Philly Falter in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Best Highlights from National Football League Week 12

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

Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to salvage the Kansas City's campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they continue their victorious streak.

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

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

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

Dallas found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero down versus the reigning Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best comeback ever?

The emotions of a initial home game since Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Tony Romo records for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his all-action display.

Philly wasted a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being another disappointing division loss at the New York.

Along with 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had more than one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.

However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four straight punts, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed twenty-one points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.

Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the key situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there could be problems in the future.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Chiefs

It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Colts squad was hugely notable – and could have only rescued their season.

How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of making the playoffs, whereas a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the postseason version of Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and leading three scoring possessions in their last 4 series to seal it in extra time.

A few big passes and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in playoff form – at six and five and just 10th in the AFC standings.

That was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a first one-score victory of the year after losing 5 previously – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be done so soon.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Kings of the North?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the NFL in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to securing tight games.

He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he also threw three scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he knows how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are in contention after beating the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight victories in nine, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll discover exactly how strong they really are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Store

This looks among the most exciting holiday line-ups for a long time, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before moving to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback teams are each clinging to playoff aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff feel.

What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York actually has them top of the AFC North after beginning one and five and looking finished.

Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had performed enough in his first NFL start to maintain the starting job when Dillon Gabriel returns.

But the issue will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to win his debut league start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year signal callers failing to do so since.

It was just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Browns defense getting ten sacks, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a presence to build belief.

And confidence is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {

Cheryl Bolton
Cheryl Bolton

A film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in independent cinema and international film festivals.