You Won't Believe What Happens When Mahomes Faces the Cowboys—Insane Stats Inside!

ARLINGTON, Texas – Patrick Mahomes is set to make his first NFL start in the stadium closest to his hometown of Whitehouse, Texas, as the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) take on the Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) this Thanksgiving Day. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on CBS/KCTV (Channel 5) and 96.5 The Fan.

“Just getting to play back at home,” Mahomes remarked on Tuesday, “and obviously have a lot of people in attendance that may not get to come up to Kansas City all the time and watch the games. And so, it’ll be a really cool experience playing there, especially on Thanksgiving. And I'll have a lot of family and friends in the stands.”

His wife, Brittany, has taken on the important role of managing logistics for the extensive family and friends attending the game.

“I got a really big suite,” Mahomes said. “I don't really do like the numbers. That’s more for Brittany, a Brittany question, but I'm sure it's like 50, 50-plus. Yeah, I mean, there's no tickets left. That's all I know. So, I don't know how that worked out, but I usually let Brittany handle all that.”

Game Day Insights: Mahomes vs. Prescott

On the field, both teams bring formidable offenses. The Chiefs are looking to end a troubling trend of red-zone inefficiency, having scored only three touchdowns on their last twelve trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line. This is a noticeable drop from their earlier performance in October, where they were ranked higher in red-zone efficiency. In contrast, the Cowboys have struggled defensively in the same area, sitting at 30th in the league with a 69.1 percent touchdown rate allowed.

Mahomes and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott are currently ranked second and third, respectively, in the NFL for passing yards this season, with 2,977 and 2,941 yards. They share a rare distinction as the only two active quarterbacks leading their franchises in all-time passing yards.

Expect an aerial showdown, especially with Mahomes boasting impressive career stats. Over his last five Thursday starts, he has a 4-1 record, throwing for an average of 293.6 yards per game and nine touchdown passes. Last week, he also made history by reaching 35,000 regular-season passing yards faster than any quarterback in NFL history.

Strategic Matchups to Watch

As the Chiefs prepare for the Cowboys, they must contend with a slew of offensive threats. The Dallas team features two of the NFL's best wide receivers in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, along with one of the league's top running backs, Javonte Williams, who is currently fifth in rushing yards with 896.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been known for crafting game plans that target the strengths of the opposing team. However, against a multifaceted offense like Dallas's, he faces a challenging task. The Chiefs have had to prepare for five of the top six players on the NFL’s rushing list since September 28, including standout names like Buffalo’s James Cook and the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor.

On the individual matchup front, keep an eye on Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal facing tight end Jake Ferguson of the Cowboys. Both were teammates at the University of Wisconsin and have shown their capabilities in the NFL. Chenal has emerged as a versatile player this season, excelling in coverage against tight ends.

Both teams are coming off impressive comeback victories: the Cowboys overcame a 21-0 deficit to defeat Philadelphia, while the Chiefs rallied from a 20-9 hole to win in overtime against Indianapolis. The stakes are high this Thanksgiving, as both teams aim to solidify their playoff positions.

As the Chiefs gear up for their 11th franchise Thanksgiving game and their first in 19 years, anticipation is building. The Cowboys hold a storied Thanksgiving Day legacy, with a 34-22-1 record since 1966. With Mahomes returning to his home state, this game promises to be a memorable one for both players and fans alike.

Don’t miss the action as we see if Mahomes can lead the Chiefs past the Cowboys in what is sure to be an explosive matchup filled with family, friends, and football.