🔗 Share this article

The twelfth week delivered an incredible Dallas Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Eagles collapse?

Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season as the Bears continue to impress as they extend their winning streak.

And did Sanders do enough on his debut professional outing to earn the starting role in Cleveland?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas were trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the defending championship champions, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest recovery ever?

Sentiment of a first home game after a teammate’s untimely passing may have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott surpassed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (25) with an all-action performance – his diving touchdown embodying his all-action showing.

Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time since 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the other being a bad NFC East defeat at the Giants.

In addition to 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the attacking struggles that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to Sunday, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters alone in Texas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a fumble handing chance after chance to the Dallas.

The Eagles defense is excellent, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed 21 points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.

Sirianni’s approach is all about securing the key moments, the defense maintains them in it and what offence there is manages just about enough – if it cannot even do that and now the discipline and possession security is failing, there could be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn't as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point comeback in the final period against a strong Colts team was hugely notable – and may have only saved their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the postseason, when a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to 28%.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 point-scoring possessions in their last 4 possessions to seal it in extra time.

Some big throws and daring runs are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and just 10th in the conference rankings.

This was closer to the old Chiefs though, with a initial one-score victory of the season after losing five already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the Division?

You just can't ignore the Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at 8-3 – holding the identical standing as the Philadelphia.

They look threatening on each side of the field, with a defense that tops the league in picks and overall turnovers and, in Caleb Williams, a young player now used to winning close games.

He may at times be inconsistent, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his own goal area – but he additionally passed for three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this year, he understands how to get the job done.

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

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they travel to the championship champs on the holiday we'll discover exactly how good they really are.

Preview – Exciting Holiday in Store

It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for years, with every game packed with postseason implications.

Detroit welcome the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a rare trip back to Texas 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 very little room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and looking finished.

Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

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

Can Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had performed enough in his first professional outing to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel returns.

Yet the issue will keep being raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his debut league start since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 other first-year signal callers failing to do so afterward.

It was just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly aggressive Browns defence getting 10 tackles, but the Browns’ offense needs a director, a presence to inspire confidence.

Moreover self-belief is something not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {