Philly Stumble in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Best Moments from NFL the Twelfth Week

Week 12 delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Eagles implosion?

Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears continue to surprise as they continue their winning streak.

Did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his debut professional start to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the reigning championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?

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

Prescott eclipsed Romo’s marks for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (25) with an all-action performance – his diving touchdown personifying his all-action display.

Philly squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being a bad division loss at the Giants.

Along with 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a huge worry, because the components are all there but it's just not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about winning the big situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offence there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there may be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Save Chiefs

It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the final period against a powerful Colts squad was very impressive – and could have just saved their campaign.

How big was it? Well, the league’s Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on the weekend would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Mahomes turned up, passing for 235 yards in the second half alone and guiding three scoring drives in their last four series to win it in overtime.

Some big throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the AFC rankings.

This was more like the former Kansas City however, with a initial close win of the season after losing five previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful may not be done just yet.

Discussion – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?

You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They appear dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now used to securing tight games.

He can still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also threw three scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how good they truly are.

Preview – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store

This looks among the best holiday schedules for years, with every game packed with postseason consequences.

Detroit host the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Michigan, before a rare visit return to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback kings are each clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal room for error – so this will have a playoff feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets in fact has them top of the division after starting one and five and looking dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team position when Gabriel returns.

But the issue will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut league game since Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year signal callers failing to do so since.

It was only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an almost feral Browns defense getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a presence to inspire belief.

And self-belief is one thing not missing in Sanders, who told a CBS {

Carolyn Saunders
Carolyn Saunders

A tech historian and cybersecurity expert passionate about preserving and securing vintage computing systems.