🔗 Share this article

Week 12 provided an incredible Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

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

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

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

The Breakdown – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at 21-0 down versus the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?

The emotions of a first home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing could have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic display – his diving score embodying his energetic display.

Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the previous being a bad NFC East loss at the Giants.

In addition to fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He'd only passed for over two hundred yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had more than one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Texas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed dramatically – with four straight punts, a missed field goal and then a turnover handing chance after chance to the Dallas.

The Eagles defense is brilliant, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not clicking.

Sirianni’s game is all about securing the key situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offense there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there may be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Colts squad was hugely notable – and could have just rescued their campaign.

How significant was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Chiefs a 58% probability of making the playoffs, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason version of Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final 4 series to seal it in overtime.

A few big throws and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in post-season mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference standings.

This was more like the former Chiefs though, with a first close victory of the season after losing five previously – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.

Discussion – Are Chicago Become Kings of the Division?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears now. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – sharing the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They look threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the league in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.

He can at times be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s goal area – but he additionally passed for 3 scores and, with already five final period rallies this season, he knows how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after beating the New York in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most reliable with 8 victories in 9, but as they visit the championship champs on the holiday we'll see exactly how good they really are.

Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Prospect

It appears one of the best holiday schedules for a long time, with each game loaded with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a rare trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.

The weekend’s rally kings are each clinging to playoff aspirations but have very little room for error – so this will have a post-season feel.

And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them leading of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and looking finished.

Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

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

Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Sanders had performed enough in his first NFL start to maintain the first-team job when Gabriel returns.

Yet the question will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his debut NFL start since Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 additional first-year signal callers failing to do so afterward.

It was just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a director, a presence to build belief.

Moreover confidence is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who informed a network {