ARLINGTON, Texas — Nothing has been pretty for the Dallas Cowboys (4-7) this season, but their efforts looked a lot cleaner against the struggling New York Giants (2-9). They took a 13-10 lead into the locker room at halftime on Thanksgiving Day.
The Cowboys bullied the Giants offensive line for the bulk of the first half. Three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons applied constant pressure, but the biggest play of the first half was made by Dallas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. He showcased his high level athleticism by deflecting Giants quarterback Drew Lock’s play-action screen pass high into the air and then catching it to run it all the way back for a 23-yard interception return touchdown. That allowed Dallas to regain the lead and go up six, 13-7, with 11:29 left in the half.
Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle gave Dallas’ offense a jolt in the first quarter with consecutive runs of 22 yards and 13 yards to cap the quarter. His 22-yard gain occurred on a second-and-21 following an offensive facemask call against Dallas fill-in left tackle Chuma Edoga. Dowdle looked like a prime Ezekiel Elliott on that play, dragging Giants defenders across the line to gain to move the chains. He finished the half with 50 yards on eight carries. Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush threw for an unspectacular 116 yards on 12 of 24 passing.
Lock produced the most critical offensive play for the Giants in the first half with a 28-yard scramble on third-and-6 from the Cowboys 29. The middle of the field parted like the red sea, and the very next play, Giants running back Tyrone Tracy dove into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown. That put New York up 7-3 after their opening drive. Lock finished the half as New York’s leading rusher with 28 yards on two carries on top of throwing for 55 yards and a pick-six on 8 of 17 passing. After sixth overall pick wide receiver Malik Nabers failed to receive a first-half target for the first time in his career in Week 12, the Giants went to him early and often. He registered 49 receiving yards and five catches on eight targets.
Can the Cowboys defense keep Nabers and the Giants at bay to win their first home game since Week 17 of last season? Or will Lock stage a New York rally in the second half to defeat Dallas on Thanksgiving for the first time? Stay tuned to our live blog below to find out!
Cowboys vs. Giants where to watch
Date: Thursday, Nov. 28 | Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Channel: FOX | Stream: fubo (try for free)
Follow: CBS Sports App
NFL betting odds: Cowboys -3.5; O/U 37 (via Caesars)
Read the full article here