Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Saves Kansas City – Top Highlights from NFL Week 12

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

Postseason Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's season while the Bears continue to surprise as they extend their victorious streak.

And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his first NFL start to earn the starting role in Cleveland?

Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the NFL.

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest comeback ever?

Sentiment of a first home fixture since a teammate’s tragic death may have played a part, however it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on rare errors 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 dynamic display – his plunging score embodying his all-action display.

Philly wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time after 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the previous being another bad NFC East defeat at the Giants.

In addition to fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Dallas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble giving chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's just not working.

Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the big moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn't as extreme, but Kansas City's eleven-point recovery in the fourth quarter against a powerful Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and could have only saved their season.

How significant was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, when a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure 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 leading 3 scoring drives in their last four possessions to win it in extra time.

Some huge passes and daring scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at six and five and only 10th in the AFC rankings.

This was closer to the former Kansas City though, with a initial one-score win of the season after dropping five previously – they won eleven of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the North?

You just can't overlook the Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the identical record as the Eagles.

They appear dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now used to securing tight games.

He may still be shaky, surrendering a score after a fumble in his own goal area – but he also passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the division after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 victories in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover just how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect

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

The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, before a rare trip back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.

Sunday's rally kings 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 Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York in fact has them top of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his first professional outing to keep the starting position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

But the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Browns quarterback to secure his first NFL start after Zeier in 1999 – with 17 other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.

It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offense requires a director, a presence to inspire belief.

And self-belief is something not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a network {

Marcia Rogers
Marcia Rogers

Elara is a digital strategist with over a decade of experience in tech marketing and innovation, passionate about helping businesses adapt to new trends.