The twelfth week delivered an epic Dallas Cowboys rally, or was it an massive Eagles implosion?
Playoff Mahomes arrived to rescue the Kansas City's campaign as the Bears keep to surprise while they continue their winning run.
And did Sanders perform sufficiently on his first NFL outing to secure the starting role in Cleveland?
Let's take a look at the best of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?
The Cowboys found themselves down and out at 21-0 behind versus the defending Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest recovery in history?
Sentiment of a initial home fixture after a teammate’s untimely death could have been a factor, but technically it was a combination of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Prescott surpassed Tony Romo records for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and game-winning drives (25) with an all-action performance – his diving touchdown personifying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with multiple turnovers this season – the other being a disappointing NFC East loss at the Giants.
In addition to fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the attacking struggles that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games before Sunday, he had more than 150 in the first half by himself in Dallas.
However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence derailed dramatically – with four straight kicks, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving chance after chance to the Cowboys.
The Eagles defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of seven games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's simply not working.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about securing the key moments, the defence maintains them in it and what offence there is manages just about enough – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and ball protection is breaking down, there could be problems ahead.
Spotlight – Playoff Patrick Appears Early to Rescue Kansas City
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 just saved their season.
How big was it? Well, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent probability of making the postseason, whereas a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that figure to twenty-eight percent.
It’s no surprise the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, throwing for 235 yards in the latter half by itself and guiding three point-scoring drives in their last 4 series to win it in overtime.
Some big passes and swashbuckling runs are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only 10th in the AFC standings.
This was more like the old Chiefs however, with a initial one-score victory of the season after losing five already – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be done just yet.
Discussion – Are Chicago Become Rulers of the North?
You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – holding the identical standing as the Eagles.
They look threatening on each side of the ball, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a emerging player now used to winning close games.
He can still be inconsistent, surrendering a score after a turnover in his own goal area – but he also passed for three scores and, with already 5 final period comebacks this season, he understands how to get the job done.
Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are right there after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.
Chicago are interestingly the most consistent with 8 victories in nine, but as they visit the Super Bowl champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they really are.
Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect
This looks one of the best Thanksgiving line-ups for years, with each game loaded with playoff consequences.
The Lions host the Green Bay in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, before a rare visit back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
Sunday's comeback teams are both clinging to playoff hopes but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An ugly victory over the New York in fact has them leading of the division after starting one and five and appearing dead and buried.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)
Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Starting Role?
Browns coach Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done enough in his debut NFL outing to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel returns.
Yet the issue will continue to be asked as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his first league start after Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.
It came only the Raiders, and with the assistance of an nearly feral Cleveland defense recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence requires a leader, a figurehead to inspire confidence.
Moreover self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {
