Although it was only Thanksgiving, the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs had a playoff atmosphere. With both teams fighting to stay afloat in the postseason chase, you felt that whoever lost the game was realistically eliminated from the postseason. The Cowboys should be proud of their performance on Thursday. They stood toe-to-toe with a Chiefs team that has been the class of the NFL for most of this decade, and outlasted them in what feels their most desperate hour in some time. Dallas overcame a rocky start to quell any notion that Kansas City would run them out of the building. Dallas’ thrilling win keeps their playoff hopes alive and gives the team, along with their fans, confidence that they are resilient and won’t lie down no matter the opponent. Here are your stars of the game that feasted against Kansas City.
KaVontae Turpin
Last week, we saw Alijah Clark make a tremendous hustle play, which demonstrated the importance of never giving up on a play that resulted in a turnover. An honorable mention is in order for KaVontae Turpin for making a terrific effort play that saved a turnover. When George Pickens fumbled in the open field, you heard the gasp in the building that the Cowboys may have squandered a chance to take a two-score lead to further secure their grip on the lead. However, Turpin alertly saw the football loose and pounced on it before Kansas City could.
Shortly after, Brandon Aubrey gave the Cowboys a ten-point lead, and the Cowboys held on for the win. Without Turpin’s timeliness, there’s no telling what happens next. In addition, Turpin had three carries for 33 yards and two receptions for 28 yards. He contributed in multiple ways.
Jadeveon Clowney
The old man has still got it. Over the past two weeks, Jadeveon Clowney has really upped his game. Last week, he was pursuing Jalen Hurts out of the pocket, creating pressure but not quite getting home. This week, he got to Patrick Mahomes, sacking him twice.
His effort on his first sack was relentless. He also had six total tackles for the game. Nobody can replace what Micah Parsons meant to the Dallas defense as an edge rusher, but now that Parsons is gone, the Cowboys have had to rely on strength numbers and a committee of players to put pressure on the passer. A veteran like Clowney to help fill that spot is a great start, and he ate big against the Chiefs.
CeeDee Lamb
After the last game that CeeDee Lamb had, he needed to redeem himself in a major way. From the opening whistle, he did just that. After the Cowboys gave up an early 7-0 lead, Lamb connected with Dak Prescott for a 15-yard score. Lamb extended many key drives with critical catches on third downs or by drawing pass interference penalties.
His biggest play of the day came on a 51-yard hookup when Dallas was backed up against its own end zone. That play enabled the Cowboys to take a two-score lead that allowed them just enough of a margin to escape with the win. When the Chiefs’ secondary couldn’t guard him, they had their hands all over him as Lamb drew multiple pass interference penalties, making Trent McDuffie’s day very difficult in coverage. In all, Lamb had seven catches for 112 yards. When Lamb is locked in like this, there’s nothing you can do to stop him.
Dak Prescott
Facing Steve Spagnuolo’s defense makes getting the ball out quickly essential. Prescott did a great job of doing that and identifying the blitz. He constantly found the right reads, avoided taking the big sack. In fact, the Chiefs never sacked him at all, as Prescott eluded the rush to find his receivers downfield. Sure, he threw an interception, but he was money afterwards. He outdueled Patrick Mahomes with the chips all on the table in a must-win game.
In the fourth quarter, Prescott was especially clutch. He completed 9/12 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown in the closing frame. His touchdown pass to Javonte Williams was a thing of beauty. He broke the pocket to extend the play and drew the defender toward him before dumping off the easy throw to Williams for the score. After this game, you can make the case that Prescott is the hottest quarterback in football right now.
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