Philly Falter in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Chiefs – Best Highlights from NFL Week 12

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

Playoff Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Bears continue to impress as they extend their victorious streak.

And did Sanders perform enough on his first professional start to secure the full-time role in Ohio?

We’ll examine at the best of the week in the NFL.

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero behind versus the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?

The emotions of a first home fixture since a teammate’s tragic death could have been a factor, however it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott surpassed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown embodying his energetic display.

Philadelphia wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the first time since 1999, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the other being a disappointing division loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in four games before the weekend, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four straight punts, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.

The Eagles 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, because the components are all there but it's just not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about securing the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is manages barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn’t as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period against a strong Colts team was hugely impressive – and could have only saved their season.

How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the postseason, when a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding 3 scoring possessions in their last four possessions to seal it in overtime.

A few huge throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and just 10th in the AFC standings.

This was closer to the former Chiefs though, with a initial close win of the year after dropping five already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?

You just can't overlook the Bears now. A win over the Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the same standing as the Eagles.

They appear threatening on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.

He may at times be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he knows how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are right there after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll see just how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect

It appears one of the best Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game packed with postseason implications.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a unusual visit back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.

Sunday's rally teams are both clinging to playoff hopes but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

And how about the Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York in fact has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

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

Yet the question will keep being asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his first NFL start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It was only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost aggressive Cleveland defence recording ten sacks, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a figurehead to inspire belief.

And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who told a network {

Phillip Wallace
Phillip Wallace

A seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets and data-driven insights.