Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Moments from National Football League Week 12

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

Postseason Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears continue to surprise while they extend their victorious streak.

Did Sanders do enough on his debut professional start to earn the full-time job in Ohio?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas were trailing badly at 21-0 down versus the defending championship winners, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest recovery ever?

Sentiment of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.

Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action performance – his diving score embodying his all-action showing.

Philly wasted a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several turnovers this season – the previous being another disappointing NFC East loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was huge. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 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 consecutive kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.

Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the big situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there may be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Early to Save Kansas City

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and may have only saved their season.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of making the playoffs, when a loss on the weekend would have reduced that number to 28%.

It’s no surprise the postseason form of Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and guiding 3 scoring possessions in their final four series to seal it in extra time.

Some big throws and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season form – at 6-5 and just 10th in the conference standings.

That was more like the former Chiefs though, with a first one-score win of the season after dropping five already – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished just yet.

Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Eagles.

They appear dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now accustomed to securing tight games.

He may still be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he additionally passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after overcoming the New York in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are strangely the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover just how strong they really are.

Preview – Exciting Thanksgiving in Store

It appears among the best holiday schedules for years, with every game loaded with playoff consequences.

The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the classic opener in Michigan, before a rare trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.

The weekend’s rally kings are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have very little margin for error – so this will have a playoff feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets actually has them leading of the division after starting one and five and appearing dead and buried.

Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?

Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut professional outing to maintain the first-team job when Gabriel comes back.

Yet the question will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his first league game since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It was only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Browns defense getting 10 tackles, but the Browns’ offense needs a leader, a presence to build belief.

And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a CBS {

Joseph Martin
Joseph Martin

A tech strategist with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and AI-driven solutions, passionate about simplifying complex tech concepts.