Philly Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Top Highlights from National Football League the Twelfth Week

Week 12 delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?

Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season while the Bears continue to surprise as they continue their victorious run.

Did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to earn the starting role in Ohio?

Let's take a look at the best of the week in the league.

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

Dallas found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the defending championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest recovery ever?

The emotions of a first home game after a teammate’s tragic passing may have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Eagles.

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

Philadelphia squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple giveaways this season – the previous being a bad division defeat at the Giants.

In addition to 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.

However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a fumble handing opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.

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

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the final period versus a strong Colts squad was hugely notable – and could have just saved their season.

How significant was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, when a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that figure to 28%.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the second half alone and guiding three scoring possessions in their final 4 possessions to seal it in overtime.

Some huge passes and swashbuckling runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and only 10th in the conference standings.

This was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a initial close win of the year after losing 5 previously – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful may not be done so soon.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the North?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the same record as the Philadelphia.

They appear threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the NFL in picks and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now accustomed to winning close games.

He may still be inconsistent, giving away a score after a fumble in his own goal area – but he additionally threw three scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter rallies this year, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after beating the New York in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

This looks one of the best Thanksgiving line-ups for a long time, with every game packed with playoff implications.

The Lions host the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, before a unusual visit return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.

Sunday's rally kings are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and looking dead and buried.

Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Job?

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his first NFL start to maintain the starting position when Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to win his first league start since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other first-year quarterbacks failing to do so since.

It was just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Cleveland defense recording ten tackles, but the Browns’ offence requires a leader, a figurehead to build belief.

And confidence is something not lacking in Sanders, who told a network {

Ryan Booth
Ryan Booth

A passionate photographer and educator dedicated to sharing innovative techniques and inspiring others through visual arts.