Philadelphia Falter in Dallas & Mahomes Rescues Chiefs – Top Moments from NFL Week 12

The twelfth week delivered an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they extend their victorious run.

Did Sanders perform enough on his first professional outing to earn the full-time job in Cleveland?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at 21-0 behind versus the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best recovery ever?

The emotions of a first home game since a teammate’s untimely death could have been a factor, however it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that pounced on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott surpassed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an all-action display – his diving score embodying his energetic showing.

Philly squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time since 1999, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the previous being another bad NFC East loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had over 150 in the first half by himself in Texas.

However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense fell apart dramatically – with four straight kicks, a missed field goal and then a fumble giving chance after chance to the Dallas.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major worry, as the components are all there but it's just not clicking.

Sirianni’s game is all about winning the key moments, 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 discipline and possession security is failing, there may be problems in the future.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Save Kansas City

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

How significant was it? Well, the league’s Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason version of Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the second half by itself and guiding three point-scoring possessions in their final 4 series to seal it in extra time.

A few big throws and daring scrambles are typical for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference rankings.

That was closer to the former Chiefs however, with a initial close win of the season after losing five previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished just yet.

Discussion – Are Chicago Be Kings of the North?

You can no longer ignore the Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the same record as the Philadelphia.

They look threatening on each side of the field, with a defense that leads the league in picks and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning tight games.

He may at times be inconsistent, giving away a score after a turnover in his own end zone – but he additionally threw three scores and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he knows how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Store

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

Detroit host the Packers in the classic opener in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip return to Texas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.

Sunday's rally teams are each holding on to postseason hopes but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.

And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets actually has them leading of the division after starting one and five and appearing finished.

Holiday and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

  • Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (18:00)
  • Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
  • Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
  • Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had done enough in his first professional start to keep the first-team position when Gabriel returns.

But the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut league start since Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other first-year signal callers failing to do so since.

It came only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly feral Browns defence getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a presence to build confidence.

And self-belief is one thing not missing in Sanders, who informed a CBS {

Amanda Barnes
Amanda Barnes

A Canadian journalist passionate about sharing diverse cultural narratives and outdoor adventures from coast to coast.