It was a long time coming. Dallas Cowboys (4-7) got back in the win column in Week 12 with a 34-26 win over Washington. Now, they shift their attention to a short week and a Thanksgiving matchup with the New York Giants (2-9). Dallas has dominated the Giants recently with seven straight wins, including their 20-15 win in Week 4.
However, the Cowboys are looking for their first home win of the season after starting 0-5 at AT&T Stadium.
This will be a much different look as both teams are without their original starting quarterbacks, for two very different reasons. Cooper Rush and Tommy DeVito will start behind center in a battle of the backups.
Here are 10 more notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Thursday's 3:25pm CT kickoff on FOX.
Here are 10 notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Thursday's 3:30 CT kickoff on Fox.
First Game Ever
Special teams had a day on Sunday. The Cowboys-Commanders game was the first game in the Super Bowl era to include a blocked punt, a blocked field goal, two missed point after attempts, two kickoff returns for a touchdown. The two touchdowns and a missed point after attempt happened in the wild fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter Madness
The Cowboys and Commanders combined for 41 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. Tying the franchise record for most combined points in a fourth quarter with the 2013 meeting at Detroit in Week 8. It's also tied for the most points combined in the final frame across the NFL this season with the Colts and Jaguars in Week 5.
Turpin Return History
With his 99-yard kick return touchdown against the Commanders, KaVontae Turpin became the fifth player since the 1970 merger and the ninth player all-time to score a kick return touchdown, punt return touchdown, and 60-plus yard receiving touchdown in the same season. The last to do it was Hall of Famer Devin Hester with Chicago in 2007.
4-Way Player
KaVontae Turpin became the second player in Cowboys history, joining Kevin Williams, to score touchdowns rushing, receiving and on both punt and kickoff return. This year, Turpin had a 60-yard punt return against the Browns, a 64-yard TD reception last week against Houston and then the 99-yarder against Washington.
Teaching Tough Lessons
Dallas defeated former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in Week 12, who is in his first season as head coach in Washington. The Cowboys improve to 9-2-1 against former coordinators or head coaches in their first meeting with a new team. The last time Dallas won such a game was in 2019 also against Washington, who was being led by former coordinator Bill Callahan.
Cowboys Not-so-Friendly Confines
The Cowboys have been outscored by an average of 23.6 points in their first five home games this season. That is on track for the worst home point differential of all time, with a minimum of four games played. Only the 1939 Chicago Cardinals (-26.3) in three games and the 1926 Hammond Pros (26.0) in one game had a worse home point differential.
Something Has to Give
The Giants have allowed 140 rushing yards or more in each of the last five rushing games. They rank 30th in the league, allowing 140.7 yards per game. But they'll face a Cowboys offense that ranks 31st in rushing and has yet to have a running total more than 137 yards this season.
Giant Leap Needed
Micah Parsons has dominated just about all of his opponents over the years, but for some reason, the stats aren't there against the Giants. Parsons has faced New York seven times but has just three sacks, and none in the last two meetings. To compare, he has eight sacks in the seven games against Washington and five in six games vs. Philadelphia. Perhaps, he can reverse that trend Thursday against the Giants, who are dealing with several offensive line injuries.
Turkey Streak?
The Cowboys are seeking their third straight win on Thanksgiving Day, something that hasn't been done in 15 years. In 2009, the first season they opened AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys defeated the Raiders for a fourth straight Thanksgiving Day win, which carried over from Texas Stadium (2006-08). The Cowboys' longest streak of Thanksgiving wins is six, from 1980-85.
Lopsided History
The Cowboys have played the Giants 125 times in franchise history, but only twice on Thanksgiving. And so far, it has been rather one-sided. Dallas has defeated the Giants by a combined 58-23, including a 30-3 win in 1992, followed by a 28-20 win in 2022.
