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Cowboys Outlast Chiefs 31-28 As Thanksgiving 'Winners & Losers' Extend Streak

November 28, 2025
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The Dallas Cowboys outlasted the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28 in a thrilling Thanksgiving Day affair that included 26 combined fourth-quarter points.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott overcame a first-possession interception to throw for 320 yards on 27-of-39 with two touchdowns, showing off supreme poise and confidence to carry the Cowboys to the finish line.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes built on the early takeaway with a swing out to SMU alum Rashee Rice on the second play from scrimmage to go up 7-0. Both teams combined for three consecutive scoring drives that took up at least 10 plays each to continue the first half.

The Cowboys took the lead at 17-14 with former practice-squader Malik Davis sprinting through the KC defense for a 43-yard rushing touchdown. The defense also stepped up for timely third-down stops in the second and third quarter to limit a Chiefs offense that had been surprisingly stagnant at times this season.

Mahomes worked his magic to begin the fourth quarter by waving off the field goal unit and finding Rice for his second touchdown of the game to take a 21-20 lead.

Prescott connected with George Pickens, who had been quiet throughout the game until that point, with a pair of highlight-reel catches to bring Dallas inside the five-yard line. Prescott evaded pressure to find Javonte Williams for a touchdown out of backfield and Pickens got open for the two-point conversion to retake the lead at 28-21 with 11 minutes to play.

CeeDee Lamb’s big night was highlighted by a 51-yard completion after another Chiefs punt pinned the offense deep in their own territory. Dallas kicked a field goal to go up 31-21 a few plays later.

Mahomes escaped pressure to find Xavier Worthy on a 42-yard completion. He then hit Hollywood Brown who two-tapped in the back of the end zone to bring Dallas lead, but timely penalties and first downs set up the Cowboys victory.

Pickens and Lamb picked up more costly penalties against Trent McDuffie and the Chiefs – their ninth and tenth of the game – to keep the clock moving. A third-down slant to Pickens set up a new set of downs at the two-minute warning.

The Cowboys knelt down on the final possession to extend a three-game winning streak, including the latter two against the two conference champions from last year.

In our weekly “Winners & Losers” assessment, we begin with Dallas’ leading receiver rebounding from a disappointing performance last week.

WINNER: CeeDee Lamb

Lamb followed from his drop-filled Week 12 by being Prescott’s top target to begin the game. The All-Pro receiver hauled in four catches for 44 yards and Dallas’ first touchdown of the game in the first quarter.

He rose to the occasion after head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s vow to feed plenty of targets in No. 88’s direction.

Lamb (seven catches, 112 yards, TD) surpassed 7,000 receiving yards for his career on Thursday, becoming the 15th player – and first Cowboy – to reach that milestone in his first six seasons, per Cowboys PR. He also drew a 27-yard pass interference penalty in the third quarter, adding to the substantial amount of flags called on Kansas City.

LOSER: AT&T Stadium Curtains

Prescott missed his first couple targets in the direction the always explosive receiver Pickens, but one of them might’ve been affected by the sun shining through the glass walls of AT&T Stadium.

Pickens was drifting to the left sideline, and seemed to pick up the ball late before it landed incomplete. Granted, the ball was thrown low, but its another example of owner Jerry Jones’ avoidance of using curtains during mid-afternoon games (ask Post Malone, they use them at concerts!) and the frustrations that follow.

Pickens, the NFL’s second-leading receiver, finished with six receptions for 88 yards, coming alive in the Cowboys’ first possession of the fourth quarter with a 39-yard completion (and hurdle!) and a slant grab inside the five-yard line to set up the Williams touchdown and conversion.

WINNER: Malik Davis

Fans have questioned why flashy rookie Jaydon Blue has been another healthy scratch much of this year. We cite it as a “doghouse” visit for maturity reasons, and on Thursday, the player who is filling his role showed why has taken over the RB2 duties.

Third-year running back Davis powered up the middle for 43-yard rushing touchdown to put Dallas in front 17-14 before halftime. It is Davis’ second career touchdown (first since 2022 rookie season) and the longest rush of his career.

LOSER: Patrick Mahomes & KC Offense

The DFW-native Mahomes finished 23-of-34 for 261 passing yards and four touchdowns, but his offense stalled for much of the first half, allowing the Cowboys to hang around on the scoreboard. Kansas City punted four consecutive drives after beginning the game with two touchdowns and a 14-7 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Kelce and Rice were the ones faulting the offense with two drops on passes that would be first downs to extend a comeback effort.

The Cowboys pass rush led by Jadeveon Clowney made things difficult throughout for the three-time champ. Clowney led Dallas in tackles with six, including five solo takedowns and two sacks.

WINNER: KaVontae Turpin

Turpin was used all types of ways in Schottenheimer’s offense, but perhaps his most impactful play was a fumble recovery inside the Chiefs red zone. The play saved a drive that extended the Dallas lead to two scores at 31-21 on Brandon Aubrey’s third field goal of the game.

Turpin posted 33 rushing yards, 28 receiving yards on two catches and 93 return yards.

The Cowboys improve to 6-5-1 and remain in the hunt of the NFC Wild Card. Dallas’ Week 14 matchup with the Detroit Lions – who dropped to 7-5 with a loss to the Green Bay Packers 31-24 on Thursday – sets up an opportunity to continue climbing.

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