The Cowboys cannot lose this game.

Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders / Timothy Nwachukwu/GettyImages

Following Sunday’s thrilling win in Washington, there is suddenly some juice behind the Dallas’ Cowboys’ Thanksgiving showdown against the New York Giants. While nobody is saying the playoffs are realistic, improving to 5-7 will at least give Dallas a puncher’s chance with five games left.

The NFL is a week-to-week league, so overlooking the Giants is the absolute last thing this team should do. While the Cowboys played well in Week 12, they were dangerously close to going to overtime after leading 20-9 with three minutes left in the game.

Having said that, Dallas could not have asked for an “easier” matchup as they aim to further resuscitate their season.

Mired in a six-game losing streak, the Giants turned to emergency third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito after releasing Daniel Jones. New York would have liked to start DeVito for the rest of the season, but his status for Thursday is now in doubt due to a forearm injury, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

If DeVito can’t go, Drew Lock would be in line to start on Thanksgiving.

Giants’ final injury report proves Cowboys must win on Thanksgiving

It’s a longshot that QB Tommy DeVito will be able to play Thursday vs. Cowboys, per source. That puts Drew Lock in line for a start.

The Giants say DeVito is undergoing further evaluation.#Giants #Cowboys

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 27, 2024

It’s arguable that Lock gives the Giants a better chance to win than DeVito. Lock has more starting experience relative to DeVito and even led a heroic comeback last season against the Eagles while he was with the Seahawks.

With that said, the last time we saw Lock he looked anything but an adequate quarterback. He only played one game in the preseason due to injury, but completed just four of 10 passes for 17 yards and an interception. His 30.3 passing grade ranked 90th among 93 qualified QBs, per PFF.

On top of DeVito, the Giants will also be without left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor due to a quad injury and edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, who was placed on injured reserve with a toe injury. With Andrew Thomas out for the season, New York will be down both starting offensive tackles.

The Cowboys’ defense happens to be coming off its best game of the season.

More specifically, the entire defensive line – Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Chauncey Golston and Mazi Smith – was dominant from the jump. DeMarvion Overshown was once again efficient when blitzing and Joudan Lewis pitched in with three defensive stops and the highest defensive grade on the team, per PFF. They got contributions up and down the roster.

With the defense (seemingly) finally finding its stride and the Giants decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball – especially on offense – the Cowboys have no excuse not to hold serve at home on Thanksgiving.