Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Patrick Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Eagles collapse?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season as the Chicago Bears keep to impress as they continue their winning run.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his first professional start to earn the starting job in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind versus the reigning championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best comeback ever?
Sentiment of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic death may have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an all-action display – his diving score embodying his all-action display.
Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the previous being another disappointing division defeat at the Giants.
In addition to 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a missed field goal and then a turnover giving opportunity after chance to the Dallas.
Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a huge concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the key moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there may be problems in the future.
Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a strong Indianapolis team was hugely impressive – and could have just rescued their season.
How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have dropped that number to 28%.
No wonder the playoff form of Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and guiding 3 scoring possessions in their final 4 series to win it in extra time.
A few huge throws and daring runs are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at six and five and only 10th in the conference standings.
This was more like the former Kansas City however, with a first one-score victory of the season after dropping five previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.
Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the North?
You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the identical standing as the Philadelphia.
They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.
He may at times be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw 3 scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he knows how to finish the game.
Green Bay are in close chase in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with 8 victories in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll see just how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect
This looks one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game packed with playoff implications.
Detroit host the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Michigan, prior to a rare trip back to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.
Sunday's comeback teams are each clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets actually has them leading of the division after beginning one and five and looking dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Job?
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut NFL outing to keep the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
Yet the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his debut NFL start after Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It was only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Browns defence recording ten tackles, but Cleveland's offense requires a leader, a figurehead to build confidence.
Moreover confidence is something not lacking in Sanders, who told a network {