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

Playoff Mahomes arrived to salvage the Chiefs' campaign while the Chicago Bears keep to impress while they continue their winning run.

Did Sanders do sufficiently on his first professional start to secure the full-time role in Ohio?

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

Analysis – Cowboys Comeback or Philly Fail?

The Cowboys found themselves down and out at twenty-one to zero behind against the reigning championship winners, so how on earth did they produce their joint-best comeback in history?

The emotions of a initial home game since a teammate’s tragic passing could have played a part, but technically it was a mixture of Dak Prescott resolve and a defence that cashed in on uncommon mistakes by the Eagles.

Prescott surpassed Tony Romo records for passing yards (now thirty-four thousand three hundred seventy-eight) and clutch possessions (twenty-five) with an all-action performance – his diving touchdown embodying his all-action showing.

Philly squandered a advantage of 21 points or more for the first time after nineteen ninety-nine, with just their second game with several turnovers this year – the previous being a bad division loss at the New York.

In addition to fourteen infractions for ninety-six yards, the offensive malaise that affected Jalen Hurts after what – for him – was an explosive beginning was huge. He'd only thrown for over two hundred yards in four games prior to the weekend, he had over one hundred fifty in the opening two quarters by himself in Texas.

However from the time the Eagles went 21-0 up their offence fell apart spectacularly – with four consecutive punts, a missed three-point attempt and then a fumble handing opportunity after chance to the Dallas.

Philadelphia’s defense is brilliant, it really is, but an offense that's not surpassed 21 points in five of 7 games (3 losses) is now a major concern, because the components are all there but it's just not working.

Sirianni’s game is all about winning the big situations, the defense maintains them in it and what offence there is does just about sufficient – if it can't even do that and now the composure and ball protection is breaking down, there could be problems ahead.

In Focus – Postseason Mahomes Shows Up Early to Save Kansas City

It wasn’t quite as dramatic, but Kansas City's eleven-point comeback in the final period versus a powerful Colts team was hugely impressive – and could have just saved their season.

How big was it? Well, the league’s Next Gen Stats now give the Kansas City a fifty-eight percent chance of making the playoffs, when a defeat on the weekend would have reduced that number to 28%.

No wonder the postseason version of Patrick Mahomes turned up, passing for two hundred thirty-five yards in the second half by itself and guiding 3 scoring drives in their final 4 possessions to win it in extra time.

Some big throws and daring runs are typical for Patrick in the playoffs, but currently the Chiefs are in playoff form – at 6-5 and just 10th in the conference standings.

That was more like the old Kansas City though, with a first one-score win of the season after losing 5 already – they secured eleven of them the previous season so, if that confidence returns, this Chiefs Kingdom might not be finished so soon.

Discussion – Can Bears Become Rulers of the North?

You can no longer overlook the Bears any longer. A victory over the Steelers, minus Rodgers, kept them first of the division and at 8-3 – sharing the same standing as the Philadelphia.

They appear dangerous on both sides of the field, with a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and total takeaways and, in Caleb Williams, a emerging quarterback now accustomed to winning close games.

He may at times be shaky, surrendering a touchdown after a fumble in his team’s goal area – but he also threw 3 scores and, with already five fourth-quarter rallies this year, he understands how to finish the game.

Green Bay are in hot pursuit in the division after overpowering the Minnesota and the Lions are right there after overcoming the Giants in extra time with a monster game from Gibbs.

The Bears are interestingly the most consistent with 8 wins in 9, but as they visit the championship champs on Thanksgiving we'll see exactly how strong they really are.

Look Ahead – Thrilling Holiday in Store

It appears one of the most exciting holiday schedules for years, with each game packed with playoff implications.

Detroit host the Green Bay in the classic curtain-raiser in Detroit, before a unusual trip back to Dallas for the Kansas City, who started out existence as the Texans way back in the sixties before relocating to Missouri.

Sunday's comeback teams are both holding on to postseason aspirations but have very little margin for mistakes – so this will have a playoff atmosphere.

And how about the Baltimore Ravens? An ugly win over the Jets in fact has them top of the AFC North after beginning 1-5 and looking finished.

Thanksgiving and Shopping Day Fixtures (all times GMT)

• Thursday, 27 November: Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions (18:00)
• Thursday, 27 November: Chiefs @ Dallas Cowboys (9:30 PM)
• Friday, twenty-eight November: Bengals @ Ravens (01:20)
• Friday, 28 November: Bears @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:00 PM)

Can Sanders Keep His Job?

Browns coach Stefanski dismissed inquiries on whether Shedeur Sanders had performed sufficiently in his first NFL outing to maintain the first-team position when Gabriel comes back.

But the issue will continue to be raised as Shedeur became the first Cleveland quarterback to secure his debut NFL game since Eric Zeier in 1999 – with 17 additional first-year signal callers failing to do so since.

It was just the Raiders, and with the help of an almost feral Browns defense getting 10 tackles, but Cleveland's offence requires a director, a figurehead to inspire confidence.

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