The Kansas City Chiefs had barely walked off the field at Arrowhead Stadium after their overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts before attention turned to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
With the Chiefs playing on Sunday, to then have a quick turnaround to play on Thursday, that also sees them lose a day due to travel, dotting your I's and crossing your T's isn't an easy thing to do.
But the Chiefs have experience in playing in the biggest games on the NFL schedule, so this will be nothing new to them, despite the short gap between games.
And offensive coordinator Matt Nagy detailed what goes into getting the team prepared for the Cowboys.
“Short week-wise is you really have to just lock in on what you do well,” Nagy said. “There's so much that goes into. Guys are banged up, we had 96 plays so on offense that's a lot of plays, usually it's the second day that guys get the most sore. There's a balance of the physical part but also the mental side of how you handle that because that's very important here.
"In two more days they're back out on the field with the possibility of a lot more plays. We have to make sure that there's that balance of giving them what we see with Dallas, letting them understand what we're doing so that in the end, you want to be able to play fast."
More: Chiefs' Kareem Hunt has perfect response to recovery method ahead of Week 13 vs. Cowboys
Chiefs facing mental and physical hurdles vs. Dallas
One could argue that this Week 13 game is the biggest of the Chiefs' season, and it is due to a host of factors.
One, playing the Cowboys after their stirring comeback win, two is playing on a short week after going to overtime against the Colts, and three, the mental and physical battle Andy Reid's team will have to endure to get themselves right for Thanksgiving.
And when you put all of that together, this will be anything but easy for the Chiefs, who, like the Cowboys, are playing for their playoff lives on Thursday.
Nagy spoke of the balance the team has to have on a short week, with preparation and rest key to the Chiefs being in the best possible shape to take down Dallas.
The Chiefs will be up against it in Dallas, but there's no other coaching staff and team you would rather have in this situation than Kansas City's.
More Chiefs news:
- Patrick Mahomes marvels at locker room mentality ahead of Week 13 vs. Cowboys
- Chiefs reveal Kareem Hunt update after career day vs. Colts
- Chiefs fans will love Andy Reid's injury update on star trio ahead of Cowboys game
- Chiefs rule out 3 players for Thanksgiving game vs. Cowboys