Cowboys defeat Chiefs to vault themselves into NFL playoff picture

The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28 to win the Thanksgiving thriller and move into the NFC playoffs for good.

Dallas needed a win heading into the short week as they are currently 6-5-1 on the season. They defeated the defending conference champions by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday.

Meanwhile, after the Chiefs’ blowout home victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week, they are back to .500 at 6-6.

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It was an inauspicious start for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense, and the veteran signal-caller threw an interception on the third play of the game. Jaylen Watson jumped George Pickens’ route because Prescott’s throw was different from Kansas City’s perfect blitz.

Just two plays later, Rashee Rice, who has fitted in well with the Chiefs’ offense since returning to the offense following his early-season suspension, took possession of a convoy of blockers when Mahomes took a screen and moved the ball 27 yards for an early 7-0 lead.

However, the Cowboys quickly responded with Prescott returning on the next snap. He took 12 plays and 75 yards and found his reliable receiver CeeDee Lamb for a 15-yard strike from the back right side of the end zone to tie the game at seven points apiece.

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But as CBS broadcaster and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said, this would be a clash between the two best offenses in the league.

Patrick Mahomes and company responded with a 12-play touchdown drive for the Chiefs, and it was a crucial play on fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line after Kareem Hunt stuffed it on third-and-goal. Travis Kelce made an acrobatic catch with a big assist from the Cowboys, but the 36-year-old tight end gave his team the lead again.

After Brandon Aubrey’s field goal cut into the Chiefs’ lead, the Cowboys took their first lead of the game thanks to running back Malik Davis finding a seam and hurting Kansas City. He broke through the defense and made a 43-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 17-14.

The offensive fireworks faded in the third quarter, but the Chiefs saw another key fourth-and-goal play that resulted in seven points. While Mahomes was counting on the ball to go up and win at the highest point in the end zone, Rice was scoring his second touchdown of the game.

Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs scores in front of Malik Hooker #28 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The game was 21-20 in favor of the Chiefs when Prescott and the Cowboys took over, and although he was quiet for most of the game, George Pickens started cooking at the perfect time.

Pickens gave Dallas 50 yards on a 68-yard touchdown pass, with Prescott scrambling and finding running back Javonte Williams for a three-yard touchdown pass. However, Pickens would score the two-point try to make it a 28-21 game.

The Cowboys were able to put a three on the Chiefs, and after a great play against Lamb, Dallas found themselves close to the goal line again. But a huge play ensued when Pickens fumbled and caught a short pass on third-and-8 from the Kansas City 12-yard line, and it became clear the Chiefs were going to get the ball back. But KaVontae Turpin quickly came in and recovered the ball, allowing Aubrey to get another shot instead of a crucial turnover.

Turpin’s heroic recovery became even more important when Mahomes went seven plays and 67 yards to find Hollywood Brown for the touchdown that made the game 31-28.

The Cowboys sealed their own fate on their next drive, knowing they needed a few first downs for the clock to run out to zero.

Prescott took third and second downs just before the two-minute warning, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Pickens and getting the first down needed to get into victory formation.

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Looking at the box score, Prescott was 27-for-39 for 320 yards with two touchdown passes, while Lamb finished with a game-high 112 yards on seven receptions. Pickens had six catches for 88 yards, while Williams added 59 yards on 17 carries and 21 yards on three catches.

For the Chiefs, Mahomes went 23-for-34 for 261 yards and four touchdowns, while Rice finished with 92 yards on eight catches.

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