In a season marked by quarterback shakeups, the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants are set to face off on Thanksgiving Day 2024 with their backup signal-callers leading the charge. Cooper Rush will start under center for Dallas, while Drew Lock takes the reins for New York in a crucial NFC East matchup at AT&T Stadium.
Both teams enter the contest with sub-.500 records, as the Cowboys sit at 4-7 and the Giants at a dismal 2-9. However, Dallas holds the advantage in recent history, riding a seven-game winning streak against their division rival—tied for the third-longest active streak by any team against a single opponent.
Backup QBs Thrust into the Spotlight
Injuries have forced Rush and Lock into action, with the Giants’ planned starter Tommy DeVito sidelined by a forearm issue. Lock, who hasn’t started a game since December 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks, now finds himself tasked with leading the G-Men in one of the most high-profile games of the season.
It’s a huge opportunity for me, stepping in on such a big stage. I’m ready to show what I can do and help this team get a much-needed win.
– Drew Lock, New York Giants quarterback
On the other side, Rush is no stranger to filling in for the Cowboys’ usual starter. He’s compiled a respectable 4-2 record in spot starts over the past two seasons, proving himself a capable game manager in the Dallas offense.
A Thanksgiving Tradition Unlike Any Other
The Cowboys playing on Thanksgiving has become a time-honored NFL tradition, with 2024 marking the 56th consecutive year that “America’s Team” has hosted a holiday game. However, this season’s matchup comes with Dallas in unfamiliar territory—Thursday will be just the fourth time in the past 20 years that the Cowboys enter their Thanksgiving contest three or more games below .500.
Despite their struggles, the Cowboys remain optimistic about their chances to feast on a Giants team that has looked lost for most of the season. A Dallas win would mark their eighth straight victory over New York, further solidifying their dominance in this storied rivalry.
Key Matchups to Watch
While the quarterback duel between Rush and Lock will undoubtedly draw the most attention, several other matchups could decide the outcome of this NFC East clash:
- Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb vs. Giants CB Adoree’ Jackson
- Giants RB Saquon Barkley vs. Cowboys LB Micah Parsons
- Cowboys OT Tyron Smith vs. Giants DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
The battle in the trenches could prove particularly crucial, as both teams aim to establish the run and take pressure off their inexperienced quarterbacks. If the Cowboys’ offensive line can give Rush time to operate and open holes for running back Tony Pollard, Dallas should have the upper hand.
A Season-Defining Moment
For two teams desperate to turn their seasons around, this Thanksgiving showdown could serve as a catalyst for a late-year surge. A win would not only provide a much-needed boost in confidence but also keep the victor’s faint playoff hopes alive in a wide-open NFC East.
We know what’s at stake. It’s a chance for us to show the world that we’re better than our record suggests and that we’re not going down without a fight.
– DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys defensive end
As the Cowboys and Giants prepare to renew their Thanksgiving rivalry, fans across the country will tune in to see which team can rise to the occasion and claim victory in this critical matchup. With backup quarterbacks leading the charge and seasons hanging in the balance, the stage is set for an unforgettable holiday clash in Big D.
