Chiefs’ Defense Falters in Thanksgiving Loss to Cowboys - and the Pressure Problem Runs Deeper Than One Game
The Kansas City Chiefs walked off the field on Thanksgiving Day with a 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys - a defeat that dropped them to 6-6 and left more questions than answers, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
While the scoreboard tells you it was close, the tape paints a different picture. Kansas City’s defense struggled all afternoon, and the most glaring issue was one that’s been building for weeks: a pass rush that just isn’t getting home.
Prescott Had All Day - And Made the Chiefs Pay
Outside of a strong opening drive, the Chiefs’ defense never looked settled. Dak Prescott had time, rhythm, and receivers running free.
Kansas City managed just six quarterback hits the entire game - and only four came from the defensive line. That’s not going to cut it against a quarterback like Prescott, especially when he’s locked in.
Prescott finished 27-of-39 for 320 yards and two touchdowns, slicing through the Chiefs’ secondary with a steady diet of quick throws and intermediate routes. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were his go-to targets, and the Chiefs’ defensive backs struggled to match up physically with either receiver. The Cowboys didn’t need deep shots - just timing, spacing, and enough time for Prescott to deliver.
And that’s where Kansas City’s pass rush - or lack thereof - became the story.
Chris Jones: Still the Engine, Still Alone
Chris Jones did what he’s done for most of his career in Kansas City: he showed up. He didn’t record a sack, but he was the only consistent source of pressure on Prescott. And he did it while being double-teamed on half of his pass-rushing snaps.
Even with the Cowboys getting the ball out in under three seconds on most plays, Jones still managed to win eight of his 17 one-on-one matchups - a remarkable number given the circumstances. It’s the kind of effort that doesn’t always show up in the box score but jumps off the film.
Late in the game, the frustration was visible - and understandable.
On one critical play, Jones lined up across from rookie guard Tyler Booker. He attacked the A-gap, initially getting stonewalled, but kept fighting to shed the block.
Prescott, with no immediate options, broke the pocket. Linebacker Nick Bolton had the angle, and Jones recovered to help contain.
It should’ve been a stop.
But safety Chamarri Conner abandoned his zone to chase Prescott, leaving the running back wide open in the end zone. Prescott dumped it off for a touchdown.
Jones, clearly frustrated, let Conner know about it. And you can’t blame him - when you’re doing everything you can to hold the line, one lapse behind you can undo it all.
No Help from the Edge
Outside of Jones, the Chiefs’ defensive line was a non-factor. George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu all came up empty in the pressure department. The only other lineman to register a pressure was nose tackle Derrick Nnadi - and even that came on a play where Jones was double-teamed again.
There was no edge presence. No pocket disruption.
No chaos. And that’s a problem that extends well beyond just one game.
Kansas City’s inability to generate pressure with a standard four-man rush has forced defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to lean heavily on blitz packages. That’s been his calling card since taking over the defense in 2019 - but it’s losing its edge.
Without blitzers who can consistently win their matchups, those pressure looks become predictable. The element of surprise - once a strength of this defense - has faded. On Thanksgiving, even the blitzes couldn’t get home, and Prescott made them pay.
A Long-Term Concern, Not Just a Bad Day
This isn’t just about one rough outing. The Chiefs' pass rush has been trending in the wrong direction for weeks, and the Thanksgiving loss just put it under a brighter spotlight.
The truth is, this defensive line has left Chris Jones on an island far too often. At 31, Jones is still a force - but he’s been logging heavy snaps for years, and it’s starting to show.
Last season, he played the third-most snaps of any defensive lineman in the league. The two ahead of him?
Younger by nearly six years.
The grind of deep playoff runs and close regular-season games adds up. And now, with five games left and the postseason picture tightening, Kansas City is feeling the effects.
Where Do the Chiefs Go from Here?
There’s no easy fix coming this season. You can’t teach burst off the edge in December, and you can’t scheme your way around a pass rush that isn’t winning individual battles.
George Karlaftis is a high-motor player and a respected voice in the locker room, but he hasn’t shown the twitch or bend to consistently beat tackles off the edge. Omenihu and Danna, both rotational pieces, are unlikely to be part of the long-term picture. That leaves a small core of young players - and Jones.
In the offseason, this front office will need to take a hard look at how to rebuild the pass rush around their All-Pro interior lineman. Because right now, the Chiefs are asking Jones to carry too much - and the cracks are starting to show.
The Bottom Line
The Chiefs still have the talent to make a postseason run, but if they’re going to get there, the defense has to find answers - fast. Chris Jones is doing his part. But until Kansas City finds a way to generate pressure beyond No. 95, this defense will keep bending - and eventually, breaking.