🔗 Share this article

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

Postseason Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season while the Bears keep to surprise while they continue their victorious run.

Did Shedeur Sanders perform sufficiently on his debut NFL outing to earn the starting role in Ohio?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

Dallas found themselves trailing badly at twenty-one to zero behind versus the reigning Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest recovery ever?

The emotions of a initial home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland untimely passing may have played a part, but technically it was a combination of Prescott’s resolve and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Prescott eclipsed Tony Romo records for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning possessions (twenty-five) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown personifying his energetic display.

Philly wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time after nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with several giveaways this year – the other being another bad division defeat at the Giants.

In addition to 14 infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He'd only passed for 200-plus yards in 4 games before the weekend, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed field goal and then a fumble giving opportunity after chance to the Cowboys.

The Eagles defence is excellent, it truly is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (three losses) is now a major worry, as the pieces are all there but it's just not working.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the big situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is does barely enough – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there may be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Save Kansas City

It wasn't quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point comeback in the final period versus a strong Colts 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 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 by itself and leading three scoring drives in their last four series to seal it in extra time.

A few big passes and daring scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and just 10th in the conference standings.

That was more like the old Kansas City however, with a first one-score win of the year after losing 5 already – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful may not be done so soon.

Discussion – Can Bears Be Rulers of the North?

You can no longer ignore the Chicago Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the NFC North and at 8-3 – sharing the identical record as the Eagles.

They look dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing close games.

He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a turnover in his own end zone – but he also passed for three touchdowns 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 in contention after overcoming the New York in extra time with a huge game from Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with 8 wins in nine, but as they visit the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

It appears one of the most exciting Thanksgiving line-ups for a long time, with each game packed with postseason consequences.

The Lions welcome the Packers in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, before a unusual visit back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who began life as the Dallas Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Missouri.

Sunday's comeback kings are both clinging to postseason aspirations but have minimal margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

What about the Ravens? An ugly win over the New York in fact has them top of the division after beginning one and five and appearing finished.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

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

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Cleveland Browns head coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first professional start to keep the first-team job when Gabriel comes back.

Yet the question will keep being asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his first league game after Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other first-year quarterbacks failing to do so afterward.

It came just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Cleveland defence recording ten sacks, but Cleveland's offence needs a director, a figurehead to inspire belief.

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