The Kansas City Chiefs' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after a 31-28 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. In a thrilling game, the Cowboys, playing their traditional Thanksgiving fixture, overcame the Chiefs despite Patrick Mahomes' four touchdown passes. Mahomes, who has led the Chiefs to five of the past six Super Bowls, now finds his team with a 6-6 record and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Cowboys Capitalize, Chiefs Struggle
The Cowboys rallied from behind, leading 17-14 at halftime. A tense finish saw the Chiefs briefly regain the lead at 21-20 in the fourth quarter, but Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott held his nerve to secure the win. This victory marks the Cowboys' second consecutive win against last season's Super Bowl teams, following their triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Adding to the drama at AT&T Stadium, players from both teams faced an unexpected challenge: bright sunlight shining through the stadium's west-end windows. Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens even admitted he couldn't see a pass due to the glare. This recurring issue, caused by the stadium's east-west end zone configuration, impacts late afternoon games, particularly after daylight saving time.
Playoff Picture: Cowboys Rising, Chiefs Falling?
With five games remaining, the Cowboys are second in the NFC East, trailing the Eagles. The Chiefs, however, are struggling in the AFC West, behind both the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers. Their path to the playoffs looks increasingly difficult.
Lions Face Fourth-Down Dilemma
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Detroit Lions, adding to the Lions' woes. Questions are being raised about the Lions' aggressive fourth-down strategy and whether it's hindering their offensive unpredictability.
Bengals Back in the Hunt?
The Cincinnati Bengals, with Joe Burrow back in the lineup, are showing signs of life in the AFC playoff picture. Their recent win has sparked hope for a late-season surge.