3 key plays from Cowboys win over Chiefs include outstanding scrambles

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving for the Dallas Cowboys, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-28, to win their fourth straight Turkey Day game. The win catapulted the Cowboys back into the playoff conversation as they showed their mettle in fighting back during the biggest moments.

Beating the Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn't easy, especially when the game starts as poorly as did. Brian Schottenheimer's team found a path to victory behind QB Dak Prescott throwing to his elite wide receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The Cowboys have now come out of the bye with three straight wins, the last two of which have come against last year's Super Bowl teams, a record-setting feat.

Just as they did the week prior, the Cowboys overcame a rough start to get the win. Here are the four times in the win over the Chiefs where the Cowboys made the big plays in the key moments to earn the victory in Week 13.

Cowboys answer Chiefs' quick score

After Prescott threw an interception on the third play from scrimmage, it took Mahomes just two plays to give the Chiefs a quick 7-0 lead. The Cowboys had to answer to keep the game close and stop Kansas City from trying to put the game away early.

Prescott, Lamb and the offense responded with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game. The possession saw the offense face three third downs, and each time Prescott found Lamb to keep the series alive and eventually, connect for the score. Prescott went 3-4 while targeting Lamb, culminating in the 15-yard touchdown.

It was a money drive from Prescott, and a big moment for a WR who had struggled the week before.

Cowboys respond in fourth quarter

The Chiefs had trailed for the entire third quarter and were struggling to move the ball until they found the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Mahomes' second, fourth-down touchdown pass put Kansas City in the lead, and it felt like Mahomes' Magic would put the Cowboys on the wrong end of late-game heroics. Schottenheimer's team would need to respond.

Down 21-20, Dallas did just that by going on an eight-play 68-yard drive.

The biggest play of the drive came on third-and-eight from the Chiefs' 45-yard line. Prescott found Pickens on the slant, and then the WR did the rest.

Pickens didn't have much impact in the game until that point, but at a crucial moment, Prescott went to Pickens, who came through.

The drive ended in an incredible touchdown pass from Prescott to running back Javonte Williams. Facing a 3rd-and-goal from the three-yard line, Prescott was pressured and began to run before Williams worked himself open for the score.

The touchdown and two-point conversion gave the Cowboys a 28-21 lead.

Turpin saves the day

After the Cowboys took the lead, the defense managed to force a punt and get the offense back on the field, but they were pinned deep at their own 10-yard line. Schottenheimer decided to go for a big play on first down, and the duo of Prescott and Lamb combined for the 51-yard completion.

The explosive connection gave the Cowboys a chance to add to their lead late in the game, and the offense was on the move to the Chiefs' 12-yard line. Prescott hit Pickens again on third down, but this time the receiver fumbled, and the possible two-score lead was in peril as the ball was on the ground. Thankfully, one of the fastest players for the Cowboys was on the field.

Speedy return man/WR KaVonte Turpin raced in and recovered the fumble while surrounded by three Chief defenders.

Drive saved, points saved, and maybe the season too. It was the second week in a row where some hustle, on the same spot of the field, played a key role in the Cowboys' win.

Nail in the coffin

After the Chiefs scored to close the gap to 31-28, the Cowboys needed to end the game without giving the ball back to Mahomes. They had to run out the final 3:27 on the clock with Andy Reid having all three timeouts left.

The Cowboys ended the game by getting three first downs, two of which were aided by Lamb and Pickens forcing interference calls. However, to seal the win, Prescott went back to Pickens on the quick slant. On 3rd-and-two, just before the two-minute warning and with the Chiefs out of timeouts, Schottenheimer called for a pass, and the 13-yard gain clinched the victory.

It was another instance where in a key moment, Prescott found Pickens. This time, it ended the game and gave the Cowboys their third straight win.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 key plays from Cowboys win over Chiefs include outstanding scrambles