Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

Week 12 provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's season as the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they continue their victorious streak.

Did Sanders do sufficiently on his first professional outing to earn the full-time 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 were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback ever?

Sentiment of a initial home fixture after a teammate’s untimely passing could have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.

Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving touchdown embodying his all-action showing.

Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the previous being a disappointing NFC East loss at the New York.

Along with 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Dallas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence derailed dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not working.

Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the key moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is does barely sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there may be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Colts squad was very notable – and may have just rescued their season.

How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the playoffs, when a loss on the weekend would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason form of Mahomes turned up, passing for 235 yards in the latter half alone and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final 4 possessions to seal it in overtime.

A few big throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff form – at six and five and just tenth in the AFC standings.

This was closer to the former Kansas City though, with a first one-score victory of the year after dropping five already – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished so soon.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the North?

You can no longer overlook the Chicago Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on each side of the field, with a defence that tops the NFL in picks and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to securing close games.

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

The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit 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 victories in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

This looks one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game packed with playoff implications.

Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the classic opener in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Texans way back in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.

The weekend’s comeback teams are both holding on to postseason aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them leading of the division after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had performed enough in his first NFL outing to keep the first-team job when Gabriel comes back.

Yet the question will keep being raised as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut NFL game since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an nearly feral Browns defense recording ten sacks, but Cleveland's offense requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire belief.

And self-belief is one thing not missing in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {

Ricky Smith
Ricky Smith

A luxury lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience covering high-end brands and travel across Europe.