Week 12 provided an epic Cowboys rally, or perhaps an massive Philadelphia Eagles collapse?
Postseason Patrick Mahomes showed up to salvage the Chiefs' season as the Bears keep to surprise as they extend their victorious streak.
And did Sanders do enough on his debut professional start to earn the full-time role in Ohio?
We’ll examine at the pick of the action in the NFL.
Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?
Dallas were down and out at 21-0 down against the reigning championship winners, how exactly did they produce their joint-best recovery in history?
Sentiment of a first home game since a teammate’s untimely passing may have played a part, however it was a mixture of Prescott’s determination and a defence that pounced on uncommon mistakes by the Philadelphia.
Prescott surpassed Romo’s records for passing yards (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (25) with an dynamic performance – his plunging touchdown embodying his energetic showing.
Philadelphia squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the initial time since 1999, with only their second game with multiple turnovers this year – the previous being another bad NFC East defeat at the Giants.
In addition to 14 penalties for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in four games before Sunday, he had over one hundred fifty in the first half alone in Texas.
However from the time the Eagles went twenty-one to zero up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four consecutive kicks, a failed field goal and then a turnover giving opportunity after opportunity to the Cowboys.
Philadelphia’s defence is brilliant, it truly is, but an offence that's not surpassed twenty-one points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge worry, as the components are all there but it's just not working.
Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the big situations, the defence maintains them in it and what offense there is manages barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there could be trouble ahead.
In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Save Kansas City
It wasn’t as extreme, but Kansas City's 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Indianapolis team was hugely impressive – and could have only saved their campaign.
How big was it? Well, the league’s Next Gen Stats now give the Chiefs a 58% chance of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to 28%.
It’s no surprise the playoff form of Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and guiding three point-scoring possessions in their last four series to seal it in extra time.
Some big throws and swashbuckling scrambles are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff form – at 6-5 and only tenth in the conference rankings.
This was closer to the former Chiefs though, with a initial one-score victory of the year after dropping 5 already – they secured 11 of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom may not be finished so soon.
Discussion – Can Bears Be Rulers of the North?
You can no longer ignore the Bears any longer. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – sharing the same record as the Eagles.
They look dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defence that leads the league in picks and total turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to winning close games.
He may still be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he also passed for 3 touchdowns and, with already 5 final period rallies this season, he understands how to get the job done.
The Green Bay Packers are in close pursuit in the division after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a huge game from Gibbs.
Chicago are strangely the most reliable with eight wins in 9, but as they visit the championship winners on Thanksgiving we'll see just how strong they really are.
Look Ahead – Exciting Thanksgiving in Prospect
It appears among the most exciting Thanksgiving line-ups for a long time, with each game packed with playoff consequences.
The Lions host the Packers in the traditional curtain-raiser in Michigan, prior to a unusual visit return to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Dallas Texans long ago in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.
Sunday's rally teams are each holding on to playoff hopes but have very little margin for error – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.
And how about the Ravens? An unattractive victory over the New York actually has them top of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and looking dead and buried.
Holiday and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)
- Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Lions (6:00 PM)
- Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
- Friday, twenty-eight November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
- Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)
Will Shedeur Sanders Retain His Job?
Browns head coach Stefanski dismissed questions on whether Sanders had done enough in his first professional outing to maintain the first-team job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.
Yet the question will keep being asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland signal-caller to win his first league game after Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie quarterbacks unsuccessful to do so since.
It came just the Las Vegas, and with the help of an nearly aggressive Browns defense getting 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire belief.
Moreover self-belief is something not lacking in Shedeur, who informed a CBS {
