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

Playoff Patrick Mahomes showed up to rescue the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to surprise while they continue their winning streak.

And did Sanders perform enough on his first NFL start to earn the full-time role in Cleveland?

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

The Breakdown – Cowboys Comeback or Eagles Collapse?

Dallas were down and out at twenty-one to zero down against the reigning Super Bowl winners, so how on earth did they produce their equal-largest comeback in history?

The emotions of a initial home game since Marshawn Kneeland tragic death could have been a factor, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott determination and a defensive unit that cashed in on uncommon errors by the Philadelphia.

Dak eclipsed Romo’s marks for yards thrown (now 34,378) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his diving score personifying his energetic showing.

Philly wasted a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after 1999, with just their second game with multiple giveaways this season – the other being a bad division loss at the Giants.

Along with fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that hit Hurts after what – for him – was an fast start was huge. He had only thrown for 200-plus yards in 4 games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.

Yet from the time Philadelphia went 21-0 up their offence fell apart dramatically – with four straight punts, a failed three-point attempt and then a turnover handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defense is excellent, it really is, but an offence that's not eclipsed twenty-one points in five of 7 games (three losses) is now a huge concern, because the pieces are all there but it's simply not working.

Nick Sirianni approach is all about winning the key situations, the defense keeps them in it and what offence there is manages just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the discipline and possession security is breaking down, there may be trouble ahead.

In Focus – Playoff Patrick Shows Up Prematurely to Rescue Kansas City

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but the Chiefs’ eleven-point recovery in the fourth quarter versus a powerful Indianapolis team was hugely notable – and may have only rescued their season.

How big was it? Well, the NFL's Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent probability of reaching the postseason, whereas a loss on Sunday would have reduced that number to twenty-eight percent.

No wonder the postseason form of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half alone and leading three point-scoring drives in their final 4 series to seal it in extra time.

A few huge passes and swashbuckling scrambles are commonplace for Patrick in the playoffs, but right now the Chiefs are in playoff mode – at six and five and only 10th in the conference standings.

That was more like the old Kansas City though, with a initial close victory of the season after dropping five already – they secured 11 of them last year so, if that belief returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished just yet.

Discussion – Can Bears Become Rulers of the Division?

You just can't ignore the Chicago Bears any longer. A win over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, maintained them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same record as the Eagles.

They look dangerous on both sides of the ball, with a defence that tops the league in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging player now accustomed to securing tight games.

He can still be shaky, giving away a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s end zone – but he additionally passed for three touchdowns and, with already five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, he knows how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in close pursuit in the NFC North after dominating the Minnesota and the Lions are in contention after overcoming the New York in overtime with a monster game from Gibbs.

Chicago are interestingly the most reliable with 8 victories in nine, but as they travel to the championship winners on the holiday we'll discover exactly how strong they really are.

Preview – Thrilling Holiday in Prospect

It appears among the most exciting holiday schedules for a long time, with every game packed with playoff consequences.

Detroit welcome the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, prior to a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Chiefs, who began life as the Dallas Texans way back in the 1960s before moving to Kansas City.

The weekend’s rally kings are each holding on to playoff hopes but have minimal room for mistakes – so this will have a post-season atmosphere.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly victory over the Jets actually has them top of the AFC North after beginning one and five and appearing dead and buried.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Games (all times GMT)

• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Packers @ Detroit Lions (6:00 PM)
• Thursday, twenty-seven November: Chiefs @ Cowboys (21:30)
• Friday, 28 November: Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens (01:20)
• Friday, twenty-eight November: Bears @ Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Retain His Job?

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski batted away inquiries on whether Sanders had done enough in his debut professional outing to maintain the starting job when Dillon Gabriel comes back.

Yet the question will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Browns quarterback to win his debut league game after Zeier in 1999 – with seventeen additional rookie signal callers unsuccessful to do so afterward.

It came just the Las Vegas, and with the assistance of an nearly aggressive Cleveland defence recording 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

Moreover self-belief is one thing not lacking in Sanders, who informed a network {