Philly Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Best Moments from National Football League Week 12

The twelfth week provided an epic Cowboys rally, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears keep to surprise as they extend their victorious streak.

And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first NFL outing to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind against the reigning Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest recovery ever?

The emotions of a initial home fixture since Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing may have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defence that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.

Prescott eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action performance – his plunging score embodying his energetic display.

Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time after 1999, with just their second game with several giveaways this year – the previous being another bad NFC East loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a turnover handing chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the components are all there but it's simply not clicking.

Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the big moments, the defence maintains 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 trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn't as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the final period against a strong Colts squad was hugely notable – and could have just rescued their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a 58% chance of making the playoffs, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading 3 scoring possessions in their final 4 series to win it in extra time.

A few big passes 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 conference rankings.

That was closer to the former Kansas City though, with a first one-score win of the year after dropping five already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Kings of the North?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same record as the Philadelphia.

They appear dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the league in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning close games.

He may still be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s end zone – but he also passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he understands how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after overcoming the New York in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.

The Bears are strangely the most consistent with eight wins in 9, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll discover just how good they truly are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

This looks one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game packed with playoff consequences.

Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a rare trip back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Missouri.

Sunday's rally teams are each clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?

Browns head coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut professional outing to maintain the starting position when Gabriel returns.

Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his first league start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.

It was just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly feral Cleveland defense getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offense needs a leader, a presence to build confidence.

Moreover self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {

Jamie Roberts
Jamie Roberts

Maya Chen is a network security specialist with over 10 years of experience in IT infrastructure and digital transformation projects.