Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Best Highlights from NFL Week 12
Week 12 delivered an incredible Cowboys rally, or perhaps an epic Eagles collapse?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they continue their winning run.
And did Sanders perform enough on his debut NFL outing to secure the starting job in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the best of the action in the league.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home fixture since Marshawn Kneeland tragic death may have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.
Prescott eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his plunging score embodying his energetic display.
Philly wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this season – the previous being a bad division defeat at the New York.
Along with fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the attacking struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd 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 Texas.
Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (three losses) is now a huge worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the key situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is manages barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be problems in the future.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn’t as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Indianapolis team was hugely impressive – and may have just saved their season.
How significant was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, whereas a loss on the weekend would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading three scoring drives in their final 4 possessions to seal it in extra time.
Some big throws and daring runs are typical for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and only tenth in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a first close victory of the year after dropping five already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be done just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?
You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the identical record as the Eagles.
They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now accustomed to winning close games.
He may still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also passed for 3 scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight victories in 9, but as they visit the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Prospect
This looks one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game loaded with postseason consequences.
Detroit host the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a rare visit back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Missouri.
The weekend’s comeback kings are both holding on to postseason aspirations but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets actually has them top of the division after beginning one and five and appearing dead and buried.
Thanksgiving 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, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut professional start to keep the starting job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
Yet the issue will keep being raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his debut NFL game since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.
It was just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost aggressive Browns defense getting 10 tackles, but the Browns’ offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
Moreover self-belief is something not lacking in Sanders, who informed a CBS {