**4\. The Cowboys' defense is much improved over the last few weeks.**
Dallas' defense ranks near the bottom of the league in most categories, including No. 31 in scoring defense (28.5) and No. 29 in total defense (377.5), but this group looks and feels significantly different over the last few weeks.
Notably, the Cowboys' personnel has changed pretty dramatically since Week 11. Dallas returned linebacker DeMarvion Overshown from injury, linebacker Logan Wilson was acquired in a trade, and third-round draft pick Shavon Revel Jr. – an athletic cornerback – made his season-debut a few weeks back.
The Cowboys' biggest addition, however, has been All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who Dallas acquired in a trade with the New York Jets prior to Week 11. Williams has the most total pressures (15) of any defensive tackle over the last two weeks, and the Chiefs will need to prevent him from turning in another strong outing on Thursday.
With all that being said, if the Chiefs can protect on Thursday, they may have some opportunities for a handful of big passing plays down the field. Dallas has allowed 29 passes of at least 25 yards – the most in the NFL – and the Cowboys' 252.3 net passing yards allowed-per-game rank 30th in the league.
As up-and-down as the Chiefs' offense has been this season, they've still accounted for 26 passes of at least 25 yards this year, which is actually tied with Dallas for the second-most in the league. If Kansas City has those chances on Thursday, it needs to take advantage of them.
**5\. Finishing in the red zone is paramount on Thursday.**
An interesting aspect of Sunday's win over the Colts is that Kansas City actually _dominated_ Indianapolis statistically. Kansas City racked up 494 yards of offense and 33 first downs while possessing the ball for 42 minutes and 35 seconds, setting season-bests in all three categories.
So, why did the Chiefs only score 23 points and need to fight back to force overtime? Well, a 1-for-6 mark in the red zone was the primary culprit. Excluding the final drive in overtime, which obviously took place under different circumstances, the Chiefs drove inside the Colts' 30-yard line six times on Sunday, but only came away with one touchdown on those six possessions. Three of those possessions, specifically, took place inside the Colts' 10-yard line.
Just one or two more conversions, which ultimately was the difference of only a handful of yards, would have made Sunday's matchup a wildly different experience. So, while it's easier said than done, Kansas City's ability to finish in the red zone will be critical on Thursday.
The Chiefs were 22-for-29 (76%) in terms of red zone touchdown efficiency from Week 4 through Week 9, and if they can recapture that kind of success on Thursday, it would certainly go a long way toward a crucial victory in Dallas.