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NFL Thanksgiving Day in Dallas

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DALLAS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – A matchup between teams with a combined six wins through 22 games probably wasn’t what the NFL envisioned when scheduling the New York Giants at the Dallas Cowboys for the second of three Thanksgiving Day games.

No matter the records, the matchup between bitter NFC East rivals always draws national attention — even if both teams are jockeying primarily for draft position.

The Giants (2-9) are expected to start their third different quarterback in as many weeks in an attempt to snap a six-game losing streak, while the Cowboys (4-7) will trot out their own backup signal-caller in search of their first home victory since 2023.

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ODDS & TRENDS
The Cowboys are consensus 3.5-point favorites, which the public views as a big opportunity. Dallas has been backed by 83 percent of the spread-line money while its -200 moneyline to win the game outright has drawn 95 percent of the money.

This has also been the second most wagered-on Week 13 game at DraftKings, where the Cowboys’ moneyline has drawn more money this week than every team other than Detroit.

What oddsmakers don’t expect is a high-scoring game between two backup quarterbacks. The low 37.0 total points line at BetRivers has seen the Over draw 65 percent of the money and 77 percent of the total bets.

PROP PICKS
–Giants RB Tyrone Tracy 70+ Rushing Yards (+100 at DraftKings): The rookie has taken over as the primary ballcarrier, and this prop will likely be determined by how long New York remains competitive on Thursday. After logging at least 16 carries in three consecutive games, Tracy was limited to 42 yards on nine carries in a blowout loss to Tampa Bay last Sunday. The Giants must run the ball effectively to stay in the game, and Tracy has at least 66 rushing yards in four of his past seven games.

–Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb Anytime TD (+155 at BetRivers): Lamb has been targeted 118 times this season — 60 more than anyone else on the team. That includes 12 targets last week, when Lamb caught 10 passes but for only 67 yards. He hasn’t scored since last month, however, a trend Dallas will look to break at home against a defense that has allowed 12 passing touchdowns this season.

THE NEWS
Cooper Rush helped the Cowboys return to the win column at Washington before the three-day prep for playing holiday host to the Giants, who have shuffled plans amid another potential quarterback switch.

“The fight has definitely been there,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “But we’re still pretty far down in the valley of adversity right now. We’ve made one step in the right direction, so we’ve still got a lot of climbing to do.”

The playoffs are an afterthought at the moment. Dallas is tied for 12th in the NFC and the Giants are dead last with the final third of the season ahead.

Beating the Commanders 34-26 on Sunday helped the Cowboys exhale, if only briefly, and they will now try to win at home for the first time in six tries.

Last in the NFL in scoring (14.8 points per game) and 28th in passing offense at 187.9 yards per game, the Giants are devoid of highlighter-worthy names on the offensive scouting report. They traveled to Texas on Wednesday without last week’s starting quarterback, Tommy DeVito, who was officially listed as questionable because of a forearm injury.

The last win for the Giants, 29-20 at Seattle, came one week after losing 20-15 to the Cowboys in September. New York is 0-4 against the NFC East including two losses by a combined eight points to the Commanders.

Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers are among those who have been publicly critical of the team’s effort of late.

“When you lose a game like that, there’s frustration,” Daboll said of Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay. “Certainly, you’d like to keep it in house. But you understand them, and I’ve been doing this for a while. There’s conversations that you have to have if comments like that are made. I respect the opinions of the players and of the coaches. We’ll work as hard as we can to get this fixed.”

Extra blockers likely are mandatory to keep Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons from feasting. Parsons had two sacks at Washington, his second game with multiple sacks in three outings since returning from a high-ankle sprain. He had two sacks of Daniel Jones the last time the Giants visited for Thanksgiving in 2022.

Nabers caught 12 passes for 115 yards from Jones in defeat against the Cowboys Week 4. That was before the QB switch. Nabers wasn’t targeted in the first half last week.

Beyond their 0-5 home record, the Cowboys are 2-1 in the NFC East but have been outscored by 98 points on the season. The nine-loss Giants own a minus-89 scoring margin.

Rush was not special at Washington, but he threw a pair of TDs, completed 75 percent of his passes and didn’t throw an interception. He was limited Monday with a knee injury, but .

Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle handled a career-high 19 carries, for a career-best 86 yards last week, erasing his previous best — 12 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown — against the Giants last season. He caught a 15-yard TD pass in the Cowboys’ win over the Giants in September.

New York gave up 156 rushing yards to the Buccaneers, the fifth consecutive game of allowing at least 140.

INJURY REPORT
Banged up in the aftermath, DeVito wasn’t asked to complete a full practice the past three days but did throw a few times Monday and Tuesday. He didn’t practice Wednesday and didn’t accompany the team to Arlington, Texas, leaving Drew Lock to get the call for the Giants if DeVito doesn’t get transportation to Texas and medical clearance by Thursday afternoon.

Giants offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) was ruled out. Evan Neal (hip) was on the long list of injury concerns for the Giants but had no injury designation Wednesday. Eluemunor left last week’s game in the first half and couldn’t return.

The Cowboys are hopeful for the return of key players, including tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) and No. 1 cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) after they sat out Week 12. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is expected to be back for the first time since Week 4, but left guard Zack Martin (shoulder, ankle) won’t play.

Cooks was activated to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, when the Cowboys moved rookie cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and second-year offensive lineman Asim Richards (ankle) to injured reserve. Defensive backs Andrew Booth and Kemon Hall were elevated from the practice squad.

KEY STAT
Dallas was 8-0 at home in the 2023 regular season, then started a streak of six consecutive losses — including the wildcard blowout by the Packers — by an average of 22.3 points.

SERIES HISTORY
The Cowboys are shooting for a season sweep of the Giants for the fourth consecutive season.

THEY SAID IT
–“Blood is in the water now. You’ve got to understand this is the NFL and ball security is job security.” –Tracy, who has three fumbles — losing two — in the past two games.

–“It was great to get some wind under our wings, but this Thursday’s game comes on you so fast. That’s really where my mind is and my heart is, too.” –McCarthy

PREDICTION
The switch to the Lock has the potential to bring the Giants’ offense some much-needed veteran leadership. But he’s playing behind an offensive line that will struggle to protect him and the constant uphill sledding against poor field position will eventually lead to a comfortable Cowboys victory. –Cowboys 27, Giants 17

–Field Level Media

Patriots are Losers Again

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EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Tommy DeVito threw for 191 yards and a touchdown and helped the New York Giants win consecutive games for the first time all season, this one a 10-7 squeaker over the visiting New England Patriots on Sunday in New Jersey.

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DeVito completed 17 of 25 passes for the Giants (4-8), who have turned to him following injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. He lost a fumble on the opening drive and was sacked six times Sunday.

The Giants benefited from continued quarterback chaos for New England (2-9). After Bill Belichick kept the Patriots’ starting QB decision under wraps during the week, Mac Jones tossed two interceptions in the first half and was replaced by Bailey Zappe after halftime.

Zappe guided the Patriots’ lone scoring drive, then drove them into field-goal range in the final 3:15 of the game. But rookie kicker Chad Ryland hooked a 35-yard field goal try wide left with three seconds left, allowing the Giants to hang on.

Jones went 12-for-21 passing for 89 yards for the Patriots, who have lost seven of eight games. Zappe went 9-for-14 for 54 yards and one pick.

Xavier McKinney totaled 10 tackles and one of the three interceptions for New York. Jalin Hyatt had five catches for 109 yards.

Jones threw into triple coverage in the final seconds of the first quarter and rookie Deonte Banks made a running interception on the sideline.

Late in the half, the Patriots drove into New York territory. DeVante Parker caught a slightly deflected pass for 17 yards on third-and-15 to keep the drive moving.

But on third-and-4 from the Giants’ 23-yard line, Jones threw a pass straight to Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke, who returned it 55 yards to the New England 26.

Six plays later, DeVito threw left to Isaiah Hodgins, who stiff-armed his defender to the ground and beat another Patriot to the pylon for a 12-yard score, making it 7-0 1:53 before halftime.

The Patriots had one last three-and-out in the first half before Zappe took over in the second. He went 6-for-6 for 38 yards on his first drive, and Stevenson got New England on the board with his 7-yard touchdown with 8:02 left in the quarter.

Zappe wasn’t perfect for long. Early in the fourth quarter, his pass intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster was snagged by McKinney and returned to the Patriots’ 32. That set up Randy Bullock’s go-ahead, 42-yard field goal with 8:10 remaining.

The Patriots got one more chance and drove 33 yards in nine plays to set up Ryland’s game-tying attempt.

–Field Level Media

Barkley Doesn’t Want Trade

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EAST RUTHERFORD – With the NFL trade deadline looming, Giants star running back Saquon Barkley went on record as saying he wants to remain in New York.

“Sitting here everyone knows how I feel. Everyone knows I don’t want to get traded,” Barkley told reporters Thursday. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind would want to get traded anywhere. It’s not an easy thing to do. You have to move. I have a family. I would love to be here.”

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The trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 31.

With the last-place Giants (1-5) preparing for Sunday’s matchup with the visiting Washington Commanders (3-3) — and Barkley set to be a free agent after the season — trading him could be a win-win for Barkley and the organization.

“That never crossed my mind,” the two-time Pro Bowl selection said. “Obviously I’ve been public and vocal about how I feel about this organization and where I want to be. But like I said, knowing the business and seeing that side of it, there are a lot of things that I can’t control.”

Barkley, 26, hasn’t discussed anything trade-related with his personal team. The Giants also have the option to use the franchise tag for a second straight year.

“My focus is to be the leader I can be for this team and get this thing on the right track,” Barkley said.

Selected by the Giants with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft, Barkley has 207 rushing yards and a touchdown on 53 carries this season.

He missed three games with a high ankle sprain, then rushed for 93 yards on 24 carries in Sunday’s 14-9 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills.

Barkley played all 17 games last season and totaled a career-high 1,312 rushing yards. But he and the Giants couldn’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal, as he settled for an adjusted franchise tag.

In six seasons with the Giants, Barkley has rushed for 4,456 yards and 30 touchdowns on 1,007 carries in 63 games (all starts). He also has 260 receptions for 1,866 yards and nine touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

MNF: Sleepless in The Meadowlands

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown and had two of Seattle’s 11 sacks as the Seahawks continued their Monday night mastery with a 24-3 victory against the New York Giants in New Jersey.

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Kenneth Walker III rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown and Geno Smith threw a TD pass to DK Metcalf as the Seahawks (3-1) improved to 29-12 all-time on “Monday Night Football,” with their .707 winning percentage the best in league history.

Seattle’s sack total tied the franchise’s single-game record.

The Giants (1-3), who played without star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle), managed just 248 yards of total offense.

New York quarterback Daniel Jones completed 27 of 34 passes for 203 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble. He also rushed for a team-high 66 yards on 10 carries.

With the Giants trailing 14-3 late in the third quarter, Jones scrambled for a 10-yard gain on fourth-and-1 from the Seattle 16 on New York’s lone trip into the red zone. Two plays later, Jones tried to hit Parris Campbell, but the throw was behind the receiver and was picked off by Witherspoon.

Smith finished with 110 yards on 13-of-20 passing. He missed the final 9:28 of the second quarter while being evaluated for a knee injury. Drew Lock stepped in under center and led a TD drive in Smith’s absence.

The Seahawks opened the scoring on the final play of the first quarter. Smith scrambled to his right and threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to a diving Metcalf in the back corner of the end zone. That capped a two-play drive set up by Mario Edwards Jr., who sacked Jones and forced a fumble that was recovered by Jordyn Brooks at the New York 15-yard line and returned to the 7.

The Giants, who have yet to score a first-half touchdown this season, got a 55-yard field goal from Graham Gano with 3:05 remaining before intermission.

Lock led the Seahawks on a seven play, 75-yard drive, capped by Walker’s 1-yard scoring run, to make it 14-3 with 1:39 left in the second quarter. Walker’s TD plunge came after a third-and-10 screen pass to tight end Noah Fant, who broke a tackle and tight-roped down the sideline for 51 yards to the 1.

Seahawks safety Jamal Adams, playing in his first game since tearing his quadriceps in the 2022 season opener, lasted just nine plays before sustaining a concussion when getting kneed in the head while trying to make a tackle on a scrambling Jones. Adams didn’t return.

–Field Level Media

49ers Control Shorthanded Giants, 30-12

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SANTA CLARA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – SF’s Brock Purdy passed for a regular-season career-high 310 yards and two touchdowns to help the San Francisco 49ers post a 30-12 victory over the New York Giants on Thursday night.

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Niners’ RB Christian McCaffrey rushed for a touchdown and totaled 119 yards (85 rushing, 34 receiving) for the 49ers (3-0), who won their 13th consecutive regular-season game. Deebo Samuel had six receptions for 129 yards and one score, George Kittle caught seven passes for 90 yards and Ronnie Bell hauled in his first career touchdown catch for San Francisco.

Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa recorded his first sack since signing a five-year, $170 million extension with the 49ers. The contract is the richest for a defender in NFL history.

Former 49ers running back Matt Breida rushed for a touchdown for the Giants (1-2), who played without star running back Saquon Barkley (ankle). The running game struggled without Barkley, with New York totaling 29 yards on 11 attempts.

Daniel Jones was 22-of-32 passing for 137 yards and one interception for the Giants.

San Francisco controlled the ball for 39:10 and had a 78-46 edge in plays. Purdy completed 25 of 37 passes as the 49ers outgained the Giants 441-150.

New York moved within 17-12 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter on Breida’s 8-yard scoring run. Jones was sacked on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.

San Francisco tacked on a 21-yard field goal by Jake Moody to hold an eight-point lead with 4:08 remaining in the period. Moody added a 36-yarder to increase the margin to 23-12 with 12:47 left in the game.

The 49ers put the game away on Purdy’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Samuel with 5:58 remaining in the contest.

San Francisco scored two second-quarter touchdowns while taking a 17-6 lead into halftime.

Purdy connected with Bell on a 9-yard scoring pass to give San Francisco a 10-3 lead with 7:49 left in the second quarter. Just over six minutes later, McCaffrey scored on a 4-yard run to boost the lead to 14.

New York’s Graham Gano kicked a 57-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.

San Francisco opened the game with a 15-play, 64-yard drive before settling for Moody’s 28-yard field goal. The Giants answered with a 44-yard field goal from Gano.

–Field Level Media

Giants Defeat Packers 27-22 in London

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LONDON – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – Saquon Barkley rushed for a 2-yard touchdown with 6:08 to play in the fourth quarter as the visiting New York Giants rallied to a 27-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in London.

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The Giants (4-1), who trailed 20-10 at the half, went in front 27-20 after Barkley took a direct snap and went over right end. Barkley set up the score, turning a short swing pass into a 41-yard gain to Packers’ 19-yard line.

Green Bay (3-2) drove to the Giants’ 6-yard line, but Aaron Rodgers‘ fourth-down pass attempt was batted at the line with just over a minute remaining. The Giants took a safety with 11 seconds left after punter Jamie Gillan ran out of the end zone. Rodgers was sacked and fumbled on the Packers’ final play before he could get off an attempted Hail Mary pass.

The Giants tied the game at 20-20 with 10:08 to play following a 15-play, 91-yard drive, capped by Gary Brightwell’s 2-yard touchdown run. Graham Gano’s 37-yard field goal on the opening possession of the third quarter brought New York within 20-13.

Barkley, who entered Sunday’s game with an NFL-best 463 yards rushing, finished with 70 yards on 13 carries. NY quarterback Daniel Jones, limited all week in practice with a sprained ankle, completed 21 of 27 passes for 217 yards. He added 37 yards on the ground on 10 attempts.

Rodgers completed 18 of 24 passes for 147 yards in the first half with two touchdowns, but finished 25 of 39 for 222 yards.

Rodgers capped a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis, putting the Packers up 17-3 midway through the second quarter. It was the first reception of the season for the 38-year-old Lewis and first touchdown catch since Nov. 29, 2020.

The Giants pulled within 17-10 when tight end Daniel Bellinger scored on a double reverse from 2 yards out with 1:15 left in the half. Barkley keyed the drive with a 40-yard run from a direct snap — the longest run allowed by the Packers this season.

Mason Crosby’s 48-yard field goal on the final play of the half put Green Bay up by 10.

Green Bay went in front 10-0 with a five-play, 60-yard drive late in the first quarter, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard.

–Field Level Media

NFL Sports Desk: Cowboys Rally in Second Half, Defeat NY Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and wire Service Report) – Cowboys’ reserve QB Cooper Rush passed for 215 yards and one touchdown and Tony Pollard rushed for 105 yards as the Dallas notched a 23-16 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.

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Cee Dee Lamb caught one-yard TD Pass with one hand in fourth quarter (Getty Images)

Rush completed 21 of 31 passes and guided Dallas (2-1) to its second consecutive win while starting in place of Dak Prescott (fractured right thumb) for the second straight game. Rush threw the tie-breaking touchdown in the fourth quarter to CeeDee Lamb, who caught eight passes for 87 yards.

Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown and DeMarcus Lawrence matched his career high of three sacks as the Cowboys defeated the NFC East rival Giants for the 10th time in the past 11 meetings.

Daniel Jones connected on 20 of 37 passes for 196 yards and one interception and added 79 rushing yards for the New York football Giants (2-1). Saquon Barkley rushed for 81 yards and one touchdown.

Dallas took a 20-13 lead on Rush’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Lamb with 8:30 remaining. The two teamed up for a 26-yard pass play to the 1 prior to the score. The Cowboys drove 89 yards on 11 plays.

The Dallas defense then forced a Giants punt, and KaVontae Turpin‘s 28-yard return placed the ball on the New York 35-yard line. The return set up Brett Maher’s 44-yard field goal that made it 23-13 with 5:58 remaining.

New York moved within seven on Graham Gano‘s 51-yard field goal with 3:37 remaining. The Giants had another chance, but Trevon Diggs intercepted Jones and Dallas took over at the New York 29 with 1:11 left and ran out the clock.

The Cowboys out-gained New York 391 yards to 336. Dallas sacked Jones five times.

Barkley gave the Giants a 13-6 lead when he scampered 36 yards for a touchdown with 5:31 left in the third quarter. Barkley started up the middle and veered to his left for the score to cap a six-play, 77-yard drive.

Dallas answered with a crisp nine-play, 75-yard excursion to tie the score on Elliott’s 1-yard run late in the third period.

Dallas struck first on Maher’s 26-yard field goal with 2:09 left in the opening quarter.

The Giants tied the score on Gano’s 42-yard field with 11:17 left in the second quarter. Just over two minutes later, Maher kicked a 28-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 6-3 advantage.

New York knotted the score when Gano booted a 51-yard field goal with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media