🔗 Share this article

The twelfth week provided an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an epic Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Playoff Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to surprise while they continue their victorious run.

And did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first professional start to secure the full-time job in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas were down and out at 21-0 behind against the reigning Super Bowl champions, how exactly did they produce their joint-best recovery ever?

Sentiment of a first home game after Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have been a factor, however it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action display – his diving touchdown personifying his all-action showing.

Philadelphia squandered a lead of twenty-one points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with multiple giveaways this year – the other being another bad division loss at the Giants.

Along with 14 infractions for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters alone in Dallas.

Yet from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after opportunity to the Dallas.

The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not eclipsed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's just not working.

Nick Sirianni game is all about winning the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offense there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is failing, there may be problems in the future.

In Focus – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Save Chiefs

It wasn't quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the final period versus a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and could have just saved their season.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% probability of making the postseason, when a loss on the weekend would have reduced that number to 28%.

It’s no surprise the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the latter half by itself and leading three point-scoring drives in their last four possessions to win it in overtime.

Some big passes and swashbuckling runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and just 10th in the conference rankings.

That was closer to the former Chiefs though, with a first one-score win of the season after losing five already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be finished so soon.

Discussion – Can Bears Become Kings of the North?

You just can't overlook the Bears any longer. A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Aaron Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the identical record as the Philadelphia.

They appear dangerous on each side of the ball, with a defense that tops the NFL in picks and overall takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now used to winning close games.

He may at times be shaky, giving away a score 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 understands how to get the job done.

Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with eight victories in nine, but as they travel to the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover exactly how good they really are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

This looks one of the most exciting holiday schedules for a long time, with each game loaded with playoff implications.

Detroit host the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip return to Texas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before relocating to Missouri.

The weekend’s rally kings are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have minimal room for error – so this will have a post-season feel.

What about the Baltimore Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the division after beginning 1-5 and appearing dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

• Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
• Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
• Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his first NFL start to keep the starting job when Dillon Gabriel returns.

Yet the question will continue to be raised as Sanders became the first Browns signal-caller to secure his debut league start since Eric Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with seventeen additional rookie signal callers failing to do so afterward.

It came only the Las Vegas, and with the help of an almost feral Browns defense getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offense requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire belief.

And self-belief is something not lacking in Sanders, who told a network {