🔗 Share this article

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

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

And did Sanders do sufficiently on his first NFL outing to secure the full-time role in Ohio?

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

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 behind versus the reigning championship champions, how exactly did they engineer their equal-largest comeback ever?

The emotions of a first home fixture after a teammate’s untimely death could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott eclipsed Romo’s marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his energetic display.

Philly squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being a bad division loss at the Giants.

In addition to 14 penalties for 96 yards, the offensive struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a major concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the key moments, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is manages barely enough – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and possession security is failing, there could be problems ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point recovery in the final period against a strong Colts squad was very notable – and may have only rescued their campaign.

How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a 58% probability of making the playoffs, whereas a loss on the weekend would have dropped that number to 28%.

It’s no surprise the playoff version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding three scoring drives in their final 4 series to win it in extra time.

Some big throws and daring scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference standings.

That was more like the former Kansas City however, with a initial close win of the season after dropping 5 previously – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that belief comes back, 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 Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the NFC North and at eight and three – holding the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They appear threatening on both sides of the ball, 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 can still be shaky, surrendering a score after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally passed for three touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter rallies this year, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in close chase in the division after overpowering the Vikings and the Lions are right there after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

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

Preview – Exciting Holiday in Store

This looks one of the best holiday line-ups for a long time, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.

Detroit host the Packers in the traditional opener in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who started out life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before relocating to Kansas City.

The weekend’s comeback kings are both holding on to playoff hopes but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets in fact has them top of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and looking finished.

Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

• Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
• Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
• Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Keep His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional outing to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

But the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to win his debut league start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It was just the Raiders, and with the help of an nearly aggressive Cleveland defense getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offense requires a director, a presence to inspire belief.

And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {