The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes took another hit after a 31-28 Thanksgiving defeat at the Dallas Cowboys.
The Chiefs have reached five of the last six Super Bowls, winning three, but are now at 6-6 and could miss the post season for the first time since 2014.
The Cowboys, who are at 6-5-1 in the NFC East, overcame two fourth down TD 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 reigning champions Philadelphia.
“On top of where we put ourselves right before these games and just the place that 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’s last year, but you’re talking about two organisations that obviously know how to win and we just beat them both in two great games.
“On top of everything that we’ve been through.”
Mahomes had 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 East Texas roots.
“They’re the same desperation that we are and they play better over four quarters than we did,” 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 be more consistent at the end of the day.”
Travis Kelce caught Mahomes’ first fourth down TD toss 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 almost 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 remaining.
Prescott and company didn’t give Mahomes another chance.
Elsewhere, The Cincinnati Bengals halted a four-game losing streak to beat the Baltimore Ravens 32-14.
Quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 261 yards and two touchdowns on his return from nine weeks on the sidelines after toe surgery.
