Philly Falter in Texas & Mahomes Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

The twelfth week provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Postseason Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they extend their victorious streak.

Did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his first NFL start to secure the starting role in Cleveland?

Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the league.

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the reigning championship champions, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest recovery in history?

The emotions of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.

Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his plunging score embodying his all-action display.

Philly squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time since 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this season – the other being another disappointing division loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters by himself 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 fumble giving opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.

The Eagles defense is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about winning the big moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is manages barely enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and ball protection is failing, there could be trouble in the future.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Save Chiefs

It wasn't as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Colts team was hugely impressive – and may have just rescued their season.

How significant was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that figure to 28%.

No wonder the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the second half alone and guiding three scoring possessions in their last four possessions to seal it in extra time.

Some big throws and daring scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff form – at 6-5 and just 10th in the conference rankings.

That was closer to the former Chiefs however, with a initial close win of the season after dropping 5 previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the identical standing as the Eagles.

They look threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the NFL in picks and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young player now accustomed to securing close games.

He can at times be inconsistent, giving away a score after a turnover in his team’s end zone – but he also threw 3 scores and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in hot chase in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with eight wins in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl winners on the holiday we'll discover just how strong they truly are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

It appears one of the best holiday schedules for a long time, with every game loaded with postseason consequences.

Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the classic opener in Detroit, prior to a rare visit return to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

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

And how about the Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after beginning one and five and looking dead and buried.

Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his first NFL start to maintain the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel returns.

Yet the issue will keep being raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his debut league start after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Browns defense getting ten sacks, but Cleveland's offence requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

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

Steven West
Steven West

Lena is a tech strategist and keynote speaker, passionate about bridging innovation with real-world applications in digital ecosystems.