Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Bears keep to surprise as they extend their winning streak.

And did Sanders perform enough on his first professional start to earn the full-time job in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 down versus the defending championship winners, how exactly did they produce their joint-best comeback in history?

Sentiment of a initial home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic death may have played a part, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an all-action display – his plunging touchdown personifying his all-action display.

Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the previous being another bad NFC East defeat at the Giants.

Along with fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games before the weekend, he had over 150 in the first half alone in Texas.

However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a missed field goal and then a turnover giving chance after chance to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, because the components are all there but it's just not clicking.

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

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point recovery in the final period against a powerful Colts team was very impressive – and may have only saved their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the postseason, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 scoring drives in their last 4 possessions to seal it in extra time.

Some big throws and swashbuckling runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff form – at 6-5 and just 10th in the AFC rankings.

This was closer to the old Kansas City however, with a first close win of the year after losing 5 already – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done just yet.

Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?

You just can't ignore the Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They appear dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the NFL in picks and overall turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now accustomed to securing tight games.

He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he understands how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.

The Bears are strangely the most reliable with 8 victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Store

This looks one of the most exciting holiday schedules for years, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual visit back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.

Sunday's comeback teams are each clinging to postseason hopes but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them leading of the AFC North after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Browns coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his first professional start to keep the first-team position when Gabriel comes back.

But the question will keep being raised as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his first NFL game after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year quarterbacks failing to do so since.

It came only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost aggressive Browns defense getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence needs a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who informed a network {

Lori Bryan
Lori Bryan

Elara is a certified fitness coach and wellness advocate with over a decade of experience in helping individuals achieve their health goals.