Nov 21, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gestures on the line of scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Denny Medley-Imagn Images

By the Numbers: Chiefs–Cowboys History and Thanksgiving Stakes

Originally posted on Kansas City Chiefs on SI
By Dominic Minchella | Last updated Nov 26, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs have a short week coming off a victory against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, as they will travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in a Week 13 Thanksgiving Day showdown. Both franchises go into the game coming off a win.

This will be the first time the Chiefs have taken on the Cowboys since 2021, when the Chiefs took the victory in Arrowhead by the score of 19-9. But when looking at the history of Kansas City's had against Dallas in the National Football League, things are in favor of the Cowboys.

By The Numbers:

Throughout history, these two franchises have gone to battle 12 times, with the first matchup dating all the way back in 1970. Since then, the Cowboys have beaten the Chiefs seven of 12 times, holding a two-game advantage over the current reigning AFC champions.

Since the turn of the century, the Chiefs have taken on the Cowboys five times (2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021), and Kansas City has taken only two of those games (2013 & 2021). Overall, throughout the 12 games played, Dallas has scored 295 points, whereas Kansas City has scored 250.

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This season, the Chiefs have averaged 25.2 points , and the Cowboys have averaged 29.1 points. That being said, the Kansas City defense has to be ready for the offensive attack that Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will bring to this Thanksgiving battle.

Thanksgiving Stakes

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A win for the Chiefs would see them end the month of Nov with a 2-1 record, and give them a 7-5 record. Getting that victory over the Indianapolis Colts kept their playoff hopes alive, but a win over Dallas would provide those hopes with some extra stability. They're also likely to be without Trey Smith in this game.

Additionally, the Chiefs look to improve their Thanksgiving Day record to 6-5, as they enter the game with a 5-5 record (5-4 if you don't count losing as the Dallas Texans in 1960 before moving to Kansas City in 1962, per Steven Douglass of Sports Illustrated).

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Thanksgiving traditions mean a lot to the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid, as he gave his thoughts on being able to play on the holiday on Tuesday.

"It's an honor to be asked to play on those days (Thanksgiving & Christmas)," Coach Reid said. "It means you're doing, or have done, halfway decent, right? Not a lot of games are being played either one of those two days. I think that's the way you have to approach it."

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This article first appeared on Kansas City Chiefs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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