Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL Week 12
Week 12 delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Eagles collapse?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears keep to surprise as they continue their victorious streak.
Did Sanders do enough on his first professional outing to secure the starting job in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the action in the league.
The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the defending Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest recovery in history?
The emotions of a first home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing may have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Eagles.
Prescott eclipsed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his diving score personifying his energetic display.
Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several turnovers this season – the previous being another disappointing NFC East defeat at the New York.
Along with fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He'd only passed for over two hundred yards in four games before Sunday, he had more than one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a missed field goal and then a fumble handing opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is does barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there may be trouble in the future.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Rescue Kansas City
It wasn't as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely notable – and may have just saved their season.
How big was it? Well, the league’s Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the playoffs, when a loss on the weekend would have reduced that figure to 28%.
It’s no surprise the postseason form of Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half by itself and guiding 3 point-scoring possessions in their final 4 series to seal it in overtime.
A few huge throws and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season form – at six and five and only tenth in the conference standings.
This was more like the former Kansas City however, with a first close win of the year after dropping five previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be done so soon.
Discussion – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?
You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same standing as the Eagles.
They look threatening on each side of the field, with a defense that leads the league in picks and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.
He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw three scores and, with already 5 final period comebacks this year, he understands how to finish the game.
Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after beating the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.
The Bears are strangely the most consistent with eight victories in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll see exactly how good they really are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Store
This looks one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game packed with playoff consequences.
Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Kansas City.
Sunday's comeback teams are each clinging to playoff hopes but have very little margin for error – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the New York in fact has them top of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Browns coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his debut professional start to maintain the starting job when Dillon Gabriel returns.
But the question will keep being raised as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to secure his first league start since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.
It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense getting ten tackles, but the Browns’ offence requires a director, a figurehead to build confidence.
Moreover self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {