Drew Lock finally got a chance to start at quarterback for the New York Giants and helped them take their first lead in seven games.
However, his two turnovers led to touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys. “Take care of the ball, and it’d be a good game,” Lock said.
With Lock as their third starting quarterback in three games, following Daniel Jones being benched and then released, and Tommy DeVito developing a sore throwing arm, the result was the same for the Giants on Thanksgiving Day. They lost 27-20, becoming the NFL’s first team to reach 10 losses this season, and the first to be eliminated from playoff contention.
The seven-game losing streak is the longest for New York (2-10) since they set a franchise record with a nine-game losing streak while going 4-12 in 2019.
“I thought Drew did some good stuff, and then two big turnovers,” said Giants coach Brian Daboll. “Can’t have those turnovers.”
The Giants also committed 13 penalties for 98 yards.
Dallas took the lead for good on linebacker DeMarvion Overshown’s 23-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second quarter.
Overshown was initially chipped by Devin Singletary as the running back went out for a screen pass. He lunged forward, raised his right arm, and tipped the ball to himself when Lock tried to throw the pass.
Overshown also recovered when Lock fumbled while being sacked on the third play after halftime. That set up a 38-yard drive for a touchdown, making it 20-10 in favor of the Cowboys.
Before this game, the Giants hadn’t led since their 29-20 win at Seattle on October 6. They got their first touchdown on the opening drive on Thursday, a day after Lock learned he would be the starter for the game, with only walkthrough practices to prepare.
Tyrone Tracy’s 1-yard touchdown run made it 7-3, following Lock’s 28-yard scramble to convert a third-and-6. Lock’s run was initially ruled a touchdown before replay showed that the ball hadn’t crossed the goal line when his foot hit the pylon in the front corner of the end zone.
Lock finished with 57 yards rushing on four carries, including an 8-yard touchdown with 2:18 left. He was 21-of-32 passing for 178 yards and was sacked six times.
“Upset when you lose, but, I mean, nothing but fun. You love football, love being able to come out here and play on Thanksgiving,” Lock said. “A couple of things we could have done better, but the last 24 hours, I won’t forget it. Awesome opportunity to come out here and play. Wish we could have gotten it done.”
Lock had been the backup to Jones but stayed as the Giants’ No. 2 quarterback when they decided to make a change. Daboll went with DeVito as the starter last Sunday against Tampa Bay.
DeVito was 21 of 31 for 189 yards in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers. He was sacked four times and missed one play in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit.
Lock, 28, was a second-round draft pick by Denver in 2019. He started 21 of his 24 games over three seasons with the Broncos, with an 8-13 record. He was 1-1 as the starter for Seattle last season when Geno Smith was sidelined with a groin injury.
Daboll said there was nothing significantly wrong with DeVito other than soreness and swelling, and he could probably be ready for their next game at home on December 8 against New Orleans. The coach wasn’t ready to announce who would start at quarterback then.
“We just got done playing here,” Daboll said. “We’ve got a few days where we’ll go back and watch this game.”
