Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week provided an epic Cowboys rally, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Kansas City's season as the Chicago Bears continue to surprise as they extend their winning run.
And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his debut NFL outing to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?
We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?
The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down against the reigning championship winners, how exactly did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?
Sentiment of a first home fixture since Marshawn Kneeland untimely death may have played a part, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on rare errors by the Philadelphia.
Dak surpassed Romo’s records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (25) with an dynamic display – his plunging touchdown embodying his energetic showing.
Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being another bad division loss at the Giants.
Along with 14 infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half alone in Texas.
However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed twenty-one points in 5 of seven games (three losses) is now a huge worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.
Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the big situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offence there is manages barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there may be problems ahead.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn’t quite as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Indianapolis team was hugely notable – and may have just rescued their campaign.
How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% chance of making the postseason, when a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.
No wonder the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and guiding 3 point-scoring drives in their last four possessions to seal it in extra time.
A few big throws and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season form – at 6-5 and just 10th in the AFC standings.
This was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a initial one-score win of the season after dropping five already – they won eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished so soon.
Discussion – Are Chicago Become Kings of the Division?
You can no longer overlook the Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the identical standing as the Eagles.
They look dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defense that leads the league in picks and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to securing close games.
He can still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally passed for 3 scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in hot chase in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after beating the New York in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight victories in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Prospect
It appears one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.
The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual visit back to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.
Sunday's rally teams are each holding on to playoff hopes but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them leading of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and appearing finished.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)
Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional outing to maintain the starting position when Gabriel returns.
But the question will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut league game since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It was just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Browns defence getting ten sacks, but Cleveland's offence needs a leader, a presence to inspire belief.
Moreover confidence is something not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a network {