Cowboys Outlast Chiefs 31–28 in Thanksgiving Thriller

ARLINGTON, TX – Thanksgiving is about family, food, and tradition. In a game that delivered on all fronts, the Dallas Cowboys put together a relentless, gutsy performance, surviving a scoring duel with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to secure a 31-28 victory at AT&T Stadium on Thursday.

The Cowboys have won three straight, knocking off both of last season’s Super Bowl teams in the past five days.

Before the aroma of turkey could fully settle, the Chiefs opened the game with an interception when Jaylen Watson picked off Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, which led to Mahomes connecting with Rashee Rice to put Kansas City up 7-0.

The Cowboys answered immediately, pounding out a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with Prescott finding CeeDee Lamb in the end zone to tie the game – Lamb finished the day with 112 yards on seven catches.

Before halftime, a long run by Malik Davis turned into a 43-yard touchdown, giving Dallas a 17-14 lead heading into the break.

Dallas extended their lead early in the third quarter with a field goal, making it 20-14. The Cowboys added another score when a scrambling Prescott found Javonte Williams for the touchdown, and then the quarterback connected with George Pickens for a two-point conversion to extend the lead to 31-21.

Kansas City refused to back down and fought back. Despite Mahomes dealing with injuries, he was almost tripped in the backfield by Quinnen Williams, but would hit Hollywood Brown for the 10-yard score, making it 31-28 with 3:17 left.

Prescott and the Cowboys did not allow Mahomes to get a chance to tie or win the game late. Not this time.

“On top of where we put ourselves right before these games and just the place that we’re in, having to get these wins against two elite teams,” Prescott said. “I mean, two teams that played in the Super Bowl last year. Last year’s last year, but you’re talking about two organizations that obviously know how to win and we just beat them both in two great games.

Key observations

• Dak Prescott shines — Two touchdown passes, over 320 passing yards.
• Cowboys defense holds — barely — After two fourth-down touchdown drives by Mahomes, Dallas made the final stops and ran out the clock.
• Playoff stakes rising — The Cowboys keep momentum alive; the Chiefs enter must-win mode with crucial games ahead.

“We've got to continue with the same mentality,” Lamb said. “Obviously it's been a short week. Now we get a little time to rest, a regular week so to speak. We get our bodies back, relax, build, grow, get better and on to next week.”

This Thanksgiving classic was a statement win for Dallas — gutsy, gritty, and full of drama. If the Cowboys keep playing like this, they’ll be a tough out down the stretch.