🔗 Share this article

Week 12 provided an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Postseason Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Bears continue to surprise as they extend their winning streak.

Did Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL outing to earn the starting job in Cleveland?

Let's take a look at the best of the week in the league.

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys found themselves trailing badly at 21-0 behind versus the reigning Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they engineer their joint-best recovery ever?

Sentiment of a initial home game since a teammate’s tragic death could have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defensive unit that pounced on uncommon errors by the Eagles.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch drives (25) with an all-action performance – his diving touchdown embodying his energetic showing.

Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being another bad division defeat at the New York.

Along with 14 infractions for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast beginning was huge. He had only passed for over two hundred yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.

However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defence is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.

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

In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn't as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the fourth quarter against a powerful Indianapolis team was hugely notable – and could have just saved their campaign.

How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a 58% chance of making the postseason, whereas a loss on the weekend would have dropped that figure to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the playoff version of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and guiding three scoring possessions in their final 4 series to seal it in extra time.

A few huge throws and daring scrambles are typical for Patrick in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and only tenth in the conference rankings.

This was more like the old Kansas City however, with a first close win of the year after dropping 5 already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished just yet.

Discussion – Can Bears Be Kings of the North?

You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A victory over the Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – sharing the same record as the Eagles.

They appear dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defense that leads the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.

He can still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his team’s end zone – but he also passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most reliable with eight wins in 9, but as they travel to the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

This looks among the best Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with every game loaded with postseason implications.

Detroit welcome the Packers in the classic opener in Michigan, before a unusual trip return to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Missouri.

The weekend’s rally kings are each holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little room for mistakes – so this will have a playoff feel.

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive victory over the Jets actually has them top of the AFC North after starting one and five and looking dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

• Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Lions (18:00)
• Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (9:30 PM)
• Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
• Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?

Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional start to maintain the first-team position when Dillon Gabriel returns.

Yet the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to win his debut NFL game after Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost feral Browns defense getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a presence to inspire belief.

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