Philadelphia Stumble in Dallas & Mahomes Saves Chiefs – Top Highlights from National Football League Week 12

The twelfth week provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an epic Philadelphia Eagles collapse?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Bears keep to impress as they extend their victorious run.

And did Sanders perform enough on his first professional outing to secure the starting job in Ohio?

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

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero down versus the defending championship champions, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest recovery ever?

Sentiment of a initial home fixture after a teammate’s untimely death could have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on rare mistakes by the Eagles.

Prescott surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his energetic display.

Philadelphia squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time after 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this year – the other being another bad NFC East defeat at the Giants.

In addition to 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in four games before Sunday, he had more than one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Texas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offense derailed dramatically – with four consecutive punts, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving chance after chance to the Cowboys.

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

Nick Sirianni game 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 discipline and possession security is failing, there could be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely notable – and may have only saved their season.

How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the playoffs, whereas a loss on Sunday would have dropped that number to 28%.

No wonder the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half alone and guiding 3 point-scoring possessions in their last four possessions to seal it in extra time.

Some big passes and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season form – at six and five and only tenth in the AFC rankings.

That was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a initial close victory of the season after losing 5 already – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Rulers of the Division?

You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them top of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Philadelphia.

They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now used to securing close games.

He can still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with 8 wins in 9, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll see exactly how strong they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

It appears among the most exciting holiday line-ups for years, with every game packed with playoff consequences.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the classic opener in Detroit, before a unusual trip return to Texas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before relocating to Kansas City.

Sunday's rally teams are both holding on to playoff aspirations but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.

What about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

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

Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his first professional start to maintain the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel returns.

But the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his debut league game since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other rookie quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.

It came just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost aggressive Browns defense recording 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a presence to build confidence.

Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Sanders, who told a network {

Eddie Evans
Eddie Evans

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in casino gaming and strategy development.