Philly Falter in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL Week 12
The twelfth week delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Eagles implosion?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season as the Bears keep to surprise while they extend their victorious streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his first NFL start to earn the full-time job in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down versus the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best comeback in history?
The emotions of a first home game after a teammate’s untimely passing could have played a part, however it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Dak surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action display – his diving score personifying his all-action showing.
Philadelphia 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 year – the previous being another disappointing division loss at the New York.
In addition to fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.
Yet from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving chance after chance to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a major worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.
Sirianni’s game is all about securing the key moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is manages barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble in the future.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Save Kansas City
It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter against a powerful Colts squad was hugely impressive – and may have just rescued their season.
How big was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that figure to 28%.
No wonder the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half by itself and leading three scoring drives in their final 4 series to seal it in extra time.
Some huge throws and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the former Chiefs however, with a first one-score win of the season after dropping 5 already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done so soon.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Become Kings of the North?
You just can't ignore the Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the identical record as the Eagles.
They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the league in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young player now accustomed to winning close games.
He can still be shaky, giving away a score after a turnover in his own goal area – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the division after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with 8 victories in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how strong they truly are.
Preview – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store
It appears one of the best Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game loaded with postseason implications.
Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual trip back to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.
The weekend’s comeback kings are each holding on to postseason hopes but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them top of the division after starting one and five and looking dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Can Sanders Keep His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional outing to maintain the starting position when Gabriel comes back.
But the question will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to win his first NFL start since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional rookie quarterbacks failing to do so since.
It was only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defense recording 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a presence to inspire belief.
Moreover confidence is something not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {