The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes hang by a thread after their 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
The Cowboys have traditionally hosted games on American holidays since 1966 and ‘America’s Team’ produced a superb performance to defeat the Chiefs despite Patrick Mahomes’ four touchdown passes on his return to his native Texas.
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Mahomes has led the Chiefs to five of the last six Super Bowls, winning three, but they are now 6-6 and in danger of missing the play-offs for the first time since the 2014 season.
The Cowboys came from behind to lead 17-14 at halftime, but a tense finish began with the Chiefs taking a 21-20 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Dak Prescott then held his composure as Dallas scored 11 points on its next two possessions to keep them away, despite a late response from the Chiefs.
The Cowboys have won two straight against last season’s two Super Bowl teams in just five days. defeating the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
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After an emotional 21-point comeback against the Eagles – who denied the Chiefs a triple in February – the victory against Kansas City is Dallas’ third in a row, to improve its record to 6-5-1 and keep its own hopes of sneaking into the playoffs alive.
With five games remaining, Dallas is second behind the Eagles (8-3) in the NFC East while the Chiefs trail the Denver Broncos (9-2) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) in the AFC West.
The Packers keep the pressure on the Bears
The Green Bay Packers kept the pressure on the Chicago Bears as they won 31-24 against another of their NFC North division rivals, Detroit.
The Lions have hosted Thanksgiving games since 1934, but fell to a 7-5 record as they failed to contain a Packers offense well-led by Jordan Love.
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The Green Bay quarterback had 234 passing yards and a season-high four touchdowns to keep his team in front throughout, leading 17-14 at halftime.
Dontayvion Wicks scored a touchdown in the second and third quarters to help the Packers earn their third straight victory and improve to 8-3-1.
The Bears lead the NFC North at 8-3 and will travel to Philadelphia on Black Friday before traveling to Green Bay next week.
