presence to build confidence.
And confidence is something not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {