Philly Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

The twelfth week provided an incredible Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's season as the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they continue their victorious streak.

And did Sanders do enough on his debut NFL start to secure the starting job in Ohio?

Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the NFL.

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind against the reigning championship champions, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback in history?

The emotions of a first home fixture since a teammate’s tragic passing may have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an dynamic display – his diving touchdown personifying his energetic display.

Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with several turnovers this season – the previous being a bad NFC East defeat at the Giants.

In addition to 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

The Eagles defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a major worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is manages barely 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 Shows Up Prematurely to Save Kansas City

It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period against a strong Colts team was hugely notable – and could have only saved their season.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading three point-scoring drives in their final 4 possessions to win it in extra time.

Some big throws and daring runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the AFC rankings.

This was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a first one-score victory of the year after losing five previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished so soon.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They appear threatening on each side of the field, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning close games.

He may at times be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he additionally passed for three scores and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he knows how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in hot chase in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they really are.

Preview – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect

It appears among the best Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with every game loaded with postseason implications.

Detroit host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a rare visit return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Texans long ago in the sixties before moving to Missouri.

The weekend’s comeback kings are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a post-season feel.

What about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets actually has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his first professional start to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will keep being asked as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to secure his debut league start since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional first-year quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.

It was only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defence getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offense requires a director, a figurehead to inspire belief.

And self-belief is something not missing in Sanders, who informed a CBS {

Desiree Stewart
Desiree Stewart

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in the online casino industry, specializing in slot machine strategies.