Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Best Moments from NFL the Twelfth Week
The twelfth week delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Kansas City's season as the Bears keep to impress as they continue their winning streak.
And did Shedeur Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL outing to earn the starting job in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the best of the week in the league.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?
Dallas found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind against the defending championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best recovery ever?
The emotions of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing could have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.
Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action display – his diving score embodying his energetic showing.
Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time since 1999, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the other being a disappointing division defeat at the Giants.
In addition to 14 infractions for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to Sunday, he had over 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.
However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight punts, a missed field goal and then a turnover handing chance after chance to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, because the components are all there but it's just not clicking.
Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is does barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be problems in the future.
In Focus – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Rescue Chiefs
It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a powerful Indianapolis squad was hugely notable – and could have only saved their campaign.
How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to 28%.
It’s no surprise the playoff version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final four possessions to seal it in extra time.
Some huge passes and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference standings.
This was more like the old Chiefs however, with a first close win of the year after losing five already – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be done just yet.
Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?
You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Eagles.
They appear dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defense that leads the league in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a emerging player now used to securing close games.
He can at times be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he additionally passed for 3 scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.
The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the division after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 victories in nine, but as they visit the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how good they really are.
Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect
It appears one of the most exciting holiday schedules for years, with every game loaded with playoff consequences.
The Lions welcome the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual visit back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
The weekend’s rally kings are both holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little margin for error – so this will have a post-season feel.
And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York in fact has them leading of the division after beginning one and five and appearing dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Job?
Browns coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional outing to keep the starting position when Dillon Gabriel returns.
Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his debut league start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional rookie signal callers failing to do so afterward.
It was only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Browns defence recording ten sacks, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a presence to build confidence.
Moreover confidence is something not missing in Sanders, who informed a network {