Philadelphia Falter in Texas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Best Highlights from NFL Week 12

The twelfth week delivered an incredible Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Eagles collapse?

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

And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his debut professional start to earn the starting role in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the reigning Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest recovery in history?

Sentiment of a first home fixture since Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing could have played a part, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving score embodying his all-action display.

Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the first time since 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being a bad division loss at the New York.

In addition to fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the first half by himself in Dallas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, as the components are all there but it's just not working.

Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the big moments, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is does barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there could be trouble in the future.

In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn't as dramatic, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was very impressive – and may have only rescued their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a 58% probability of making the postseason, when a loss on the weekend would have reduced that number to 28%.

No wonder the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the second half by itself and leading 3 point-scoring possessions in their final 4 possessions to win it in overtime.

A few huge throws and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at six and five and just tenth in the conference standings.

That was more like the former Chiefs however, with a first one-score victory of the year after losing 5 previously – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished so soon.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the North?

You just can't overlook the Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the league in picks and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young player now used to winning close games.

He can at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most consistent with eight victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store

This looks among the most exciting holiday schedules for a long time, with every game packed with postseason implications.

The Lions host the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

Sunday's rally teams are each holding on to postseason aspirations but have minimal room for error – so this will have a post-season feel.

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.

Holiday and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

Yet the question will keep being raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut NFL start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen other first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It came only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost aggressive Cleveland defence recording ten sacks, but the Browns’ offence needs a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

And confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a CBS {

Timothy Riley
Timothy Riley

A seasoned travel writer and luxury consultant with over a decade of experience exploring the world's most exclusive destinations.