🔗 Share this article

The twelfth week provided an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Eagles collapse?

Postseason Patrick Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to surprise as they extend their winning run.

Did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first professional start to secure the starting role in Ohio?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas were down and out at twenty-one to zero behind against the defending championship champions, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best comeback in history?

Sentiment of a first home game since a teammate’s untimely death could have played a part, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Eagles.

Prescott eclipsed Romo’s marks for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his plunging score embodying his all-action showing.

Philly squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time since 1999, with only their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being a bad NFC East loss at the New York.

In addition to 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games before Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half alone in Dallas.

However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense derailed spectacularly – with four straight punts, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not working.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the key moments, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is does barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there could be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Save Chiefs

It wasn't as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Colts squad was very impressive – and could have just rescued their season.

How big was it? Indeed, the NFL's advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the playoffs, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and leading three point-scoring possessions in their final four possessions to seal it in extra time.

A few huge passes and daring runs are typical for Mahomes in the postseason, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference rankings.

This was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a first one-score victory of the season after dropping 5 already – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be done so soon.

Discussion – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the Division?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the same record as the Eagles.

They appear dangerous on each side of the field, with a defence that tops the league in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now used to securing close games.

He can at times be shaky, surrendering a score after a turnover in his own goal area – but he additionally passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already five final period rallies this year, he understands how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in hot chase in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and Detroit are in contention after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are strangely the most consistent with 8 victories in nine, but as they travel to the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll see just how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

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

The Lions host the Green Bay in the classic opener in Michigan, prior to a rare visit return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.

The weekend’s rally teams are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have minimal margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.

What about the Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets in fact has them top of the AFC North after beginning one and five and looking dead and buried.

Holiday and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

• Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
• Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
• Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
• Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed enough in his debut NFL outing to maintain the starting job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

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

It was only the Raiders, and with the help of an nearly feral Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but the Browns’ offence requires a director, a presence to build belief.

Moreover confidence is something not missing in Shedeur, who told a CBS {