The NFL has set the table for a Thanksgiving matchup featuring two similar flavors: the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams came into the previous week in [need of a major win](https://arrowheadaddict.com/chiefs-avoided-a-total-nightmare-scenario-but-the-job-not-finished) against a superior opponent. Both had middling records and were in danger of sinking out of contention. Both started out poorly only to storm back with a late offensive surge and strong defensive stand.
What will happen on a short week? Both teams will be exhausted, but Dallas has hopes for reinforcements. The [Chiefs just added Dameon Pierce](https://arrowheadaddict.com/chiefs-give-dameon-pierce-real-shot-to-contribute-fast-in-banged-up-backfield-01kasjhbb3w9), but short notice will minimize his impact. A win for either team will be a major boost in the respective playoff chase for each team—and will help craft a national narrative in front of a significant audience.
Let's look at our writers' predictions for Week 13 between the Chiefs and Cowboys.
A short week makes it impossible to tell how either team will look in the NFL's Thanksgiving Day centerpiece.
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**Price Carter**
This game feels like it could be any sort of outcome. The Cowboys are coming off the emotional journey of losing a teammate, two straight wins in less than a week, and now hosting their signature game on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys’ defense has been one of the worst in the league, but there has been an infusion of talent: Jadeveon Clowney, Kenny Clark, Logan Wilson, DeMarvion Overshown, Quinnen Williams—and Trevon Diggs might be activated off IR this week, too. The defense could be a vastly different unit, and the offense has been one of the best in the league. The Chiefs are going to need to score in this game and be able to win against Pickens and Lamb on defense. I think the Chiefs pull it out, but it could be dicey (again). **Chiefs 28, Cowboys 25.**
**Matt Conner**
That felt like a corner turned. The Cowboys had an eerily similar position and performance coming into and out of Week 12, but the Chiefs have history here while the Cowboys feel fortunate. A short week makes everything wonky, but Dallas' corners are going to have a real problem keeping up with the vertical threats here. Tyquan Thornton reminder game incoming. **Chiefs 28, Cowboys 16**
**Bransen Gibson**
The win over Indy was the result Kansas City needed. It feels like the Chiefs remembered how to win again, and that's bad news for Dallas. The Cowboys are gunslingers, but they won't have enough firepower to win this shootout. **Chiefs 31, Cowboys 27**
**Lyle Graversen**
The Chiefs likely won't be able to lean on Kareem Hunt as much this week, playing on short rest, but thankfully, the Dallas defense should be much easier to throw on. Look for Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce to "feast" in this one, and Kansas City pulls out another win. **Chiefs 27, Cowboys 20**
**Braden Holocek**
The Chiefs finally did some of the little things against the Colts. Runs from under center and passes downfield were a bright spot to see. I think the offensive adjustments they made will help them against a leaky Dallas defense. As long as the Chiefs do not struggle in coverage against the Cowboys’ dynamic weapons they get a second straight win. **Chiefs 31, Cowboys 21**
**Scott Loring**
The Chiefs are thankful they avoided No-Win November by beating the Colts. Now they have to unbutton their pants to sit at the table for a juicy matchup with the Cowboys, and every metric indicates this will be a high-scoring affair with all the fixings. The Chiefs stuff the Cowboys’ running game and force them to be one-dimensional by halftime. Patrick Mahomes carves up the Dallas defense, and Travis Kelce is more wide open than your fridge at 2 a.m. on Black Friday. CeeDee Yams struggles against the KC secondary, and Chris Jones turns in his biggest “hold-my-gravy” performance of 2025. The Chiefs walk away victorious, and the Cowboys (and their fans) wish they had taken an afternoon nap instead. **Chiefs 27, Cowboys 20**
**Shawn O'Brate**
Gobble gobble! The Chiefs’ first Thanksgiving game in nearly 20 years is going to be stuffed full of opportunities for Mahomes against a secondary that has not been able to stop anybody’s gravy train all year long. Whether or not Rashee Rice will play is a huge factor; if so, the Chiefs have a chance to run up the score if they play similarly to the way they did in the second half against Indy. The defense could have a great chance to eat as well, especially if the Cowboys’ run game is going through mainly Javonte Williams and not Dak. Either way, numerous factors favor both the offense and defense, giving both groups a good chance to have their best outing of the season. The Chiefs don’t ruin our holiday this year, winning in Jerry World. **Chiefs 31, Cowboys 27**
**Charles Robinson**
The Cowboys are hot, the Chiefs are alive. If the sense of urgency the Chiefs showed in the fourth quarter against Indianapolis can hold, Kansas City should march forward and move to 7-5. But from what we've learned about the team this year, I expect a step back and a return to a very humble place for Chiefs Kingdom. **Cowboys 33, Chiefs 29**
**Lucas Strozinsky**
I'm still not ready to say that the Chiefs are "back," but beating the Colts went a long way. If the offense can figure it out again, this team will be hard to beat, but who knows if the offense can solve its issues? Even so, I'm picking the Chiefs to not ruin our Thanksgiving. **Chiefs 30, Cowboys 24**