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

Week 12 delivered an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' campaign while the Bears keep to impress as they extend their winning streak.

And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to secure the full-time role in Ohio?

Let's take a look at the best of the action in the league.

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas were trailing badly at 21-0 down against the defending Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?

The emotions of a initial home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland untimely death may have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon errors by the Eagles.

Prescott eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (25) with an dynamic display – his plunging score personifying his energetic display.

Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the previous being another disappointing division loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had more than one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

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

Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is manages just about sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there may be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn't quite as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and may have only rescued their campaign.

How significant was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the playoffs, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure to 28%.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and leading 3 scoring possessions in their final four possessions to win it in overtime.

A few big passes and daring runs are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the AFC standings.

That was closer to the former Kansas City however, with a first close win of the year after dropping five already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.

Discussion – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the North?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Eagles.

They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to winning close games.

He may at times be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he additionally threw three scores and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Vikings and Detroit are in contention after beating the New York in overtime with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight victories in 9, but as they travel to the Super Bowl winners on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they really are.

Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect

It appears among the best holiday line-ups for a long time, with each game loaded with playoff implications.

The Lions host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual trip back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

Sunday's rally teams are each clinging to postseason aspirations but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets actually has them leading of the AFC North after starting one and five and looking finished.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional start to keep the starting job when Gabriel comes back.

Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his first NFL game since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It was only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly feral Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a director, a presence to build confidence.

And self-belief is something not lacking in Sanders, who told a CBS {

Christopher Russell
Christopher Russell

Elara is a gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering esports and indie game development, known for her analytical reviews.