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The 6-5 Kansas City Chiefs are taking on the 5-5-1 Dallas Cowboys in a must-win Thanksgiving Day clash as both teams look to stay alive in the playoff race.
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The Cowboys have actually turned in an impressive first half defensively. There were questions about how much their improved showings the past couple of weeks were because of the caliber of opponents, considering the first was against a bad Las Vegas Raiders offense and the second game was against a struggling Philadelphia offense. However, the defense has essentially allowed just seven points to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense because the first touchdown was set up by a Dak Prescott interception that was returned deep into the Cowboys' own territory.
In the three other drives, the Cowboys' defense has forced two punts and on touchdown, with the touchdown drive coming after the Chiefs converted a 3rd and 14 and scored on a 4th and goal. Kansas City has had to earn everything on offense, which is consistent with how the Dallas defense has performed since the Cowboys got injury reinforcements and added Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson at the trade deadline.
After a Dak Prescott interception on the third play of the game, the Cowboys settled in on offense, scoring on each of their next three drives of the first half, with each drive spanning at least eight plays. That's especially important with Patrick Mahomes leading the charge on the other side, but Dallas has to make sure its drives end with touchdowns rather than settling for field goals. The good news is that wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has rebounded in a big way from his rough outing last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He's caught five of his six targets for 53 yards and a touchdown and has been consistently winning his matchups off the line of scrimmage. There should be more opportunities for Prescott and Lamb to connect in the second half, but the Cowboys' offense has shown to be balanced through the first 30 minutes. Prescott has completed at least two passes to six different players. Dallas also has 64 yards rushing, though that's largely thanks to a 43-yard touchdown run by Malik Davis. The passing game has been enough to carry the load.
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The Cowboys outscored the Chiefs in the second quarter 10-0. So far, so good for the Cowboys while the Chiefs have a little work to do. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives in the second half.
Q2 0:12 – Cowboys 17, Chiefs 14
The Cowboys get another stop through what felt like a disjointed Chiefs drive. They'll go into the half with a three-point lead.
Q2 0:27 – Cowboys 17, Chiefs 14
All kinds of flags and penalties on this drive, and the latest two are on both teams. Illegal formation on the Chiefs and illegal contact on the Cowboys. It's second-and-20 for the Chiefs.
Q2 3:10 – Cowboys 17, Chiefs 14
It's a 43-yard touchdown run for No. 43! Malik Davis gives the Cowboys the lead late in the second quarter with this big run.
Q2 4:05 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 10
George Pickens says hello. He reels in Dak Prescott's 12-yard pass for a first down.
Q2 6:03 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 10
The Cowboys get a stop and aim to take the lead before halftime, starting this drive at their own 15.
Q2 6:52 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 10
That was a lot of dancing from Patrick Mahomes, but it only ends in a sack for Jadeveon Clowney. It's third-and-26 for KC now.
Q2 10:02 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 10
Travis Kelce is coming alive. That was a nice 22-yard grab from Patrick Mahomes.
Q2 10:22 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 10
It's Brandon Aubrey time. He made that 49-yard field goal look easy as he does many of his kicks. The Cowboys cut into the deficit.
Q2 12:29 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 7
On fourth-and-4, the Cowboys go for it and covert! Jake Ferguson comes up with the key 10-yard grab.
Through two offensive drives against the Cowboys, the Chiefs have scored on 50.5 percent of their offensive drives this season, per TruMedia. That's the 10th-best mark for any NFL team in a single season since 2000.
Q2 13:51 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 7
KaVontae Turpin has been key today for Dallas. He takes another short pass for 19 yards and a first down.
Q2 15:00 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 7
We could be in for an entertaining afternoon after what both teams displayed in the first quarter. Travis Kelce's score has the Chiefs in front.
Q1 0:01 – Chiefs 14, Cowboys 7
Travis Kelce comes through just when the Chiefs need him! He connects with Patrick Mahomes for a 2-yard TD on fourth-and-goal to end a six-minute drive. The Chiefs are back in front.
Q1 0:54 – Chiefs 7, Cowboys 7
Wildcat? Wild Rice? Rashee Rice nearly takes it in there but is popped hard as the ball flies out of bounds.
Q1 2:54 – Chiefs 7, Cowboys 7
Patrick Mahomes turns into Superman and scampers for 16 yards and a huge first down on third-and-14!
