In a thrilling Thanksgiving game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28 in one of the most dramatic games of the NFL season thus far.  It was a game full of momentum swings, clutch plays, and late-game intensity that left fans gasping.

A Back-and-Forth Affair from the Start

The Chiefs struck first.  On Dallas’ third play of the game, a blitz forced an early interception, but the Cowboys defense failed to capitalize.  Instead, the Chiefs converted the takeaway into a 27-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Rashee Rice, putting Kansas City ahead 7-0 in a flash. 

The Cowboys reacted swiftly.  Dak Prescott engineered a drive that ended with a touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb, who finished with 112 receiving yards.  That score tied things up at 7-7. 

The lead changed hands again before the end of the first quarter, when Mahomes connected with veteran tight end Travis Kelce for a 2-yard touchdown, giving KC a 14-7 lead.

Dallas Strikes Back — Taking Control

In the second quarter, the Cowboys gradually gained control.  Prescott led a steady march downfield, culminating in a Lamb touchdown to tie the game.  On the Chiefs’ next drive, they had to settle for a field goal, cutting their half-time lead to 17-14 as Dallas went into the locker room ahead. 

In the third quarter, defenses tightened and momentum slowed.  Dallas added a 3-pointer, bringing their lead to 20-14.  Meanwhile, Kansas City struggled to convert drives into points, despite flashes of offensive creativity.

Fourth Quarter Fireworks — Cowboys Hold On

The fourth quarter was all action.  Early on, Prescott and company extended their lead to 28-21 with a bruising 43-yard rushing touchdown from Malik Davis.  Running back Javonte Williams also contributed to the scoring. 

Kansas City would not go down quietly.  With 11 minutes to go, Mahomes scrambled out of a collapsing pocket and fired a 42-yard pass to Xavier Worthy.  That big play set up a 10-yard touchdown for Hollywood Brown, cutting the lead to 31-28 with just over three minutes remaining.

What This Win Means for Dallas (and Others)

The Cowboys improved to 6–5–1 with this win — their first three-game winning streak since 2023. 

They knocked off two of last season’s Super Bowl teams (the Chiefs and the Eagles) in short succession — a statement for their playoff ambitions. 

The comeback and execution under pressure reinforced the belief that Dallas has what it takes to compete deep into the season, as long as they continue converting in clutch moments. 

But when it counted the most, the Cowboys’ offense—and their officials’ late calls—held.  After a couple of pass-interference penalties against the Chiefs, Prescott completed a 13-yard pass to George Pickens to convert on third-and-2.  That first down sealed the game, as the Cowboys ran out the clock and emerged victorious.

A Setback For Kansas City but Not the End

The loss drops the Chiefs to 6-6, complicating their playoff prospects significantly.  While Mahomes threw four touchdown passes in a spectacular performance, Kansas City was undone by key penalties, disruptive pass rushes, and a secondary that couldn’t hold in the red zone. 

In addition, Kansas City lost two offensive linemen to injury during the game — a right tackle and a rookie left tackle — putting more pressure on front-line protection in the coming games. 

Now, the Chiefs will need near-perfect football for the rest of the season.  Any stumbles, and their playoff hopes may fade quickly.

A Thanksgiving Win to Remember, a Season Reset

For the Cowboys, this 31-28 victory over Kansas City is more than just another win; it could be the spark this team needs to believe in itself.  With momentum, offense, and a newfound confidence, Dallas could be dangerous down the stretch.

Despite the loss, the Chiefs did not collapse — far from it.  Mahomes demonstrated why he is among the elite, and the offense remained dynamic.  But the errors, injuries, and some unlucky breaks remind us that in the NFL, it’s not just about making big plays; it’s also about minimizing mistakes when they count the most.

The holiday is over.  The real fight begins now.