Cowboys' Epic Comeback and Playoff Drama Heat Up NFL Week

Comeback Cowboys, Sputtering Eagles, and a Fourth-Down Fiasco

If there’s one thing we learned this week in the NFL, it’s that no lead is safe—especially not against the Dallas Cowboys. Down 21-0 early to the Eagles, the Cowboys roared back like a Texas twister, flipping the game on its head and nearly pulling off one of the wildest comebacks of the season. Dak Prescott looked sharp, mixing in a rushing touchdown and nearly 500 yards of total offense from the team.

The Eagles’ defense was more polite than punishing, giving up chunk plays like they were handing out Halloween candy in December. Jalen Hurts looked uncomfortable as Dallas’ defense turned up the heat, especially in the second half. The Eagles’ offense, once reliable in clutch time, sputtered. And then came the moment: a controversial fourth-down decision instead of taking the chip-shot field goal. Analytics might’ve said go for it, but the scoreboard told a different story.

On the other side, George Pickens was the unexpected hero of the day. With CD Lamb having an off-day filled with drops, Pickens stepped up with nine catches for 146 yards. Not bad for someone often overshadowed in the headlines.

Mahomes Marches On, Colts Collapse in OT

Over in Kansas City, the Chiefs pulled off another late-game magic trick, knocking off the Colts in overtime. Patrick Mahomes didn’t drop jaws with stats, but his steady hand kept KC afloat in a game that felt like a playoff preview. The Chiefs' defense was the real MVP, shutting down the Colts on crucial third-down attempts and keeping Indy’s offense stuck in neutral.

Kareem Hunt nearly coughed up the game with a fumble, but the Chiefs held on. Travis Kelce’s locker room pep talk about adversity might’ve been the rallying cry they needed. The Colts, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on their chances and looked more like playoff pretenders than contenders. Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor were supposed to lead the charge, but both faded when it mattered most.

Mahomes still doesn’t look 100%—he seemed off against Denver the week prior—but the Chiefs are stacking wins anyway, thanks to a renewed commitment to the run game and a defense that’s quietly becoming elite.

Lions Roar, Vikings Flop, and the Playoff Picture Gets Wild

The Lions barely survived a scare from the Giants, needing some late-game heroics from Jameer Gibbs. Gibbs looked like Barry Sanders reincarnated, torching the Giants with 219 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown that could make highlight reels for years. The Giants hung around thanks to Jamis Winston’s surprising performance—including a touchdown pass from receiver Gunner Olszewski to Winston—but their defense ultimately couldn’t contain Gibbs.

Meanwhile in Green Bay, the Packers bullied the Vikings in a game that wasn’t as close as the scoreboard suggested. Jordan Love played it safe, likely nursing an injury, but the Packers defense did the heavy lifting. They collapsed the pocket on J.J. McCarthy, forcing multiple turnovers and exposing the rookie’s growing pains. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell tried to hide McCarthy behind a run-heavy game plan, but eventually, the kid had to throw—and it wasn’t pretty.

The Steelers also stumbled, losing to the Bears despite outgaining them in total yards. T.J. Watt passed his brother J.J. Watt in career sacks, but the defense still gave up too many key plays. The Bears, led by a scrappy defense and just enough offense, clawed their way to a win. It wasn’t pretty, but it counts all the same.

Ravens Survive, Seahawks Soar, and Patriots Patch Up Problems

The Ravens continue to win ugly, this time scraping out a 23-20 nail-biter against the Jets. Lamar Jackson struggled with pressure and pocket awareness, but the defense carried the load. They've now held opponents under 20 points in six straight games, which is no small feat. The Jets made it a game by turning to Tyrod Taylor, and honestly, he might’ve given them a better shot than Justin Fields would have.

In Seattle, it was a statement win. The Seahawks took down the Titans, and rookie receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba set a franchise record for receiving yards in a season. Kenneth Walker also saw an uptick in usage, and the ground game helped chew clock and control the tempo. For the Titans, rookie QB Cam Ward flashed potential, making key plays with his legs despite facing pressure on nearly half his dropbacks. Tennessee may finally have found their guy—but they’ll need to build a better line around him.

Elsewhere, the Patriots squeaked out a 26-20 win, but don’t let the score fool you. Their offense is still stuck in the mud. Injuries to the left side of the offensive line could cause big problems moving forward, especially if Campbell is out long-term. The rookies have helped patch things up, but the run game remains nonexistent. Joe Flacco tossed another pick-six, and the Bengals offense sputtered without Jamar Chase and T. Higgins. Their defense did what it could, but the offense didn’t hold up its end of the bargain.

Rams Roll, Raiders Regress, and Playoff Tension Builds

Sunday night belonged to the Rams, who made it a laugher with a 34-7 demolition job. Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams looked like a cheat code combo, and the Rams defense was ferocious—six QB hits, four sacks, ten passes defended. Baker Mayfield got banged up again, which is concerning given his long history of shoulder issues. The Browns were missing key players and just couldn’t keep up.

The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their descent into dysfunction. Chip Kelly got the axe as offensive coordinator, and with good reason—the offense has been lifeless. The Falcons, on the other hand, kept their playoff hopes alive with a dominant 24-10 win over a Saints team that’s clearly in transition. The Taysom Hill experiment might be running out of gas, and New Orleans' offense is sorely lacking identity.

Don’t sleep on the Buccaneers either. They’re wobbling, but they’re not out yet. Injuries and inconsistency have hurt them, but the next two weeks could decide their fate. With the playoff race heating up in both conferences, every snap matters from here on out.

Takeaways

• The Cowboys aren’t just flashy, they’re resilient. That comeback against Philly was no fluke.
• The Chiefs are finding ways to win while Mahomes finds his groove. Defense is carrying the load.
• Don't look now, but Jameer Gibbs might be making a late push for Offensive Player of the Year.
• Jordan Love may be hurt, but the Packers’ defense is peaking at the right time.
• Seattle’s young stars are growing up fast. Keep an eye on JSN and Ken Walker down the stretch.
• The Rams are hitting their stride, while the Raiders are falling apart—again.
• Playoff spots are up for grabs, and with just a few games left, every decision counts. Even the iffy fourth-down ones.