The Dallas Cowboys managed to secure a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day, marking their first home win in 334 days. This win came as a relief for the Cowboys, who had been struggling at home, having lost six straight games at AT&T Stadium, including the playoffs. Their performance on Thanksgiving kept their slim playoff hopes alive, as they improved to 5-7, with upcoming games against lower-ranked teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers offering a potential path to a better record.
The game’s turning point came in the second quarter when linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made a pivotal play. After the Cowboys had just pulled within a point of the Giants, Overshown intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, giving Dallas the lead. This defensive spark set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Giants struggled to get into the end zone, not scoring again until late in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys’ defense, inspired by Overshown’s play, held strong throughout the game.
Offensively, the Cowboys showed improvement in their running game, especially after naming Rico Dowdle the primary back. Dowdle rushed for over 100 yards, the first Cowboys player to do so in 26 games, and added his first touchdown of the season. This was a significant achievement, considering the team was missing key offensive linemen for most of the game. Despite a rough first half by CeeDee Lamb, who dropped several passes, the Cowboys managed to keep control of the game. Lamb’s drops were a notable surprise, as he had been consistent throughout the season, but his performance in the second half helped seal the win.
For the New York Giants, the season continued its downward spiral, as they fell to 2-10 after a seventh straight loss. Their offense struggled yet again, with Drew Lock starting as quarterback in his first game for the Giants. Lock’s performance was underwhelming—he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, was sacked six times, and absorbed 13 hits. The Giants’ offensive line, made up of backup tackles, did little to protect him, and Lock’s efforts were largely ineffective. The Giants’ defense also failed to make significant stops, as they missed numerous tackles, which contributed to their inability to compete.
The Giants briefly led 7-3 in the first quarter, but their lead was short-lived as the Cowboys quickly regained control. It was the first time since early October that the Giants had held a lead in a game, but they were unable to capitalize on it. With injuries mounting, including a significant injury to defensive star Dexter Lawrence, the Giants’ future looks bleak.
The team faces a tough road ahead, with questions surrounding the leadership of head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, especially given the team’s poor performance despite earlier assurances of their job security. The Giants will next face the New Orleans Saints, and there is hope that quarterback Tommy DeVito, who is recovering from an injury, might return to start.
