Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL Week 12
Week 12 delivered an incredible Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Eagles collapse?
Postseason Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Bears continue to impress as they continue their winning streak.
Did Shedeur Sanders perform sufficiently on his first professional start to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the NFL.
The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?
Dallas were down and out at 21-0 behind against the reigning championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
Sentiment of a initial home fixture since Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing may have played a part, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Eagles.
Dak eclipsed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his diving score embodying his energetic showing.
Philly squandered a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the first time since 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the other being a disappointing division defeat at the New York.
Along with 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in four games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is does just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there may be trouble in the future.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Save Chiefs
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely notable – and may have just rescued their campaign.
How significant was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and leading three scoring possessions in their last 4 possessions to win it in overtime.
Some big passes and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and just tenth in the AFC standings.
That was closer to the former Kansas City though, with a first close victory of the season after dropping 5 previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished just yet.
Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the North?
You just can't overlook the Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.
They look threatening on each side of the ball, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now used to securing tight games.
He can at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already 5 final period comebacks this year, he knows how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the division after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 victories in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how strong they truly are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect
It appears among the best Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game loaded with playoff implications.
The Lions host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual visit back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
The weekend’s comeback kings are each clinging to postseason hopes but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them leading of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and looking finished.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Job?
Browns coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut NFL start to keep the starting job when Dillon Gabriel returns.
Yet the issue will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his first NFL start after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.
It was only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defence getting ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence needs a leader, a figurehead to build confidence.
Moreover self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {