Philly Stumble in Dallas & Mahomes Saves Chiefs – Best Highlights from NFL the Twelfth Week

The twelfth week provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Kansas City's campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they continue their winning streak.

Did Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut professional outing to earn the starting job in Cleveland?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas were down and out at 21-0 behind against the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?

The emotions of a initial home game since Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that cashed in on rare errors by the Eagles.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his diving score personifying his all-action display.

Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with only their second game with multiple giveaways this season – the previous being a disappointing division loss at the Giants.

In addition to fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four straight punts, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a major worry, as the components are all there but it's simply not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about winning the key situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is manages 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 Appears Early to Save Chiefs

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

How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the playoffs, when a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading 3 point-scoring possessions in their final 4 series to seal it in extra time.

Some big throws and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference standings.

This was more like the former Chiefs though, with a first close win of the season after dropping five previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished so soon.

Talking Point – Can Bears Be Kings of the Division?

You just can't overlook the Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – sharing the same record as the Eagles.

They look threatening on both sides of the field, with a defence that leads the NFL in picks and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now used to winning close games.

He can still be shaky, giving away a score after a turnover in his own end zone – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already 5 final period comebacks this year, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how good they really are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game packed with playoff consequences.

Detroit host the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, prior to a unusual visit back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.

Sunday's comeback kings are both clinging to postseason hopes but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.

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

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

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

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

Browns coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Sanders had done enough in his first professional outing to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut NFL start after Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defence getting 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

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

Molly Conrad
Molly Conrad

A seasoned travel writer and cultural enthusiast, sharing stories from over 30 countries with a focus on sustainable tourism.