Thanksgiving Day and football—it’s a classic combo, right? But this year’s main event featuring the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants might leave fans reaching for the pie instead of the remote. This matchup could feel more like a preseason snooze-fest than a holiday headliner.
Let’s talk quarterbacks: Dallas is rolling out Cooper Rush, while the Giants may have Tommy DeVito—or maybe Drew Lock, if DeVito’s banged-up forearm keeps him sidelined. Not exactly the star-studded showdown you’d hope for. But hey, football can be full of surprises, right? Remember when the Cowboys shocked everyone by beating Washington last Sunday in one of the most exciting finishes this season? Maybe we’ll get lucky again.
Still, the odds aren’t great. Both teams are limping through rough seasons. The Cowboys, at 4-7, have had their fair share of bad breaks. Star quarterback Dak Prescott is out with a hamstring injury, and their running game is the weakest it’s been since the 1990 pre-Emmitt Smith days. Meanwhile, the Giants, sitting at a dismal 2-9, just said goodbye to quarterback Daniel Jones after he struggled—and then got released—to avoid hefty injury-related payouts.
If there’s any silver lining, it’s this: Dallas’ run game might look better against a New York defense that’s almost as bad. Both teams rank near the bottom of the league when it comes to stopping the run. But when it comes to scoring touchdowns in the red zone, they’re the worst. So don’t count on seeing the scoreboard light up.
For a lot of fans, Thanksgiving football is all about tradition. The Cowboys’ game, airing at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox, has a prime-time feel since it comes right after the turkey and stuffing. But with the Giants and Cowboys both struggling this season, viewers might tune in more out of curiosity—like passing a car accident on the highway—than excitement.
The numbers, though, might still be big. Two years ago, the Cowboys faced the Giants on Thanksgiving, and a whopping 42.1 million people watched—the most ever for a regular-season NFL game. Even last year, when Dallas squared off against Washington in another uneven matchup, over 41 million fans tuned in.
Despite the drama surrounding Dallas this season—injuries to big names like Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and DeMarcus Lawrence, along with a six-game losing streak at home—the Cowboys still pull in viewers. Love them or hate them, people can’t seem to look away. Maybe it’s the thrill of watching a team everyone loves to criticize.
And if the game doesn’t keep you hooked, there’s always the Thanksgiving trimmings to look forward to. The Cowboys will once again kick off the Salvation Army’s annual holiday drive with those iconic red kettles in the end zones. Plus, country star Lainey Wilson will perform during the halftime show, taking over the spotlight a year after Dolly Parton’s memorable performance in a Cowboys Cheerleaders outfit.
So, whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual viewer, or just in it for the halftime concert, the Cowboys-Giants Thanksgiving tradition will roll on. Let’s just hope the game delivers something worth talking about this year.
