On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, Dak Prescott didn’t just play well—he delivered a performance for the ages, leading the Dallas Cowboys to a stunning 31-28 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The win wasn’t just another Thursday night thriller—it was a statement. With the holiday crowd roaring and the nation watching, Prescott outplayed Patrick Mahomes in a quarterback duel that will be replayed for years. And for the first time since Week 5, the Cowboys were above .500 at 7-5-1, while the Chiefs’ playoff hopes took a brutal hit, dropping to 6-7 after their sixth road loss of the season.
From Trailing to Leading: The Game’s Turning Point
The Chiefs came out swinging, scoring 14 unanswered points in the first quarter behind a pair of Mahomes-to-Travis Kelce touchdowns. It felt like déjà vu: Mahomes, the magician of the fourth quarter, was already working his magic early. But the Cowboys didn’t fold. Instead, Prescott answered with a 12-play, 78-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb. Then came the second quarter—a quiet storm. Dallas scored 10 points on a pair of Greg Zuerlein field goals, including a 52-yarder that silenced the Chiefs’ sideline. Meanwhile, Kansas City went scoreless for 30 straight minutes. That’s not a typo. Zero points from the 11:17 mark of the first quarter until the 12:03 mark of the fourth. The Chiefs’ offense, usually a well-oiled machine, looked disjointed, overmatched, and strangely passive.
Third Quarter Silence and Fourth Quarter Fire
The third quarter was a defensive stalemate. Both teams traded punts. The Cowboys added a 34-yard Zuerlein field goal to make it 20-14, but the real drama was brewing. Mahomes, as always, had one more trick up his sleeve. With 8:47 left in the fourth, he found Xavier Worthy on a 32-yard slant, then hit Isiah Pacheco on a 1-yard dive to tie the game at 28-28. The Chiefs’ sideline erupted. The crowd held its breath. This was Mahomes’ signature moment—the kind that turns losses into legends.
But here’s the twist: Prescott wasn’t done.
With 4:18 remaining, he took the field with 74 yards to go. No timeouts. Two minutes left. And a defense that had held him in check for most of the day. What followed was a masterclass in poise: a 22-yard scramble on third-and-10, a 17-yard dart to Rico Dowdle, then a 14-yard completion to tight end Dalton Schultz that moved the chains with 1:03 left. Three plays later, Prescott rolled right, bought time, and found Jalen Tolbert in the back of the end zone. The crowd exploded. The Chiefs’ defense, exhausted and out of answers, could only watch.
Why This Win Matters More Than the Score
The Cowboys’ win wasn’t just about recapturing a winning record—it was about proving they could win the big ones. Before this game, Dallas had been labeled a “good team that can’t beat great ones.” They’d lost to the 49ers, the Bills, and even dropped a home game to the Giants. But beating Mahomes on Thanksgiving, in front of 95,000 fans and millions more on TV? That changes perceptions. It changes locker room culture. It changes how the rest of the NFC views them.
And it wasn’t just Prescott. The offensive line held up against a Chiefs pass rush that had 31 sacks entering the game. The secondary, despite missing safety Jayron Kearse to injury, held Kelce to just 7 catches for 84 yards—well below his season average. And the special teams? Zuerlein went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 52-yarder that tied his career long.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ loss exposed deeper cracks. Their run game managed just 67 yards. Their offensive line gave up four sacks. And after trailing 20-14 at the end of the third quarter, they didn’t call a single run play in the final 12 minutes. It was all Mahomes, all the time. And when he couldn’t find the end zone on two critical fourth-down attempts in the final minute, the season’s momentum shifted.
Playoff Implications: Cowboys on the Rise, Chiefs in Trouble
With the win, the Cowboys moved into second place in the NFC East, just one game behind the Philadelphia Eagles (8-3). They’re now tied with the Washington Commanders at 3-8, but hold the tiebreaker. More importantly, they’re in the playoff conversation—something that seemed unlikely after their 3-5-1 start.
The Chiefs? They’re now 6-7, three games behind the Denver Broncos (9-2) and two behind the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) in the AFC West. With only five games left, they need to win out—and hope for help. And even then, their tiebreaker position is weak. Their road record (1-6) is the worst in the NFL. They’ve lost by double digits to the Raiders and the Bengals. They’ve lost to the Browns and the Texans. Now, they’ve lost to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
“We didn’t execute when it mattered,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid after the game. “We got to the point where we needed to be tough. We weren’t.”
What’s Next?
The Cowboys face the New York Giants next week at MetLife Stadium—another game they’re expected to win. Then comes a brutal stretch: home against the 49ers, road at Tampa Bay, and a season finale against the Eagles. Win two of those three, and they’re in. Lose two, and they’re out.
The Chiefs? They host the Raiders, then travel to Seattle, face the Chargers at home, and close with the Broncos. That’s a gauntlet. And with Mahomes nursing a sore ankle and the defense showing signs of fatigue, their window is closing fast.
Historical Context: Thanksgiving Traditions and Rivalries
Thanksgiving games have been a staple of the NFL since 1920. The Cowboys have played on the holiday since 1966, becoming a fixture of the American holiday tradition. This was their 58th Thanksgiving game—and their 11th win in the last 13. The Chiefs, meanwhile, had only played on Thanksgiving once before since 2013—and lost. This wasn’t just a game. It was history repeating itself.
And for Prescott? He’s now 5-0 against Mahomes in head-to-head matchups. The narrative is changing. The torch isn’t being passed—it’s being held steady.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Dak Prescott’s performance compare to Patrick Mahomes’ in this game?
Prescott threw for 312 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions, with a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the final 10 minutes. Mahomes threw for 347 yards and 3 TDs but had two critical turnovers—a fumble in the third quarter and an interception on a desperation heave in the final minute. Prescott’s decision-making under pressure was sharper, especially on the game-winning drive.
Why did the Chiefs struggle offensively in the second and third quarters?
Dallas’ defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, dialed up a spy-heavy scheme that disrupted Mahomes’ rhythm. The Cowboys also held the Chiefs to just 14 total yards on the ground in those two quarters. Kansas City’s offensive line, missing left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. due to injury, couldn’t protect Mahomes consistently, leading to three sacks and six pressures during the scoreless stretch.
What does this win mean for the Cowboys’ playoff chances?
Dallas is now one game behind the Eagles in the NFC East and tied with the Lions and Buccaneers for the final wild-card spot. With three of their final five games at home—including matchups against the 49ers and Eagles—they’re in prime position. A 4-1 finish would likely seal a playoff berth, especially if the Giants and Commanders falter in December.
Is this the end of the Chiefs’ 2025 playoff hopes?
It’s not over, but it’s unlikely. The Chiefs need to win all five remaining games and hope for at least two losses from both the Broncos and Chargers. Their 1-6 road record makes that nearly impossible. Even if they win out, they’d need tiebreakers to favor them over teams with better divisional records. Their season now hinges on pride, not playoffs.
How significant is this win for Dak Prescott’s legacy?
It’s huge. Prescott has now beaten Mahomes in five career meetings, including two in the playoffs. He’s the only QB to beat Mahomes in a Thanksgiving game. With this win, he’s moved from being seen as a “good QB on a good team” to a franchise leader who can win the biggest games. If he leads Dallas to a Super Bowl run, this game will be remembered as the turning point.
What role did special teams play in the outcome?
Greg Zuerlein’s four field goals, including a 52-yarder and a 47-yarder in the second quarter, accounted for 12 of Dallas’s 31 points. Kansas City’s Harrison Butker missed a 48-yard attempt in the third quarter—his first miss from inside 50 since Week 2. That single kick could have tied the game at 20-20. Instead, it gave Dallas momentum and field position that led to their final touchdown drive.
