Yes, I am beginning to suspect it is.
Boris gave the EU just enough encouragement to bite and for them to keep channels open by talking to them about possible concessions on NI, even getting them to be seen to open up the WDA to 'further negotiation. Boris is still taking the talks right up to and beyond the EU leaders summit, with talk of an 'agreement in principle', but with 'more hard yards to follow' etc. however knowing all the time that the DUP would be likely to scupper things at the last minute.
The question now is, how is he going to get around the Benn Act, to allow the clock to finally run down?