NFL Week 13: Cowboys and Lions Shine on Thanksgiving, Giants and Bears Struggle
Thanksgiving football delivered its usual mix of drama, excitement, and heartbreak as Week 13 of the NFL season kicked off with two marquee matchups. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys gave their fans plenty to be thankful for, each securing victories in their annual holiday showcases. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears and New York Giants left their supporters with more questions than answers. Let’s break down the action, the takeaways, and what’s next for these teams.
Dallas Cowboys 27, New York Giants 20
Cowboys
Has the Cowboys defense turned a corner? It’s starting to look that way. After a sluggish start under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys’ defense has been heating up. Sure, the Giants aren’t exactly a powerhouse, especially with Drew Lock starting as their third quarterback of the season, but the Cowboys showed some serious promise. The defense snagged two takeaways, including a pick-six by rookie linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who tipped the ball to himself and ran it back 23 yards for his first career touchdown. After allowing 70 yards on New York’s opening drive, the Cowboys clamped down, holding the Giants to just 33 yards over their next 21 plays in the first half. The real test, however, looms on Dec. 9 when they face the high-powered Cincinnati Bengals offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
What we learned about the QB: Cooper Rush had an up-and-down day. After an efficient outing against Washington just four days earlier, Rush struggled in the second quarter, completing only 5 of 14 passes for 52 yards. He bounced back with a third-quarter touchdown pass and avoided turnovers for the second straight game, which is a key metric for head coach Mike McCarthy. However, a botched handoff and an overturned fumble highlight areas for improvement.
Most surprising performance: Running back Rico Dowdle had a breakout game, rushing for 112 yards on 22 carries, including a season-long 22-yard run and his first rushing touchdown of the season. This marked the first time a Cowboys running back surpassed 100 yards since Tony Pollard did it in Week 3 last season, ending a 26-game drought—the longest in franchise history.
Next game: vs. Bengals (Monday, Dec. 9, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Giants
How hot is Brian Daboll’s seat? It’s scorching. Despite receiving a vote of confidence from owner John Mara last month, the Giants have now lost seven straight games, including back-to-back blowouts. Thursday’s loss on national TV only added to the embarrassment. Daboll’s record since the start of last season is a dismal 8-21, and the excuses are running thin. Whether it’s Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, or Drew Lock under center, the results remain the same.
What we learned about the QB: Lock faced relentless pressure, taking 13 hits and six sacks. He threw for 172 yards with an interception and a fumble but also added 57 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Giants’ issues clearly extend beyond the quarterback position.
Eye-popping stat: The Giants have gone 11 games without an interception, setting a new NFL record. Their lone pick this season came in Week 1, courtesy of rookie linebacker Darius Muasau. It’s almost unbelievable that no errant pass has accidentally landed in a defender’s hands since then.
Next game: vs. Saints (Sunday, Dec. 8, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Detroit Lions 23, Chicago Bears 20
Lions
Will the Lions target Sam LaPorta more? It depends on the matchup. Tight end Sam LaPorta has been a red-zone weapon, catching two touchdowns against the Bears to bring his total to 15 over the past two seasons—the most by any tight end in that span. With so many offensive options, the Lions can afford to pick their spots with LaPorta.
Most surprising performance: The Lions’ rushing attack was dominant, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for 175 yards. However, Detroit failed to score a rushing touchdown for the first time this season, snapping a 25-game streak that was the longest in NFL history.
Next game: vs. Packers (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
Bears
Can Matt Eberflus survive this loss? It’s looking grim. The Bears’ late-game clock management was baffling, and Eberflus now holds a 5-19 record in one-score games—the worst in NFL history for a coach with at least 20 such games. Despite rookie quarterback Caleb Williams leading a furious second-half comeback, the Bears fell short once again.
What we learned about the QB: Williams showed resilience, improving in every area where he struggled in the first half. He set a single-season rookie franchise record with 15 touchdown passes, but his efforts were undone by poor coaching decisions.
Next game: at 49ers (Sunday, Dec. 8, 4:25 p.m. ET)
- Key Takeaway: The Cowboys and Lions are trending upward, while the Giants and Bears are stuck in freefall.
- Player to Watch: DeMarvion Overshown, whose pick-six could signal a breakout for the Cowboys’ defense.
- Game to Circle: Cowboys vs. Bengals on Dec. 9, a true test for Dallas’ defense.
Originally Written by: Todd Archer
