The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a spot many wouldn’t have guessed they’d be in after losing quarterback Dak Prescott to season-ending surgery just two weeks ago.
After two straight victories, including a 27-20 Thanksgiving Day battering of the New York Giants, Dallas (5-7) is back in the NFC playoff hunt.
Quarterback Cooper Rush is 2-2 under center in place of the injured Prescott, adding 192 yards and a touchdown pass on Thursday to his relief resume.
But it was the Cowboys defense that stole the day, logging two crucial turnovers, including a pick-six in the first half.
Dallas’ next two opponents are both under .500 on the year and offer the team an opportunity to get back to 7-7. However, after that, its final three contests are against playoff contenders, including two more division opponents.
On the other side of the ball, the New York Giants (2-10) found the semblance of an NFL offense it once possessed in years past. But dropped passes and turnovers prevented a more competitive performance.
New York is that much closer to a second consecutive top draft pick, but that may be little consolation if the season ends with yet another regime change.
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are on a boiling hot seat despite owner John Mara preaching patience.
Since the pair arrived in 2022, the franchise saw one playoff victory that made the fanbase feel like the post-Eli Manning rebuild was ahead of schedule. But an 8-21 record, losing a star running back and waiving a first-round quarterback says otherwise.
If New York can’t hit a home run on its draft selection in 2025, that supposed rebuild will have taken major steps backward.
Thursday was further evidence of regression, but at some point, the team needs to show signs it can improve under the current leadership.
If there’s anything to be thankful for in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it’s the fact that the Giants are still a young group of players and boast one of the strongest defensive rosters in the league. Things will turn around… eventually.
