Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Patrick Rescues Kansas City – Top Highlights from National Football League Week 12

Week 12 provided an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Postseason Mahomes showed up to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Bears keep to impress as they extend their winning streak.

Did Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL start to secure the full-time role in Ohio?

We’ll examine at the pick of the week in the league.

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas were down and out at twenty-one to zero down against the reigning Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they produce their equal-largest comeback ever?

The emotions of a initial home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action display – his plunging score personifying his energetic display.

Philadelphia wasted 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 a disappointing NFC East defeat at the Giants.

Along with 14 infractions for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a fumble giving chance after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there may be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the final period against a powerful Colts team was hugely notable – and may have only saved their season.

How significant was it? Well, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and guiding three point-scoring possessions in their final 4 series to win it in extra time.

A few big passes and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and just tenth in the AFC rankings.

This was more like the former Chiefs though, with a first one-score win of the season after losing five already – they won eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the North?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – sharing the same standing as the Eagles.

They look dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defense that tops the league in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning tight games.

He can at times be shaky, giving away a score after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also passed for three scores and, with already five final period rallies this season, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the division after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after beating the New York in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.

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

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

This looks among the most exciting holiday schedules for a long time, with each game packed with playoff consequences.

Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a unusual visit return to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans way back in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback teams are each clinging to playoff hopes but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the New York actually has them top of the division after starting 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.

Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
  • Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

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

Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his debut NFL start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional first-year quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.

It came just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Cleveland defence recording ten tackles, but the Browns’ offence needs a director, a figurehead to build belief.

Moreover self-belief is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who informed a CBS {

Ralph Huffman
Ralph Huffman

A quantum physicist and tech enthusiast sharing discoveries and practical guides on quantum innovations.