The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a comeback victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, but have little time for celebration as they’ll take on the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Coming off a comeback win of their own against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys are riding the momentum of back-to-back wins, but are also dealing with an injury to starter Tyler Guyton.
According to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, Guyton suffered a high ankle sprain in the win over the Eagles, “according to a person with knowledge of the injury.” Watkins added that Nate Thomas “will likely start” at left tackle on Thursday against the Chiefs, and on the surface, it feels like a big advantage for Kansas City.
But Guyton’s absence could be an addition by subtraction for the Cowboys’ offensive line and could give them an unexpected boost when they take on the Chiefs.
Tyler Guyton’s Penalty Problems Go on the Shelf Ahead of Chiefs Matchup
In his second season as a starter for the Cowboys, Guyton has been a mixed bag. The 2024 first-round pick out of Oklahoma started 11 games for Dallas last season and posted a 49.4 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus, but the biggest issue was his 18 penalties (four declined) that ranked third among all offensive linemen this season. Guyton has bumped his PFF grade to 58.1 in his sophomore season, but the penalties have continued with his seven infractions ranking 10th among tackles and 13th among all offensive linemen.
With that, Thomas may be considered an upgrade. The Louisiana product hasn’t been impressive this season with a 44.0 overall grade on 127 total snaps, but he was solid in place of Guyton on Sunday, logging a 68.1 overall grade on 31 total snaps. Thomas also allowed just two pressures on 16 pass-blocking snaps and has just two penalties on the season, which alone could signal an upgrade.
For the Chiefs, this could be considered bad news. Their pass rush has been a disappointment this season, ranking tied for 22nd with 22 sacks and 20th with an 18.5% pressure rate according to Pro Football Reference. Even if they can’t get to the quarterback, facing an offensive tackle that gives out free yards consistently could have been of assistance and sent the Cowboys’ offense behind schedule.
If there’s anything that could be of benefit, it’s that Guyton is the superior run-blocker with a 64.9 grade to Thomas’s 60.1. But assistance may be needed to stop a passing attack that features Dak Prescott and two of the NFL’s most dangerous weapons in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
With Sunday’s game holding a -3.5 point advantage for the Chiefs at DraftKings Sportsbook, things like penalties should play a key role. As the Chiefs continue to fight for their playoff lives, having Guyton in there would have been an advantage over facing his more effective backup.
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