Tag: Cowboys

Dec 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes the ball while being hit by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Panthers ready for rare role as favorite vs. Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers have been down for so long that playing the underdog card is a possibility most of the time.

That makes the Dallas Cowboys’ visit to Charlotte for a Sunday afternoon game a rarity: The Panthers are listed as the favorite by oddsmakers for the first time since December 2022.

That’s about as surprising for the Panthers (3-10) as it is unique.

“Vegas is very good with the odds,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said. “I just try to make the focus about us, about what is our next step. Those things don’t help us. I try not to use external things to motivate our guys. The motivation for us and the story all along is: Can we find our best?”

The Cowboys (5-8) have a quick turnaround with a road game following a 27-20 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Playoff prospects are dimming for Dallas.

“We’re going to need a lot of help, but it doesn’t matter,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “We need to beat Carolina. You play Monday night, there’s not a whole lot of time to spend on (the previous) game, regardless of the outcome.”

The Panthers have lost their last three games, but the setbacks to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles all went down to the final seconds.

“Finishing is in the details,” Canales said. “We see progress, but the goal is to win these games. … I know the best is still out there for us.”

Dallas has been in one-possession games for three consecutive weeks, winning the first two of those.

The Cowboys is using Cooper Rush at quarterback with Dak Prescott out. Rush didn’t reach the 200-yard mark in passing the past two weeks after a couple of big production games.

McCarthy said there’s not much time to consider significant changes with reduced time between games.

Despite what might be uneasiness at quarterback, the Cowboys have the league’s third-leading receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who has 973 yards. Running back Rico Dowell has given the Dallas offense a boost with back-to-back games 100-plus-yard games on the ground.

“We’ve always loved his run style,” McCarthy said. “He definitely fits the way we’re running the football, particularly the last three games.”

The Cowboys’ defensive front features linebacker Micah Parsons, a nuisance for most opponents as evidenced by his team-high 6.5 sacks.

“He puts himself in different spots,” Canales said. “We just have to be aware of where he’s at. You can’t just tilt your entire game plan, you just have to be aware.”

Last year, Parsons had six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, in Dallas’ 33-10 rout of the Panthers.

Yet the Cowboys will be regrouping at linebacker after losing DeMarvion Overshown to a season-ending knee injury in the Bengals game.

Carolina quarterback Bryce Young threw an interception for the first time in four games last week. Still, his progress is charting in the right direction.

“His competitiveness showing up in these situations,” Canales said. “If he prides himself on one thing, it’s consistency.”

Carolina’s depth could be tested at running back with Raheem Blackshear missing practice on Wednesday due to a chest ailment.

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (groin tightness) likely will be a game-day decision, Canales said.

Dallas center Cooper Beebe, who sustained a concussion on Monday, did not practice on Wednesday.

The Cowboys are 11-3 all-time in regular-season play against Carolina, including a 6-1 mark in Charlotte. However, the Panthers won both of the teams’ playoff matchups, after the 1996 and 2003 seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) is helped off the field after an injury in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown to have season-ending surgery

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Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown will require season-ending surgery on his right knee, owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.

Jones said the team was awaiting MRI results to determine the extent of Overshown’s injury. Without that information, Jones couldn’t reveal a timeline for the linebacker’s recovery.

Overshown sustained the injury early in the fourth quarter of Monday’s 27-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and did not return to the game.

At the end of a 2-yard run by running back Chase Brown, Overshown’s right leg was rolled up on and pinned by tumbling Cincinnati center Ted Karras. Overshown was being blocked by Bengals guard Alex Cappa at the time.

Overshown, 24, was having a breakout campaign after missing out on his rookie season when he tore the ACL in his left knee during a preseason game. He started all but one game this season and had been a bright spot in a rather disappointing season for the Cowboys (5-8).

“I just can’t tell you how bad I feel for him,” Jones said. “Because he’s just been through that mental and the physical rehab on his other knee. To turn around and have to go through that again … it’s the toughest time for a player.”

Overshown recorded 90 tackles (56 solo), eight tackles for loss, five sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception in 13 games (12 starts) this season.

The interception, which was returned 23 yards for a touchdown, came in Dallas’ 27-20 win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs past Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) in the first quarter during Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,Texas on Monday, December 9, 2024.

Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase take over as Bengals edge Cowboys

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Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase on a 40-yard touchdown pass with 1:01 remaining to give the Cincinnati Bengals a 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night in Arlington, Texas.

The Cowboys (5-8) were on the verge of a huge break when former Bengal Nick Vigil blocked a Cincinnati punt just after the two-minute warning. However, teammate Amani Oruwariye muffed the recovery and Maema Njongmeta grabbed the ball to give Cincinnati possession.

Three plays later, Burrow hit Chase for the game-winning points.

Dallas got up to its own 48 on the final drive of the game but could get no further.

Burrow was 33-for-44 passing for 369 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for the Bengals (5-8), who snapped a three-game skid. Chase hauled in 14 catches for 177 yards and a pair of scores.

Cooper Rush completed 16 of 31 passes for 183 yards, two TDs and a pick as the Cowboys got outgained 433-322. Rico Dowdle led the rushing attack with 131 yards on 18 carries.

Cade York drew the Bengals even at 20-20 with a 29-yard field goal with 10:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys had overcome a 17-10 halftime deficit. They started the second half strong, moving 70 yards on eight plays in just 4:28 to make it 17-17. Rush capped the impressive march with a 3-yard scoring strike to Brandin Cooks.

Brandon Aubrey booted a 47-yard field goal early in the fourth to put Dallas up 20-17.

The teams traded first-quarter touchdowns, with Rush hooking up with CeeDee Lamb for an 11-yard score before Chase hauled in a pass from Burrow and got into the end zone from 5 yards out to forge a 7-7 tie.

Lamb finished with 93 yards and the TD on six catches.

After Aubrey drilled a 35-yarder, Burrow threw a 19-yard touchdown to Chase Brown to give Cincinnati a 14-10 edge with 3:30 to play in the first half.

York made good on a 37-yard field goal three minutes later for the 17-10 advantage at intermission.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) on fourth down in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown injures knee vs. Bengals

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Dallas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown left the Cowboys’ game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals early in the fourth quarter Monday night after getting his right leg tangled as he was being blocked.

He sat out the remainder of the Cowboys’ 27-20 defeat.

At the end of a 2-yard run by Bengals running back Chase Brown, Overshown’s right leg was rolled up on and pinned by a tumbling Cincinnati lineman while Bengals guard Alex Cappa was blocking Overshown.

The linebacker remained on the ground, grabbing at his right knee.

Overshown, 24, is having a breakout campaign after missing out on his rookie season.

Drafted in the third round out of Texas in 2023, Overshown sat out last year after sustaining a torn ACL in his left knee during a preseason game. He has started all but one game this season and has been a bright spot on a rather disappointing season for the Cowboys.

In 12 games entering Monday, Overshown had 84 tackles (52 solo), eight tackles for loss, five sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception.

The interception came in Dallas’ most recent game and Overshown returned it 23 yards for a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 27-20 win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving. Before the injury, Overshown had six tackles (four solo) in the Monday game and a pass defensed, his fourth of the season.

The Cowboys also lost starting center Cooper Beebe to a concussion in the first half. Brock Hoffman replaced Beebe.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs for a touchdown to score the first points of the game, Sunday, October 13, 2024, in East Rutherford.

Week 14 MNF: Cowboys-Bengals Preview, Prop and Prediction

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A Week 14 matchup between the Bengals and Cowboys looked intriguing when the league released the schedule.

Not many expected these teams to be near the bottom of the pecking order in the playoff picture.

Cincinnati (4-8) and Dallas (5-7) have a 2% chance of reaching the postseason according to NFL.com’s playoff predictor.

With such a grim outlook, these defenses could be particularly vulnerable.

As a result, this is a matchup where offenses are in line for big numbers, so it’s no surprise that we have a total of 49.5.

The Bengals have the more fluid offense and would be in a better spot in the standings if not for quite a few bad breaks. We’ll explain why bettors should expect the Bengals to jump out to a fast start on Monday night.

–Joe Burrow has been elite

Per TeamRankings, the Jets (-2.7) are the only team with a worse luck factor than the Bengals (-2.4).

That metric suggests that, with a little better luck, the Bengals could have had an additional 2.4 wins on the year.

They’ve gotten excellent play at the quarterback position from Joe Burrow, who leads the league with 30 touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions.

Burrow’s play has been so good that he even ranks second in Total QBR with a 74.2 value. Given the importance of the position, it’s rare that you see a quarterback with such a high Total QBR on a team that’s four games under .500.

It’s worth noting that Burrow still managed to put up these prodigious numbers despite not having one of his best wide receivers, Tee Higgins, for five games.

Higgins is now back with the team, which should help Cincinnati’s all-gas and no-brakes offense.

-Prop Play
It’s a night for the receivers in Dallas, a duel that spotlights No. 1 targets CeeDee Lamb and Ja’Marr Chase.

Lamb was slow to return to the practice field midweek but is ready to go and will be active against a Bengals’ defense with no true No. 1 cornerback. He’ll be targeted early and is a bargain for two-plus catches on the opening drive (+350).

We are resisting that early wager based on the number of variables at play and Cooper Rush’s wild inconsistency working from the pocket.

But both offenses will get plenty of yards and air it out, making the two-player prop for these wide receivers an easy decision.

Prop pick: CeeDee Lamb alternate receiving yards, 70-plus; Ja’Marr Chase alternate receiving yards, 90-plus (+285, FanDuel)

–Bengals’ offense is their best defense
Given Burrow’s performances, the Bengals have no choice but to lean on him to get the offense going. Cincinnati has the fourth-highest pass-play rate (64.3%) in the league, mainly because its defense can barely stop a nosebleed at this point.

Moreover, the Bengals have the fourth-worst defense by DVOA standards. They particularly struggle against the pass, which the Cowboys offense will look to take advantage of after posting back-to-back wins to snap a five-game losing streak.

Considering that Dallas also has the third-highest pass-play rate (64.9%), it’s no secret what these offenses will try to do once they get on the field.

While Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush has looked better in his last few games, there’s no comparison between him and Burrow.

The Bengals are in a position where they can’t relax on offense because of their leaky defense. They should have plenty of success against a Dallas team that struggles to get stops inside the red zone, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on a league-worst 76.9% of their trips.

When you combine that with Cincinnati having the second-best red zone offense (71%), it could be a long night for the Cowboys’ defense.

However, the number that stands out the most is that the Cowboys’ defense gives up an average of 20.7 first-half points per game to visiting teams.

That stat is simply too good to pass up, making the Bengals’ first-half team total of 13.5 points a play worth targeting on Monday night.

Best Bet: Bengals 1H team total over 13.5 (-118 at DraftKings)

–Michael Nwaneri, Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Cowboys on upswing ahead of matchup with struggling Bengals

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The Dallas Cowboys will attempt to continue their late-season turnaround and unlikely push for the playoffs when they host the underachieving Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

Fresh from their first home win of the season, over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys (5-7) are suddenly riding a two-game win streak and play their next two games against teams with losing records.

The Bengals (4-8) are in the midst of their second three-game skid of the season after dropping a 44-38 shootout to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

Both teams have been deeply disappointing in 2024. The biggest reason in each case is leaky defense. The Bengals and Cowboys are tied for 29th in most points allowed, each averaging 28.3 points per game to the opposition. The Bengals scored 99 points in their past three games but gave up 113 and dropped all three contests.

Injuries have been another key factor for both, but the Cowboys are getting healthier while the Bengals are not.

Dallas lost star quarterback Dak Prescott for the season to hamstring surgery, while Pro Bowlers Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs and Zack Martin have all missed time over the first 12 games.

Receiver Brandin Cooks returned last week, and coach Mike McCarthy was hopeful that Diggs and Martin could be back in time for the Monday game. Diggs (knee) was limited in practice on Thursday, while Martin (ankle/shoulder) sat out. McCarthy said Thursday that Martin will have season-ending surgery on his injured ankle.

Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) sat out the Thursday practice, but he was considered likely to play on Monday.

Prescott this week gave McCarthy, in the final year of his contract, a vote of confidence in an interview with Yahoo Sports.

McCarthy reacted, “I’m not sure what exactly he said, but it’s just like anything. We are in Year 5 of a program. We have a lot of excellent things in place. I think we have some things we can do better, and I think it’s all part of growing. It’s no different the way I felt in Year 5 or 6 in my last opportunity.”

Lawrence remains on injured reserve with a foot injury and is unlikely to return in time to play Monday night, but he’s getting closer to rejoining the team.

Backup quarterback Cooper Rush has won his last two games against the Washington Commanders and the Giants while playing turnover-free football. Rush is 2-2 in his four starts since Prescott went down. He is set to start against the Bengals for the second time, having led the Cowboys to a 20-17 win in 2022 when Prescott was injured.

Since Parsons returned from a high ankle sprain, the star pass rusher has 5.5 sacks in four games, including three multi-sack games. Parsons has a team-leading 6.5 sacks in eight games this season and is on pace to lead the team in sacks for the fourth straight year.

The Bengals lost two key players this week as kicker Evan McPherson was placed on IR with a groin injury and linebacker Logan Wilson underwent knee surgery that likely will end his season.

The Bengals have been without defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins due to a viral illness while cornerbacks Dax Hill (knee) and DJ Turner (clavicle) are out for the season. Left tackle Orlando Brown (fibula) sat out practice on Thursday.

The Bengals have the NFL’s top touchdown passer, Joe Burrow with 30, the top receiver, Ja’Marr Chase with 1,142 yards, and the top sacker, Trey Hendrickson with 11.5, yet they have won just four games.

“This is a tough season,” Burrow said. “The cornerstones of this organization are going to be remembered by more than just this season. We will be remembered by how we handled this. It’s still an exciting opportunity to go out and play for this city and this team every week. That’s something that I don’t take for granted.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) looks up at the scoreboard during the first quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) misses practice, plans to play

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Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb did his best to silence alarms over his absence at Thursday’s practice and repeated his plan is to play Monday night when Dallas faces the Cincinnati Bengals in Arlington, Texas.

“Still have the shoulder injury, which I’ve been dealing with for four or five weeks,” Lamb said Thursday. “As far as Monday goes, I’ll be fine.”

Lamb leads the team with 79 receptions for 880 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.

He and the Cowboys are benefitting from an 11-day break between Thanksgiving Day and their primetime matchup with the Bengals on Monday night.

Lamb said the injury is similar to a shoulder issue he dealt with while at Oklahoma.

“I have my range of motion and I have my strength back.” Lamb said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) blocks during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Cowboys G Zack Martin to have season-ending ankle surgery

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Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin will have season-ending surgery on his right ankle, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy announced Thursday.

McCarthy acknowledged that he had a conversation with Martin this week, with the latter determining that surgery was the best avenue toward recovery.

“He’s gonna be missed,” McCarthy said. “We’re not gonna replace Zack Martin, by any means. … He brings so much to the team and the team culture. We all recognize what kind of player he’s been here in Dallas, but the type of person he is — people gravitate to him. His leadership, he’ll definitely be missed in that area.”

Martin, 34, is in the final year of his contract. He said in June that retirement was an option following this season.

A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Martin was named the Cowboys’ 2024 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award on Thursday.

Martin last played in Dallas’ 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Nov. 18.

He has started 10 games this season and all 162 in which he has played since the Cowboys selected him with the 16th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) rushes the passer during the second quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Cowboys finally win at home, hand Giants seventh straight loss

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Rico Dowdle ran for 112 yards and a touchdown while the Dallas Cowboys’ defense came up with six sacks and a pick-6 Thursday in a 27-20 win over the visiting New York Giants in Arlington, Texas.

Cooper Rush completed 21 of 36 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown as Dallas (5-7) became the last franchise in the four major sports to win a home game in this calendar year. It was the team’s second win in five days, keeping alive its long-shot hopes for an NFC playoff berth.

Drew Lock hit 21 of 32 passes for 178 yards and an interception for New York, which dropped to 2-10 with its seventh straight loss. Lock pulled the Giants within a touchdown on an 8-yard run with 2:18 left in the game.

However, Dallas was able to seal the outcome via Rush’s 3-yard pass to Brandin Cooks to gain a first down on the first play after the two-minute warning.

The Cowboys took control with two third-quarter touchdowns, giving them a 27-10 advantage. Rush threw to Cooks for a 2-yard strike at the 11:37 mark and Dowdle added a 4-yard touchdown run just more than seven minutes later.

Dallas finished with a 317-247 advantage in total yards as it completed a season sweep of New York.

The pregame storyline concerned how New York would perform offensively while adjusting to its third different starting quarterback in as many weeks. Daniel Jones started during a Nov. 10 loss to Carolina, while Tommy DeVito got the call last Sunday against Tampa Bay but was injured.

With Lock calling signals, the Giants took a 7-3 lead with 3:06 left in the first quarter as Tyrone Tracy Jr. capped a drive of nearly seven minutes on a 1-yard touchdown run. But that lead would not last.

Dallas moved in front with two scores in 15 seconds — Brandon Aubrey’s 33-yard field goal and a 23-yard interception return by DeMarvion Overshown with 11:29 remaining in the second quarter. Graham Gano bombed a 46-yard field goal 3:21 before the half, making it 13-10 at intermission.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) makes a touchdown catch past New York Giants safety Bobby McCain (21) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

NFL Thanksgiving: Giants-Cowboys Preview, Props, Prediction

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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.

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