qq. He walked into the press room still wearing the sting of Thanksgiving night, his jaw tight, his eyes carrying that fierce, unsettled fire…
Arlington, TX – Nov. 29, 2025
Patrick Mahomes didn’t mince words after Kansas City’s crushing 31–28 Thanksgiving defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, a loss that exposed deeper issues than just missed plays on Thursday night.
The Chiefs started fast, but the familiar problems returned. Penalties, stalled drives, and late breakdowns turned a winnable game into another frustrating reminder of Kansas City’s fading identity.
Despite Mahomes throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions, Kansas City’s offense again struggled with rhythm. Costly holding calls erased big gains, and the Chiefs couldn’t sustain momentum when it mattered most.
Defensively, the meltdown was even clearer. Kansas City surrendered four penalty-extended drives, including three DPI flags on Trent McDuffie that allowed Dallas to stay alive in crucial fourth-quarter moments.
Mahomes finally said what many fans have felt.“This year our defense is almost unchanged, and our offense is stronger. But the spark is gone. That ‘never die’ spirit disappeared. We’re stuck in old habits, lacking fire and urgency.”
The usually composed quarterback didn’t point fingers at coaches or teammates. His frustration was aimed at a culture slipping away — a team no longer generating its own energy in high-pressure moments.
Andy Reid echoed similar concerns. He admitted the penalties were devastating, especially the ones wiping out explosive plays, noting the Chiefs “made it too hard on ourselves on both sides.”
The loss dropped Kansas City to 6–6, their worst position this late in a season during the Mahomes era. The AFC West lead slipped away, and the margin for error is now razor thin.
Dallas, meanwhile, capitalized on Kansas City’s mistakes. George Pickens’ two-point conversion and Dak Prescott’s late-game poise turned the night into a defining moment for the Cowboys’ playoff push.
For the Chiefs, the defeat signals something deeper than execution issues. It reflects a team searching for urgency, leadership, and the edge that once defined their championship runs.
Mahomes’ message was clear — the Chiefs can still recover, but only if they rediscover who they were. Otherwise, even his brilliance won’t be enough to save them down the stretch.
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