Can the Giants pull one out in Jerry World?
The New York Giants will travel to Jerry World to take on the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
The schedule makers probably had dreams of a classic rivalry renewed when they put this game on the calendar. There’s always an excitement for the Cowboys, and the Giants might finally have been headed in the right direction as they went all-in on Daniel Jones as he returned from a torn ACL. Combine that with two of the biggest and most passionate fanbases in the NFL, and you can see why the NFL wanted this game.
Now, however, this is a matchup between two disappointing and injury-ravaged teams who are a combined 6-16 on the year.
But someone has to win this game, so will the Giants have anything to be thankful for when the game is over?
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Tony DelGenio
How could it get worse? The starting quarterback is gone, the offense can’t move the ball and score, the defense can’t stop opposing offenses, the head coach’s job is in jeopardy, and the star first round draft pick is mouthing off.
Oh, you thought I was talking about the Giants? True, many of those things fit them to a t. But I meant the Dallas Cowboys. Cooper Rush is in for injured starter Dak Prescott. Dallas is 11th lowest in yards gained (Giants, eighth-lowest) and 10th lowest in points scored (Giants, lowest). Dallas has given up the eighth-most yards (Giants, 15th) and second-most points (Giants, 18th). Mike McCarthy’s seat is as hot as Brian Daboll’s. And Micah Parsons has been critical of McCarthy, just as Malik Nabers has (indirectly, anyway) been of Daboll during the losing.
The Giants really had the better of the play in their first matchup and should have won, but didn’t. I don’t expect them to this time, either. Parsons has been defiant that the team is not tanking, and they showed heart in defeating Washington. The Giants lack such a leader and laid down for Tampa Bay. It could all change with one win this Sunday, especially if Evan Neal and Chris Hubbard can neutralize Parsons and Chauncey Golston and if Tae Banks can blanket CeeDee Lamb. Uh-oh.
Pick: Cowboys
Chris Pflum
I can’t in good faith pick the Giants to win this game.
This game will likely come down to a question of which defense can impose its will and take over the game. The Giants have the talent to do that, but I don’t know if they can bring themselves to do so. The defense has had to deal with an albatross of an offense tied around its neck, and it has clearly worn on them.
The Giants’ offense, meanwhile, doesn’t even know who their quarterback will be, and Chris Hubbard might be blocking Micah Parsons. Not an awesome combination, any way you slice it. I’m expecting an ugly, sloppy game from two beat up teams, but the Giants just seem more lost at the moment.
If I’m being perfectly honest, I don’t expect there to be any winners in this game, apart from the NFL’s bank account.
Pick: Cowboys
Nick Falato
I hope to see some resilience and fight with the Giants after a dreadful effort in Week 12 against the Buccaneers. If there is no fight at all, this franchise needs to turn the page quickly, and it could happen on the truncated bye week that playing on a Thursday provides. See how I’m advocating for a fight and not a win — that’s how down-bad this Giants’ team is right now.
Dallas is a beatable team. The Giants could find a way to steal this game if they were in the right head-space; I’m not convinced they’re in the right head-space. It could be a long day for the offense if Jermaine Eluemunor can’t suit up — and Evan Neal, for that matter, which tells you how bleak the situation is. I have Dallas winning.
Pick: Cowboys
James Hickey
Does it seem like every move that general manger Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have made this year has gone absolutely wrong? The latest is having to place OLB Azeez Ojulari on the IR after not trading him at the deadline. It has been that type of season.
So why I am picking the Giants to win? Because the team’s best players—Dexter Lawerence and Malik Nabers—will be under the spotlight to perform after their comments on Sunday and Daboll is probably coaching for his future with the Giants on Thanksgiving. I think the team finds a way to win on Thanksgiving.
Pick: Giants
David Hartman
You know what’s good about this game? It’s right at the time that many families sit down for the big meal. It’s a great excuse to avert your eyes. So enjoy your turkey and stuffing.
Is this the saddest game in the history of this storied rivalry? Maybe. The starting QBs are going to be Cooper Rush and either Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock. The teams are a combined 0-11 at home this season. Dallas won last week, but that snapped a 5-game losing streak and get this: They’ve trailed by at least 20 points in six straight home games dating back to their home playoff loss to Green Bay in January, an NFL record. And get this, Part II: They’re the happier story of the two teams. The Giants have presumably hit rock bottom after their embarrassing 30-7 home loss to Tampa. Or have they? The vibes are awful right now, they’ve lost seven straight, and it’s a short week.
The Cowboys won the first meeting between the teams, 20-15. They could have a letdown after their big road win at Washington, but I’ll take them at home against <sigh> the NFL’s worst team.
Pick: Cowboys
Valentine’s View
I think the Giants will put together a better effort on Thursday. They were truly embarrassed by the product they put on the field Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Will they win? Nah!
Pick: Cowboys
