🔗 Share this article

The twelfth week provided an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to surprise while they continue their winning run.

And did Sanders perform enough on his debut professional outing to earn the full-time job in Cleveland?

We’ll examine at the best of the week in the league.

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest recovery ever?

Sentiment of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland untimely death could have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.

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

Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time since 1999, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the previous being a disappointing division loss at the New York.

Along with fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Dallas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four consecutive kicks, a missed field goal and then a fumble handing chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, as the components are all there but it's just not working.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is does just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there may be problems ahead.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Save Kansas City

It wasn't as extreme, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the fourth quarter versus a strong Indianapolis team was very notable – and may have only rescued their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a 58% probability of making the playoffs, when a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading three point-scoring possessions in their final 4 possessions to seal it in extra time.

A few big passes and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Mahomes in the postseason, but right now the Chiefs are in post-season form – at 6-5 and only tenth in the AFC rankings.

That was more like the former Chiefs however, with a initial one-score win of the season after dropping five already – they won 11 of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Rulers of the Division?

You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same standing as the Philadelphia.

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

He can still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he also threw 3 scores and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he knows how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are strangely the most consistent with eight victories in 9, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on the holiday we'll see just how good they truly are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

This looks among the most exciting holiday schedules for a long time, with each game packed with playoff consequences.

Detroit host the Green Bay in the classic opener in Michigan, prior to a rare visit back to Texas for the Chiefs, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

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

And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York actually has them top of the division after beginning 1-5 and looking dead and buried.

Holiday and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
• Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
• Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
• Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had performed sufficiently in his debut NFL 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 first NFL game after Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 additional rookie signal callers failing to do so since.

It came only the Raiders, and with the help of an almost aggressive Browns defence recording ten tackles, but the Browns’ offense requires a leader, a presence to build confidence.

Moreover confidence is one thing not missing in Shedeur, who informed a network {