Thanksgiving rooting guide for Cowboys fans
Turkey Day rooting guide for Cowboys fans
The NFL’s Thanksgiving week has evolved from the classic days of games in Dallas and Detroit to now three Thursday contests and one on Friday. With many of us having extra time to dig into these games, what should you root for as a Cowboys fan?
As we discussed earlier this week, Dallas fans are split right now on their hopes for the remainder of the season. With the Cowboys at 4-7 and not getting QB Dak Prescott back until 2025, many are hoping that the team will lose out and get the best draft picks possible to retool for future campaigns. But plenty are in the “never say die” camp, or at least can’t bring themselves to hope for failure.
These dueling ideologies will be tested when the Cowboys host the Giants. Even the more pragmatic Dallas fans still have years of rivalry with New York in their DNA. Part of them would love to see the Cowboys add another victory to their dominant 14-1 record over the G-Men since 2017. But that win would come at a cost, strengthening New York’s draft position while weakening our own.
Thankfully, the other three games in this early slate don’t have conflicting values. Whether you’re “Team Tank” or “Team Dream,” everyone should be on the same page for rooting interests in the Thursday and Friday matchups.
Bears over Lions
Chicago’s win has a dual benefit. The Bears are currently 4-7, like the Cowboys, so a win makes them easier to pass in the 2025 draft order. And while Dallas has no real chance of stealing a playoff spot from Detroit, let’s say the Cowboys do somehow fight their way back into the postseason. They’d likely be the seventh seed at best, and Detroit is currently the top-seeded leader of the NFC. We’d probably feel more hopeful of the Cowboys pulling off a miracle against the Eagles given their familiarity.
Dolphins over Packers
Another game with a two-way benefit, and this one is slightly more meaningful. Miami is a game better than Dallas right now at 5-6, but we know how tenuous QB Tua Tagovailoa’s health is. The Dolphins could slip right back into the draft mix if he has another concussion. Meanwhile, the 8-3 Packers are currently in a wild card spot. If the Cowboys are going to sneak back into the playoffs then they need someone to have a second-half collapse.
Raiders over Chiefs
This AFC West rivalry game has no bearing on Dallas’ super slim playoff hopes, but 2-9 Las Vegas is a consideration for the Cowboys’ eventual draft pick. It’s hard to imagine the Raiders beating anyone the rest of the way, let alone the Chiefs, but it’s not as wild as the notion of Dallas extending their season past Week 18. If we’re going to even entertain that idea, nothing’s too crazy to talk about.
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