Philadelphia Stumble in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

The twelfth week provided an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Eagles collapse?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they extend their victorious run.

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

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

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were down and out at twenty-one to zero behind against the defending Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback ever?

Sentiment of a initial home game after a teammate’s tragic passing could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.

Prescott surpassed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an dynamic display – his diving touchdown embodying his energetic display.

Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the previous being a disappointing NFC East defeat at the New York.

Along with fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Texas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defense 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 key situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is manages just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and possession security is failing, there could be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn't quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period against a powerful Colts squad was hugely impressive – and may have only saved their campaign.

How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that figure to 28%.

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

Some big throws and daring runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff mode – at six and five and just tenth in the conference rankings.

That was more like the old 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 might not be finished so soon.

Discussion – Can Bears Be Rulers of the North?

You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on each side of the field, with a defence that leads the NFL in picks and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning close games.

He can still be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he knows how to finish the game.

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

The Bears are interestingly the most consistent with 8 victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

This looks one of the best holiday line-ups for a long time, with each game loaded with playoff implications.

The Lions host the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, before a rare trip return to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback kings are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut NFL start to keep the first-team job when Gabriel returns.

Yet the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his first league start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.

It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an nearly feral Cleveland defense getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire belief.

Moreover confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {

Kelly Lowe
Kelly Lowe

Elena is a sports journalist with over a decade of experience covering major leagues and international tournaments.