🔗 Share this article

The twelfth week delivered an epic Cowboys comeback, or was it an massive Philadelphia Eagles implosion?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears continue to surprise while they extend their winning streak.

And did Shedeur Sanders perform enough on his first NFL outing to earn the starting role in Cleveland?

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

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down versus the reigning championship winners, how exactly did they engineer their joint-best comeback ever?

Sentiment of a initial home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland tragic passing may have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s determination and a defensive unit that pounced on rare errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his all-action display.

Philly wasted a advantage of twenty-one points or more for the initial time after 1999, with only their second game with several giveaways this season – the previous being a bad NFC East loss at the Giants.

In addition to fourteen penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half by himself in Dallas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing chance after opportunity to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defense is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not surpassed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, as the components are all there but it's just not clicking.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big moments, the defense maintains them in it and what offence there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble ahead.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t quite as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point recovery in the final period against a strong Indianapolis squad was hugely impressive – and may have just saved their campaign.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s Next Gen Stats now assign the Kansas City a 58% probability of making the playoffs, when a loss on the weekend would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for 235 yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final 4 series to win it in extra time.

A few huge passes and daring scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the conference standings.

This was more like the former Kansas City however, with a first one-score win of the season after dropping 5 already – they secured eleven of them last year so, if that belief comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be done so soon.

Talking Point – Are Chicago Be Kings of the North?

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

They look threatening on both sides of the ball, with a defence that leads the NFL in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing close games.

He may still be inconsistent, giving away a score after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally passed for three touchdowns and, with already five final period comebacks this season, he understands how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are right there after beating the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with eight wins in nine, but as they visit the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how good they truly are.

Preview – Exciting Holiday in Prospect

It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving schedules for years, with each game packed with playoff consequences.

Detroit host the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the sixties before moving to Missouri.

Sunday's rally kings are both clinging to postseason hopes but have minimal room for error – so this will have a post-season feel.

And how about the Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York actually has them top of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and appearing finished.

Holiday and Black Friday Fixtures (all times GMT)

• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
• Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
• Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Starting Role?

Browns coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut professional outing to keep the starting position when Gabriel comes back.

But the question will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his first league game since Zeier in 1999 – with 17 other first-year signal callers failing to do so since.

It was only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Browns defense getting ten tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a leader, a presence to inspire belief.

Moreover confidence is something not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {