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By James Brizuela
Contributing Writer
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The Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on the Dallas Cowboys in an important Thanksgiving showdown. Both teams are attempting to stay relevant in their respective conferences, and both will be playing hard to ensure that happens.
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For the Chiefs, the team will be at a big loss, as the team has ruled out two important players on offense ahead of the matchup.
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Protecting Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is paramount to the team's success. When he is under duress, he is far more prone to making costly mistakes. Throwing on the run might still be a strength, but Mahomes being sacked multiple times a game will not be easy to deal with.
That said, the Chiefs will have to deal with a much more improved Cowboys offense without one of their most important offensive linemen, and a tight end who can be used in blocking situations.
Per multiple reports, Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith and tight end Noah Gray have been ruled out for the game. This will be tough to deal with on the offensive side of the ball.
There is a bit of good news amid this rough injury news.
Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy are all off the injury report. Despite the significant gains on offense, the team losing Smith for the Cowboys matchup is a big loss.
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Mahomes has been sacked 24 times thus far this season, which is not at the bottom. However, it is the 10th worst in the league, which is also not a good place to be in.
Kansas City is 6-5 on the season, and remains in the 10th seed in the current playoff picture. There is plenty of football left to play, but being this low is something that the Chiefs are not usually used to.
A win against the Cowboys would be huge for the Chiefs in more ways than one. They would be 7-5 and be looking at a more favorable playoff standing, assuming the other AFC teams lost in Week 13.
Either way, Smith and Gray being out could severely impact the Chiefs' chances at walking away with a win.
For more on the Chiefs, head to Newsweek Sports.
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