Dallas Breaks Home Losing Streak
The Dallas Cowboys celebrated their first home win in nearly a year, defeating the New York Giants 27-20. The Thanksgiving Day victory at AT&T Stadium ended a dismal 334-day drought. The Cowboys had not won at home since December 30, 2023, when they beat the Detroit Lions.
Coach Mike McCarthy expressed relief, saying, “It was definitely overdue. It was important to get the win on a lot of fronts, but it was really important to get a home win.”
They had lost six consecutive home games before this win, setting an NFL record by trailing by at least 20 points in all six losses.
Historic Streaks and Redemption
Before the streak of home losses, the Cowboys enjoyed a 16-game home-winning streak, the second-longest in team history. Thursday’s victory avoided the third 0-6 home start in franchise history, dodging comparisons to the 1960 and 1989 disastrous seasons.
Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager, said, “I hate it so much for our fans to have this run of losses when we’ve been so proud of our home winning streak. So it’s good to get this win here at home.”
Defeating the Giants Once Again
The Cowboys extended their dominance over the Giants with their eighth consecutive victory against them. Running back Rico Dowdle led the offensive charge, becoming the first Cowboys player to rush for over 100 yards in 26 games.
The defensive unit played a crucial role, shutting down the Giants’ limited offence, led by their third quarterback of the season, Drew Lock. The Cowboys recorded six sacks, tying their season-high, and delivered a game-changing moment in the second quarter.
Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made an acrobatic pick-six, intercepting a Lock pass and returning it for a touchdown. This play gave the Cowboys a lead they never surrendered.
“I knew a play was coming,” Overshown said. “I didn’t know when it was coming, but it was coming. I was just playing football. [Saw] the ball, tipped it, and I was just praying the whole time that it stayed up.”
Cowboys’ Recent Momentum
The win against the Giants marked the Cowboys’ second consecutive victory, following their triumph over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. This two-game winning streak improved their record to 5-7.
McCarthy acknowledged the progress, stating, “We feel a lot differently today than we did Saturday night going into Washington. That’s fair and accurate. It’s a good feeling.”
The Cowboys face the Cincinnati Bengals next on Monday Night Football on December 9, followed by the Carolina Panthers on December 15.
Injuries Plague the Cowboys
The Cowboys’ victory was marred by injuries to key players. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb aggravated a right shoulder injury in the third quarter and did not return. Lamb has played through a sprained AC joint since November 3, describing this as the most physically challenging season of his career.
Safety Juanyeh Thomas and cornerback Josh Butler also left the game with knee injuries. The team hopes defensive stalwarts DeMarcus Lawrence and Trevon Diggs can return for the Bengals game.
Linebacker Micah Parsons, who recorded 1.5 sacks against the Giants, acknowledged the challenges ahead. “Now my focus is heading to the Bengals, understanding how they’re going to attack us. They got some dudes,” Parsons said.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys aim to build on their recent success and remain in the playoff hunt. The schedule offers a chance for recovery before their crucial matchups against Cincinnati and Carolina.
McCarthy emphasised the importance of rest, saying, “The rest might be the most important part of the schedule. I do want them to get away, get their batteries charged and be ready to go.”
While still outside the playoff picture, the Cowboys believe they are turning a corner. “We are going to have to play our best football, clearly, in front of us,” McCarthy concluded.
Key Player Stats
- DeMarvion Overshown: One interception returned for a touchdown, changing the game’s momentum.
- Rico Dowdle: Over 100 rushing yards, ending the Cowboys’ 26-game drought without a 100-yard rusher.
- Micah Parsons: Recorded 1.5 sacks, boosting his season total to 6.5 despite missing four games.
Cowboys Score Recap
The Cowboys built their lead with steady offence and dominant defence, ensuring the Giants never reclaimed control. The victory gives fans hope for a stronger finish to the season.
