Cowboys Rookies Hold Their Own in Gritty Thanksgiving Win Over Chiefs
Thanksgiving in Dallas always comes with a little extra spice, and this year’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t disappoint. In a game that demanded poise under pressure, the Cowboys leaned not just on their stars, but on their rookie class-and they delivered.
Let’s break down how Dallas’ youngest contributors fared in a tight, high-stakes win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
OG Tyler Booker: Holding the Line Like a Vet
Snaps: 72 | Pass Blocks: 46 | Pressures Allowed: 1 | Sacks: 0 | Penalties: 0
Booker’s performance didn’t just pass the eye test-it passed the Mahomes test. The rookie guard was tasked with navigating Steve Spagnuolo’s pressure-heavy scheme, which is no easy ask, especially for a first-year player. But Booker stood tall, allowing just one pressure in 46 pass-blocking snaps and keeping the sack column clean.
What stood out was his ability to handle interior movement. The Chiefs threw plenty of stunts and late shifts his way, and Booker consistently stayed square, passed off assignments cleanly, and gave Dak Prescott the time he needed to work the middle of the field. In the run game, Booker brought the kind of power you want to see from a young lineman-generating movement on double teams and keeping Dallas ahead of the chains.
No drive-killing penalties. No blown protections.
Just steady, physical football. That’s how you earn trust in the trenches.
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku: Quietly Disruptive
Snaps: 40 | Tackles: 2 | Pressures: 5 | Sacks: 0 | TFL: 0
Ezeiruaku didn’t light up the box score, but his impact was felt. Five pressures in 40 snaps is nothing to scoff at, especially when you’re part of a defensive front that totaled 28 pressures on Mahomes. He didn’t get home for a sack, but his ability to collapse the pocket and force Mahomes off his spot helped Dallas control the tempo.
One standout moment came in the second quarter, when he and Jadeveon Clowney teamed up to squeeze the edge and force a tough third down. Plays like that don’t always make the highlight reel, but they matter-especially in a game where every inch counted.
For a rookie rotational edge on a holiday stage, Ezeiruaku did exactly what the Cowboys needed: hold the edge, bring heat, and don’t make mistakes. PFF even graded him as the second-best defender on the team against Kansas City. That says a lot.
CB Shavon Revel Jr.: Coverage Solid, Run Defense a Work in Progress
Snaps: 63 | Tackles: 6 | Pass Breakups: 0 | INTs: 0 | Rating Allowed: 75.8
Thrown into a starting role with Caelen Carson sidelined, Revel logged nearly every defensive snap-and held his own in coverage. He gave up just 15 receiving yards, didn’t allow a touchdown, and stayed disciplined over the top. That’s a win, especially for a rookie coming off ACL surgery just a year ago.
But it wasn’t all clean. He drew an illegal contact penalty late in the second quarter (offset by a Chiefs infraction), and his run support left something to be desired. He was involved in a few stops on Kareem Hunt, but the tape showed some hesitation and missed leverage in the ground game.
Still, when you’re facing Mahomes and tasked with locking down the boundary for 60+ snaps, not giving up chunk plays is a big deal. Revel’s coverage discipline was there. Now it’s about tightening the screws in the run game.
LB Shemar James: Special Teams Standout
Snaps: 12 (Defense) | Tackles: 3 | Pressures: 0 | Sacks: 0
James didn’t see much action on defense-just 12 snaps-but he made his presence felt on special teams. His biggest moment came on a second-quarter kickoff, when he teamed up with Malik Davis to bring down Tyquan Thornton at the KC 32, preventing a momentum-swinging return right after Dallas had taken a three-point lead.
No penalties, no blown assignments, and a few clean tackles. For a young linebacker still carving out his role, that’s exactly what the coaching staff wants to see.
DB Alijah Clark: Steady on Special Teams
Snaps: 19 (All Special Teams) | Tackles: 1
Clark didn’t see the field on defense, but he was active on special teams, logging 19 snaps and recording one tackle. It was a quiet outing, but in a game where field position and clean execution mattered, every rep counted.
CB Trikweze Bridges: Tested, But Not Broken
Snaps: 27 | Tackles: 3 | Rating Allowed: 120.8
Bridges saw some meaningful snaps and found himself targeted in the short game. He allowed two completions-one to Rashee Rice for 10 yards and another to Xavier Worthy for four-but kept everything in front of him.
The blemish? One of Rice’s two touchdowns came against him in the fourth quarter.
Still, for a rookie corner playing rotational snaps in a big-time game, Bridges didn’t fold. He tackled well, avoided giving up deep shots, and showed he could handle the moment. The rating allowed looks rough, but the tape shows a young player competing.
Inactive or Non-Participants
- RB Jaydon Blue - Inactive
- OT Ajani Cornelius - Inactive
- DT Jay Toia - Inactive
- RB Phil Mafah - Injured Reserve
- WR Traeshon Holden - Practice Squad
- TE Rivaldo Fairweather - Practice Squad
- LB Justin Barron - Practice Squad
Final Takeaway
This wasn’t a game where the rookies stole the spotlight-but they didn’t have to. What Dallas needed from its first-year players was composure, execution, and no major mistakes. That’s exactly what they got.
Tyler Booker looked like a long-term starter on the interior. Ezeiruaku added juice to the pass rush.
Revel held his own in coverage against one of the game’s best quarterbacks. And the rest of the rookie class filled their roles without hurting the team.
On a national stage, against a Super Bowl-caliber opponent, the Cowboys’ rookies showed they’re ready for the moment. And that’s a win in itself.