🔗 Share this article Philly Stumble in Texas & Patrick Saves Chiefs – Top Highlights from National Football League Week 12 The twelfth week delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys comeback, or was it an epic Eagles implosion? Playoff Patrick Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's season as the Chicago Bears continue to impress as they continue their victorious streak. And did Shedeur Sanders do sufficiently on his first NFL outing to earn the full-time role in Cleveland? Let's take a look at the pick of the week in the league. Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail? The Cowboys were down and out at twenty-one to zero behind versus the defending Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they engineer their joint-best comeback ever? The emotions of a first home fixture since a teammate’s untimely death may have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Prescott’s resolve and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Eagles. Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (25) with an all-action performance – his plunging touchdown embodying his all-action display. Philadelphia wasted a lead of twenty-one points or more for the initial time after 1999, with just their second game with several giveaways this season – the other being a disappointing NFC East loss at the New York. In addition to fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was significant. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had more than 150 in the first half alone in Dallas. However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas. The Eagles defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major worry, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking. Sirianni’s approach is all about winning the key situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is does just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be trouble ahead. Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Save Chiefs It wasn’t as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the fourth quarter against a powerful Colts squad was hugely impressive – and may have only rescued their campaign. How significant was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent. It’s no surprise the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and leading 3 scoring drives in their final four series to seal it in extra time. Some huge throws and daring runs are commonplace for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff form – at six and five and just tenth in the conference rankings. This was closer to the old Kansas City though, with a first close victory of the season after dropping five already – they won 11 of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished so soon. Talking Point – Can Bears Be Kings of the Division? You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at eight and three – sharing the identical standing as the Philadelphia. They look threatening on each side of the ball, with a defence that leads the league in interceptions and total turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing close games. He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally threw three scores and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game. Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and Detroit are right there after beating the Giants in extra time with a huge game from Jahmyr Gibbs. Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 victories in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll see just how strong they really are. Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Store It appears among the best holiday line-ups for a long time, with every game loaded with playoff consequences. Detroit host the Green Bay in the classic opener in Michigan, prior to a unusual trip return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began existence as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City. The weekend’s rally teams are each holding on to playoff aspirations but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere. What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York actually has them top of the division after beginning 1-5 and looking finished. Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT) Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00) Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM) Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM) Friday, twenty-eight November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM) Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job? Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional start to maintain the first-team position when Gabriel comes back. But the question will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his first NFL game since Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so afterward. It came just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Cleveland defence getting 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offense needs a leader, a presence to inspire belief. Moreover self-belief is one thing not missing in Sanders, who told a network {