Kansas City’s Playoff Hopes Dim After Thanksgiving Loss to Cowboys

The Kansas City Chiefs faced a setback in their quest for NFL playoffs, suffering a significant loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. As Week 13 unfolded, the Chiefs entered the game with a 6-5 record but emerged with a disappointing 6-6 standing, raising concerns about their postseason chances.

Kansas City Chiefs’ Playoff Hopes Diminish

Before the game, Kansas City had a 44.2% probability of making the playoffs, according to the PFSN NFL Playoff Predictor. This figure was a stark reminder of their struggle during the season. The Chiefs started off with a 1-2 record and showed resilience to improve but faced a daunting challenge against the formidable Dallas squad.

Impact of the Loss

The defeat against the Cowboys adversely affected the Chiefs’ playoff prospects. After the game, their chances dropped sharply by 17.1 percentage points to just 27.1%. Additionally, their opportunity to win the AFC West title plummeted to a meager 1.7%, putting their division title streak in jeopardy.

Performance Highlights

• Patrick Mahomes demonstrated his skills by completing 23 of 34 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns.
• The Chiefs’ offense averaged 25.2 points per game, ranking ninth in the NFL.
• Despite their offensive prowess, the defense allowed 31 points, undermining their efforts.

Kansas City’s defense, which has limited opponents to an average of 18.3 points per game this season, surprisingly faltered against Dak Prescott’s offense. This unexpected vulnerability has increased uncertainty around the Chiefs as they navigate the remaining weeks of the season.

A Historic Context

This loss marks a pivotal moment for the franchise. If the Chiefs fail to qualify for the playoffs, it will be the first time since 2014 that they miss the postseason. Moreover, this would also be the first playoff absence in Mahomes’ career, which started several seasons ago with immense success.

Outlook for the Cowboys

On the other hand, the Cowboys have gained momentum following their win. After a rocky start with a 3-5-1 record, they have now secured three consecutive victories, improving their chances of clinching an NFC Wild Card berth with a current standing of 6-5-1.

As the NFL season continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the Kansas City Chiefs. The upcoming matches will determine if they can revive their playoff hopes or face a historic postseason absence.