Live Updates: Cowboys vs. Giants Thanksgiving Game Score & Highlights
This Thanksgiving, the New York Giants are set to go head-to-head with the Dallas Cowboys for the second time in three years. They’ll kick off the day’s NFL action as divisional rivals.
The Dallas Cowboys come into the game full of confidence after a thrilling 34-26 victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 12. In a wild finish, the two teams combined for an incredible 41 points in the last eight minutes, which included two kick return touchdowns from the Cowboys. This victory ended a five-game losing streak and marked the first win with quarterback Cooper Rush, who has stepped in following Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury.
In contrast, the New York Giants faced a rough outing in Week 12. After benching and subsequently releasing their long-time starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, the team managed a mere 245 total yards in a 30-7 home defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A one-yard touchdown run by running back Devin Singletary in the fourth quarter was the sole highlight, preventing a shutout for New York. Quarterback Drew Lock will be making his first start of the season this Thanksgiving.
This game marks only the third Thanksgiving matchup between these two rivals, with the Cowboys having previously won both encounters, in 2022 and 1992. Keep following for ongoing updates about this holiday football game.
Cowboys Offense Kicks Off
The Cowboys will start their first drive from their own 30 yard line after a touchback.
Game Start Time for Cowboys vs. Giants
- Start Time: 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 PT)
- Venue: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
The Cowboys are keeping up their Thanksgiving tradition with this afternoon game, which is a bit later than the usual afternoon games that typically start around 4:05 or 4:25 p.m. ET.
Where to Watch Cowboys vs. Giants
- Broadcast Channel: FOX
This Thanksgiving game featuring the Dallas Cowboys will air on FOX, marking their first telecast of the matchup since 2022. Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play) and Tom Brady (analyst) will provide commentary, while Tom Rinaldi and Erin Andrews will report from the sidelines.
Predictions for Cowboys vs. Giants
The YSL News Sports team shares their predictions for how the Thanksgiving matchup between the Cowboys and Giants will turn out:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Cowboys 21, Giants 14
- Tyler Dragon: Cowboys 22, Giants 17
- Richard Morin: Cowboys 27, Giants 13
- Jordan Mendoza: Cowboys 20, Giants 16
Betting Odds for Cowboys vs. Giants
According to BetMGM’s NFL odds, the Cowboys are favored to win against the Giants on Thanksgiving.
If you’re interested in betting, check out the top mobile sports betting apps that offer NFL betting promotions for 2024, including the ESPN BET app and the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
- Favorite: Dallas (-4)
- Moneyline: Dallas (-200), New York (+165)
- Over/Under: 37.5 points
NFC East Standings
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-2, 3-0 NFC East)
- Washington Commanders (7-5, 2-2)
- Dallas Cowboys (4-7, 2-1)
- New York Giants (2-9, 0-4)
Location of Cowboys vs. Giants Game
This Thanksgiving clash between the Cowboys and Giants in Week 13 will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys have had a Thanksgiving game every year since 1978.
Why Do Cowboys Play on Thanksgiving?
During the 1960s, as NFL viewership surged, the league added a second Thanksgiving game in 1966. Tex Schramm, the Cowboys’ then-president, offered the team to play in this second game, provided they would host it each year.
The Cowboys won their debut game on Thanksgiving 26-14 against the Cleveland Browns, and the tradition was established. Although the St. Louis Cardinals hosted the game in 1975 and 1977, the Cowboys were reinstated as the holiday hosts in 1978 and have been playing every Thanksgiving since.
As of 2024, Dallas has played in 56 Thanksgiving games, boasting a record of 33 wins, 22 losses, and one tie.
-Ayrton Ostly
Why Isn’t Dak Prescott Playing?
The Dallas Cowboys will carry on their Thanksgiving tradition but will do so without their starting quarterback this year.
Dak Prescott is sidelined for the fourth consecutive game after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons.
In his absence, backup quarterback Cooper Rush will take the helm for the fourth straight time, aiming to help Dallas regain momentum in their playoff aspirations.
Prescott suffered a partial hamstring avulsion—a kind of tear where part of the tendon detaches from the bone—during the team’s 27-21 loss to the Falcons. He mentioned that he wasn’t certain if the injury happened while he was running or being tackled during the game.
-Jacob Camenker
When Was the First NFL Thanksgiving Game?
The first Thanksgiving Day NFL game took place in 1934 between the Lions and the Bears at the University of Detroit Stadium, drawing an attendance of 26,000, as per the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s believed that had the stadium capacity allowed it, even more fans would have turned out.
In 1934, George A. Richards purchased the Portsmouth Spartans and relocated the team to Detroit, hoping to create a presence in a city largely influenced by the dominance of the Tigers baseball team. The newly renamed Lions sought to attract attention from local fans.
To generate excitement, Richards arranged for the Lions to compete against the reigning champions, the Chicago Bears, on Thanksgiving Day. This event led to the establishment of a new tradition.
-Joseph Rivera, Nick Brinkerhoff
Tommy DeVito Injury Update
Quarterback Tommy DeVito was unexpectedly added to the Giants’ injury report on Tuesday, participating in a limited practice. Head coach Brian Daboll confirmed that DeVito is nursing a forearm injury on his throwing arm.
As of Wednesday, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported that DeVito will not be traveling to Dallas with the team, and he is considered “a longshot” to play against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Currently, he is listed as “questionable” for the game on Thursday.
-Nick Brinkerhoff, Jack McKessy
Halftime Performer for Cowboys vs. Giants
In the recent past, notable artists like Luke Combs and Dolly Parton performed during the “Salvation Army Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show.” This year, country music star Lainey Wilson will take the stage on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas.
The team revealed this choice in October, announcing the 32-year-old Louisiana native as this year’s performer. Wilson, dressed in her characteristic bell-bottoms, appeared with the famous Cowboys cheerleaders and hinted at a surprise guest for the performance.
“I am thrilled to share that I have partnered with The Salvation Army to give back beyond the holiday season and make a positive impact in our communities year-round,” she expressed in a video.
-Nick Brinkerhoff
Is There Any NFL Team That Has Never Played on Thanksgiving?
The Jacksonville Jaguars stand as the only current franchise that has never appeared in a Thanksgiving game. Three teams have played once on this holiday: the Carolina Panthers (2015), Cincinnati Bengals (2010), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2006).
-Ayrton Ostly
Inactives for the Dallas Cowboys
- RB Deuce Vaughn
- G Zack Martin
- TE Jake Ferguson
- DE Marshawn Kneeland
- WR Ryan Flournoy
- CB Trevon Diggs
- CB Andrew Booth
Inactives for the New York Giants
- QB Tommy DeVito (emergency 3rd QB)
- TE Greg Dulcich
- CB Deonte Banks
- S Anthony Johnson
- CB Tre Hawkins III
- G Jake Kubas
- T Jermaine Eluemunor
Which NFL Team Has Played the Most Games on Thanksgiving?
The Detroit Lions have participated in a total of 84 Thanksgiving games, making them the team with the highest number of appearances. Their record in these games stands at 37 wins, 45 losses, and 2 ties. Given their continuous involvement, they are expected to remain the centerpiece of the NFL’s Thanksgiving tradition.
NFL Draft 2025 Order Ahead of Week 13
Here’s how the first round of the 2025 NFL draft looks as we approach today’s matchups:
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Giants
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New England Patriots
- Carolina Panthers
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Jets
- Cleveland Browns
- New Orleans Saints
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
- Chicago Bears
- Indianapolis Colts
- Miami Dolphins
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Los Angeles Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Seattle Seahawks
- Washington Commanders
- Houston Texans
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Buffalo Bills
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Detroit Lions
The Full List of Highest-Paid NFL Players
This season, all ten of the highest-paid players in the NFL are quarterbacks. Here’s the breakdown based on average annual value (AAV), guaranteed money, and total contract value:
Average Annual Value (AAV)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys: $60 million
- Joe Burrow, Bengals: $55 million
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars: $55 million
- Jordan Love, Packers: $55 million
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins: $53.1 million
- Jared Goff, Lions: $53 million
- Justin Herbert, Chargers: $52.5 million
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens: $52 million
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles: $51 million
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals: $46.1 million
Guaranteed Money
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys: $231 million
- Deshaun Watson, Browns: $230 million
- Joe Burrow, Bengals: $219.01 million
- Justin Herbert, Chargers: $218.74 million
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars: $200 million
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens: $185 million
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles: $179.4 million
- Jared Goff: $170.61 million
- Tua Tagovailoa: $167.17 million
- Jordan Love: $160.3 million
Total Contract Value
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: $450 million
- Joe Burrow, Bengals: $275 million
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars: $275 million
- Justin Herbert, Chargers: $262.5 million
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens: $260 million
- Josh Allen, Bills: $258.04 million
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles: $255 million
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys: $240 million
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals: $230.5 million
- Deshaun Watson, Browns: $230 million
Among non-quarterbacks, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson holds the title of highest-paid based on AAV at $35 million per year, while San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has the highest total contract value at $170 million.
