The Dallas Cowboys are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs in their annual Thanksgiving Day game. It’s a contest that features two teams hoping they’re heading in the right direction as they fight to be included in the playoffs.
This is one of the most anticipated Turkey Day games in a long time as the Cowboys and Chiefs are among the most popular franchises in the NFL and have had similar seasons to date. After a three-game losing streak on the holiday, the Cowboys have won three straight Thanksgiving outings, and they’ll need to continue that trend if they want to strengthen their postseason outlook.
Winning consecutive games for the first time this year has the Cowboys feeling good about themselves, but the Chiefs are a tough out. Here are some similarities between the two teams as they head towards a game with big implications.
Fighting to make the postseason
Both the Cowboys and Chiefs are in the playoff picture, but just barely as they currently hold the 10th spot in each respective conference. Kansas City is 6-5 and just one game behind in the postseason race in the AFC. However, they lose all the tiebreakers to the teams who are ahead of them and currently in the playoffs.
The Cowboys are 1.5 games back, but they trail one team they lost to (Carolina Panthers) and get to face another (Detroit Lions) next week to possibly gain a leg up in the standings.
Both teams are also coming off big comeback wins over 8-2 teams to stay in the hunt. The Chiefs beat the Indianapolis Colts in overtime on a Harrison Butker field goal, after being down 11 points at halftime, while Dallas had an epic win over the rival Philadelphia Eagles on a last second kick from Brandon Aubrey that erased a 21-point defecit.
Quarterbacks having bounce-back seasons
Patrick Mahomes is one of the best QBs of this generation, yet his 2024 campaign was less than what Chiefs fans have come to expect. The talk of his possible demise has been put to rest this season as Mahomes is second in the league in passing yards, third in QBR, and combined for 22 touchdowns while also ranking fourth in rushing yards for a QB. Mahomes has always been able to escape pressure, but he’s on pace to shatter his career high in rushing.
Prescott had an inconsistent year in 2024 even before he was hurt but has bounced back to become an MVP candidate. The Cowboys’ signal caller is third in passing yards, second in passing scores with 23, while utilizing his legs better this season than he has in a long time. Prescott has added two rushing touchdowns and is on pace to have his most scores on the ground since his third year in the league.
Both Prescott and Mahomes appear to be using their legs more this season and have seven interceptions each on the year.
Mahomes is reminding football fans why he’s among the best to ever play the position, and Prescott continues to reiterate why he’s been criminally underrated for most of his career. It has been comeback seasons for the QBs, who have played at a high level in 2025.
Home-Road splits favor Cowboys
The Cowboys and Chiefs have had similar success in their home and road splits this season. While Kansas City is tough to beat at home with a 5-1 record, they are just 1-4 away from Arrowhead Stadium. That win came against a New York Giants team that has won only two games all season.
Brain Schottenheimer’s group has played much better at home this year, going 3-1-1, but the Cowboys are just 2-4 on the road. Luckily for the Cowboys, this game will be played at AT&T Stadium, where they play with more energy.
If the Chiefs are a playoff worthy team, they need to beat a good team on the road. If the Cowboys want to make a postseason push, they must continue to play well at home. It lines up well for Dallas to come away with the win.
Missing key pieces on the offensive line
These two teams have solid offensive lines who tend to run block better than they do pass protect, and they’ll both be missing a starter on their respective units.
The Chiefs will be playing without Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith, who is out with an ankle injury. This will only be the second missed game over the course of Smith’s career.
For the Cowboys, it will be second-year tackle Tyler Guyton, who will be out due to a high ankle sprain. Guyton has been much improved this season, and he’ll be replaced by Nathan Thomas, another sophomore offensive lineman. Thomas is the swing tackle for the Cowboys, has started one game on the season, and he’s shown to be a better left tackle than on the right side.
Those are two big losses for each team on their OLs and it could play a role in the outcome.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys, Chiefs similarities go far beyond mediocre midseason records
Reporting by Ben Grimaldi, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
