🔗 Share this article

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

Postseason Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears continue to impress while they extend their victorious run.

Did Shedeur Sanders do enough on his first professional outing to secure the full-time job in Ohio?

We’ll examine at the pick of the action in the league.

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

The Cowboys were trailing badly at 21-0 down versus the defending Super Bowl champions, so how on earth did they engineer their equal-largest recovery in history?

The emotions of a first home game after a teammate’s tragic passing could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that pounced on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak surpassed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch drives (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his diving score embodying his energetic display.

Philly wasted a lead of 21 points or more for the initial time since nineteen ninety-nine, with only their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being a disappointing division loss at the Giants.

In addition to 14 infractions for 96 yards, the attacking malaise that affected Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive start was significant. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had over 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Dallas.

However from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence derailed spectacularly – with four straight kicks, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover giving chance after chance to the Cowboys.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in five of seven games (three losses) is now a major concern, as the pieces are all there but it's just not clicking.

Sirianni’s game is all about securing the big situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offense there is does barely sufficient – if it cannot even do that and now the composure and possession security is breaking down, there could be problems in the future.

Spotlight – Postseason Mahomes Appears Early to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's 11-point comeback in the final period against a powerful Colts team was very notable – and may have only saved their season.

How significant was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now assign the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of making the postseason, when a loss on the weekend would have dropped that number to twenty-eight percent.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and guiding 3 scoring possessions in their final 4 possessions to win it in extra time.

Some huge throws and daring scrambles are typical for Mahomes in the playoffs, but right now the Kansas City are in playoff mode – at 6-5 and just tenth in the conference rankings.

That was closer to the old Kansas City however, with a initial close win of the season after dropping five already – they won eleven of them last year so, if that confidence comes back, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished so soon.

Talking Point – Can Bears Become Rulers of the North?

You can no longer overlook the Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Rodgers, kept them top of the NFC North and at 8-3 – holding the same record as the Philadelphia.

They look dangerous on each side of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in picks and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a young quarterback now accustomed to securing tight games.

He can at times be shaky, giving away a score after a turnover in his team’s end zone – but he additionally threw three touchdowns and, with already 5 fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.

The Green Bay Packers are in close chase in the division after dominating the Vikings and the Lions are right there after beating the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 wins in 9, but as they visit the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll discover just how good they truly are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Thanksgiving in Store

It appears one of the best holiday schedules for a long time, with each game packed with playoff implications.

The Lions host the Green Bay in the classic opener in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out life as the Texans way back in the sixties before moving to Kansas City.

Sunday's comeback teams are both clinging to playoff aspirations but have minimal room for error – so this will have a post-season feel.

What about the Ravens? An unattractive win over the Jets actually has them leading of the AFC North after starting 1-5 and looking finished.

Holiday and Black Friday Games (all times GMT)

• Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
• Thursday, 27 November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
• Friday, 28 November: Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (1:20 AM)
• Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Will Shedeur Sanders Keep His Job?

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first NFL start to maintain the starting position when Dillon Gabriel returns.

But the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland signal-caller to secure his debut league start since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional rookie quarterbacks failing to do so since.

It was just the Raiders, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Browns defense recording ten tackles, but Cleveland's offence needs a leader, a figurehead to inspire belief.

And self-belief is one thing not lacking in Shedeur, who told a network {