The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes took another hit after a 31-28 Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Chiefs have reached five of the last six Super Bowls, winning three, but are now 6-6 and could miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
The Cowboys, who are 6-5-1 in the NFC East, overcame two fourth-down throws from Patrick Mahomes to win a third straight game since 24-year-old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland was found dead. Last week, they beat defending champions Philadelphia.
“Plus the situation we’re in right before these games and the situation we’re in, having to get these wins against two elite teams,” quarterback Dak Prescott said.
“I mean, two teams that played in the Super Bowl last year. Last year, last year, but you’re talking about two organizations that obviously know how to win and we beat them both in two big games.
“On top of everything we’ve been through.”
Mahomes threw four touchdown passes in his first professional game at the home of the Cowboys, where he played three times for Texas Tech, not far from his roots in East Texas.
“They’re the same desperation that we are and they’re playing better than us through four quarters,” said Mahomes, who threw for 261 yards and was sacked three times, twice by Jadeveon Clowney.
“So even though we have good plays here and there, we have to be more consistent at the end of the day.”
Travis Kelce caught Mahomes’ first fourth-down TD throw on a 2-yarder, and Rashee Rice’s second scoring catch came on fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City was down 10 when Mahomes was nearly tripped in the backfield by Quinnen Williams, but kept his feet and found Xavier Worthy wide open down the field for 42 yards, setting up a 10-yard scoring toss to Hollywood Brown with 3:27 left.
Prescott and company didn’t give Mahomes another chance.
Elsewhere, Cincinnati Bengals ended a four-game losing streak to beat the Baltimore Ravens 32-14.
Quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 261 yards and two touchdowns in his return from a nine-week absence following toe surgery.
