🔗 Share this article

Week 12 provided an incredible Dallas Cowboys comeback, or perhaps an massive Eagles collapse?

Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign as the Chicago Bears keep to impress as they extend their victorious streak.

And did Sanders do enough on his debut NFL start to earn the full-time role in Ohio?

Let's take a look at the pick of the action in the league.

Analysis – Dallas Rally or Philly Fail?

Dallas were trailing badly at 21-0 down against the defending Super Bowl winners, how exactly did they engineer their joint-best comeback in history?

Sentiment of a initial home fixture after Marshawn Kneeland untimely death may have been a factor, however it was a combination of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that cashed in on rare mistakes by the Philadelphia.

Dak eclipsed Tony Romo marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and game-winning drives (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his diving score personifying his energetic showing.

Philadelphia squandered a lead of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with several turnovers this season – the other being a bad NFC East loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen penalties for 96 yards, the offensive malaise that hit Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was significant. He had only thrown for over two hundred yards in 4 games before Sunday, he had more than 150 in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.

However from the time Philadelphia went twenty-one to zero up their offense derailed dramatically – with four straight punts, a missed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defence is excellent, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in 5 of 7 games (3 losses) is now a huge concern, as the pieces are all there but it's simply not clicking.

Nick Sirianni game is all about securing the big situations, the defence keeps them in it and what offence there is manages just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and possession security is failing, there could be problems in the future.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Appears Prematurely to Rescue Chiefs

It wasn’t quite as extreme, but the Chiefs’ 11-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Colts team was hugely notable – and may have just rescued their season.

How big was it? Indeed, the league’s advanced analytics now give the Chiefs a fifty-eight percent chance of making the postseason, when a defeat on Sunday would have dropped that number to 28%.

It’s no surprise the playoff form of Patrick Mahomes arrived, passing for 235 yards in the latter half by itself and guiding three scoring drives in their final four series to win it in extra time.

Some huge throws and daring scrambles are typical for Patrick in the postseason, but currently the Kansas City are in post-season mode – at six and five and only tenth in the conference standings.

That was closer to the old Chiefs however, with a first close victory of the season after losing five previously – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Kansas City faithful might not be finished just yet.

Talking Point – Can Bears Be Rulers of the North?

You just can't overlook the Chicago Bears now. A victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, without Aaron Rodgers, maintained them top of the division and at eight and three – holding the same standing as the Eagles.

They appear threatening on both sides of the field, with a defense that tops the league in picks and overall turnovers and, in Williams, a young quarterback now used to winning close games.

He may still be inconsistent, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he also threw three touchdowns and, with already five final period rallies this season, he knows how to get the job done.

The Green Bay Packers are in hot pursuit in the NFC North after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the Giants in overtime with a monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs.

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

Look Ahead – Exciting Holiday in Store

This looks among the best Thanksgiving schedules for a long time, with each game packed with playoff consequences.

The Lions welcome the Green Bay in the traditional opener in Michigan, prior to 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.

The weekend’s rally teams are both holding on to playoff aspirations but have very little room for error – so this will have a playoff feel.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets in fact has them leading of the AFC North after starting one and five and looking finished.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

• Thursday, 27 November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Kansas City Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (21:30)
• Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (1:20 AM)
• Friday, 28 November: Chicago Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (20:00)

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away questions on whether Shedeur Sanders had done sufficiently in his debut professional outing to keep the starting job when Dillon Gabriel returns.

But the question will continue to be asked as Sanders became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his debut league game after Zeier in nineteen ninety-nine – with 17 other rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so since.

It came only the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an almost aggressive Browns defence recording 10 sacks, but Cleveland's offense needs a director, a presence to inspire belief.

And confidence is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who told a network {