Patrick Mahomes was a rookie backup the final time the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs carried 5 losses into Thanksgiving.
However Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid are adamant it is not too late for the Chiefs (6-5) to get one thing cooking within the crowded AFC playoff image as they enterprise into Dallas to sort out the climbing Cowboys (5-5-1) on Thursday afternoon.
Dak Prescott guided the Cowboys to a 28-17 win over the Chiefs in Mahomes’ rookie 12 months in 2017, when Kansas Metropolis closed out the 12 months with 4 consecutive wins. Now the quarterbacks are entrance and heart for the vacation headliner for groups greedy for traction to nudge right into a playoff image that would not embrace them at current.
“Clearly you develop up watching Thanksgiving video games regardless of who you’re a fan of,” Mahomes mentioned as he makes his return to Cowboys Stadium for the primary time since his freshman season at Texas Tech. “That child in me desires to have the ability to go on the market and play on Thanksgiving and discover a method to win. Greater than something, we simply need to win.”
Mahomes mentioned he has greater than 50 family and friends attending the sport in a set, however he is leaving ticket denials — “there are none left” — to his spouse whereas locking in short-week prep for the Cowboys. He’s taking part in the staff in Dallas for the primary time as a professional, however watched a ton of Cowboys video games as a result of they have been his father’s favourite staff.
This week he is watching the staff carefully to be taught their personnel.
“They’ve added gamers, they’re taking part in at the next degree than they have been firstly of the 12 months,” Mahomes mentioned. “They’re type of in the identical state of affairs as us: it is all on the road, you have to go on the market and play your greatest soccer.”
Mahomes was listed on the damage report with a groin damage however mentioned there is not any threat of him lacking the sport. He performed nearly the complete Week 12 time beyond regulation win towards the Colts with the discomfort.
Chiefs defensive sort out Chris Jones, who like Prescott attended Mississippi State, had 3.5 sacks the final time the Chiefs noticed the Cowboys, a 19-9 Kansas Metropolis win in 2021. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo observed a renewed spark in Jones’ follow efficiency and business-like method in latest weeks. He’ll be matched up with rookie first-round choose Tyler Booker in trying to strain Prescott.
“We acquired to win each recreation at this level. The Philly recreation doesn’t suggest something proper now,” Prescott mentioned of the Cowboys sneaking into second place within the NFC East with a 21-point rally to beat the Eagles final week. “Nothing that has occurred up up to now actually means something apart from it has put us in place to be in must-win video games.”
Retaining Prescott off-balance is a prime precedence to decelerate Dallas. The Cowboys rank first within the NFL in whole offense (387.3 yards per recreation) and fourth in factors scored (29.1 per recreation). Extensive receiver George Pickens is considered one of two receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards (Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and delivered one other massive efficiency in Dallas’ upset of the Eagles final week. CeeDee Lamb has 632 yards regardless of lacking time with an ankle damage.
“I believe the largest problem is getting the fellows contemporary and prepared (on a brief week),” Spagnuolo mentioned. “We will have to combine it up. The rationale they’re so good (at huge receiver) is you possibly can’t take each of them away. Each of them, once they catch the soccer, there’s numerous yards after the catch. They’re acquired numerous weapons.”
Mahomes may be pressured to attempt to get comfy with out proper guard Trey Smith (ankle), who missed the second half final week. Prescott may very well be working with out left sort out Tyler Guyton (ankle).
If there’s a determined edge for both facet, it may very well be the bottom recreation of the Cowboys and operating again Javonte Williams. He has 896 yards and eight touchdowns with a mean of 5.0 yards per carry. Kareem Hunt leads the Chiefs with 457 speeding yards and is coming off a 30-carry effort final week, when Kansas Metropolis ran greater than 90 performs.
“He is no spring hen again there,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy joked Tuesday.
Mahomes has run extra this season however the groin damage may convey pause to that method. He has 36 extra passing yards than Prescott — 2,977 to 2,941 — this season and the Cowboys and Chiefs are ranked first and second within the league in internet passing yards.
Lamb is locked in after being tormented by drops for the second time this season towards the Eagles final week.
“He is acquired that look in his eye that (he) means enterprise. He is able to play. There shall be loads of balls going to 88 Thursday afternoon,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned.
Dallas has gained three consecutive video games on Thanksgiving Day and is 34-22-1 all-time on the November vacation.
The Chiefs are 1-4 on the street this season.
–Subject Degree Media
