ARLINGTON, TX. – The Dallas Cowboys finally broke their AT&T Stadium losing streak on Thanksgiving with a 27-20 victory over NFC East rival New York Giants. It was a win long overdue, ending a six-game home losing streak that spanned 334 days, dating back to a December 30, 2023, victory against the Detroit Lions.
For the Cowboys, who had previously been known for their dominance at home, this victory signaled a possible turning point. Before their slump, they had won 16 consecutive home games, the second-longest streak in franchise history. “It was definitely overdue,” said head coach Mike McCarthy. “It was important to get the win on a lot of fronts, but it was really important to get a home win.”
The Cowboys now stand at 5-7 after securing back-to-back NFC East victories, having defeated the Washington Commanders just five days earlier. For the Giants, the loss not only extends their Thanksgiving woes against Dallas but also leaves them with a dismal 2-10 record, firmly entrenched in the race for the first overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Giants Gonna Giant
Despite the loss, the Giants opened the game with promise. Drew Lock, making his first start of the season, led a methodical 13-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown, giving New York an early 7-3 lead. However, the momentum quickly shifted after a disastrous sequence in the second quarter. On the first play of a drive following a Cowboys field goal, Lock threw an ill-advised pass that was tipped and intercepted by linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who returned it for a touchdown.
Overshown’s pick-six swung the momentum decisively in favor of Dallas. “I knew a play was coming,” Overshown said. “I was just playing football. Saw the ball, tipped it, and I was praying the whole time it stayed up.”
The Giants’ offense stalled for the remainder of the first half, punting on three of their next four drives. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ efficient run game, spearheaded by Rico Dowdle, set the tone. Dallas carried a 13-10 lead into halftime, though it felt like the game was slipping out of New York’s grasp.
Second-Half Collapse
The second half began disastrously for New York. On just the third play of the opening drive, Lock lost a fumble, and the Cowboys capitalized six plays later. Quarterback Cooper Rush connected with Brandin Cooks for a touchdown, putting Dallas up 20-10. After another Giants three-and-out, the Cowboys embarked on a nine-play scoring drive, capped off by Dowdle’s one-yard touchdown run.
Dowdle was the offensive workhorse Dallas had sorely needed. His 112-yard performance on 22 carries marked the Cowboys’ first 100-yard rusher in 26 games, ending the longest drought in franchise history. “We’ve had to fight to get here,” McCarthy said. “We’re still in the valley of adversity, but we’ve taken two steps forward.”
Lock Struggles in Spotlight
For the Giants, the quarterback carousel continues to hinder their offense. Lock became New York’s third starting quarterback in as many games, following Tommy DeVito’s brief tenure and Daniel Jones’ release earlier in the season. Lock’s stat line—21 completions on 32 attempts for 178 yards, a pick, and a lost fumble—tells the story of a struggling offense.
Adding insult to injury, Lock was the team’s leading rusher with just 57 yards. The Giants’ inability to establish a ground game has been a recurring theme this season, further exacerbating their offensive woes. Despite the late-game touchdown run by Lock, the Giants were unable to mount a meaningful comeback.
Cowboys’ Defense Rises
While Dowdle and the offense made headlines, Dallas’ defense deserves equal credit for the win. They tied a season-high with six sacks, smothering New York’s already limited offensive attack. Micah Parsons, returning to form after missing four games with a high ankle sprain, recorded 1.5 sacks and disrupted plays all afternoon.
The Cowboys also played without key defensive contributors, including DeMarcus Lawrence and Trevon Diggs, both sidelined with injuries. Safety Juanyeh Thomas and cornerback Josh Butler joined the growing list of wounded Cowboys after sustaining knee injuries during the game. Despite the adversity, the defense stepped up when it mattered most.
CeeDee Lamb Injured
The Cowboys’ victory came at a cost, as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb left the game in the third quarter after aggravating a shoulder injury he had been nursing since early November. Lamb, who had two catches for 39 yards before his exit, expressed frustration earlier in the week about playing through pain.
Fortunately for Dallas, Malik Nabers filled the void and made history in the process. With eight receptions for 69 yards, Nabers set an NFL record for the most catches (75) in a player’s first 10 games, surpassing former Giants star Odell Beckham Jr.
What’s Next?
The Giants’ struggles highlight just how far the franchise has fallen. Once defined by the stability of Eli Manning, who started every game for nearly 13 years, New York now faces uncertainty at every level. Head coach Brian Daboll will need to find answers quickly as the Giants host the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.
For Dallas, the win offers hope in a challenging season. Although they remain outside the playoff picture, their upcoming schedule provides an opportunity to build momentum. The Cowboys stay home to face the 4-7 Cincinnati Bengals on December 9 and the 3-8 Carolina Panthers on December 15. “The rest might be the most important part of the schedule,” McCarthy said, emphasizing the need for recovery heading into their next game.
Historical Context
Dallas’ Thanksgiving dominance over the Giants has become a near-annual tradition. The Cowboys have now won eight straight games against New York and 20 of the last 24 meetings overall. This latest victory, however, carries extra significance as it helps the Cowboys avoid becoming the third team in franchise history to start 0-6 at home.
Owner Jerry Jones reflected on the emotional toll of the losing streak. “I hate it so much for our fans to have this run of losses when we’ve been so proud of our home winning streak,” he said. “So it’s good to get this win here at home.”
Final Thoughts
For the Cowboys, the Thanksgiving win provides a much-needed confidence boost as they attempt to salvage their season. The defense’s resurgence and Dowdle’s breakout performance suggest Dallas has the tools to compete, even if their playoff hopes remain slim.
For the Giants, the loss is another chapter in a season defined by inconsistency and frustration. With each passing week, their sights increasingly turn toward the future and the potential of landing the first overall pick in the draft.
As both teams head into the final stretch of the season, the contrast between them is stark. Dallas appears to be clawing its way out of the valley, while New York seems resigned to the bottom. Thanksgiving, it seems, once again belongs to the Cowboys.