Cowboys prepare for Thanksgiving game

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are cruising in the course of the take-care-of-business a part of their time table.

They have another prior to they get again to the prove-it portion.

Dallas (7-3) is ready to play Washington on Thanksgiving for the eleventh time Thursday after a 33-10 win at Carolina that used to be the Cowboys’ 2d directly 20-plus-point victory over a double-digit underdog.

Those two wins got here after a 28-23 loss to Philadelphia that made any trail to the NFC East name tricky. Dallas awaits a rematch with the protecting NFC and department champion — the second one of 5 consecutive video games after Thanksgiving towards groups lately with successful information.

But the Commanders (4-7) come first when they had six turnovers in a 31-19 loss to the New York Giants that broken, most likely irreparably, their playoff hopes.

It’s a 3rd consecutive game as a double-digit favourite for Dallas, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

“They may be a wounded animal now, but they’ve still got fangs,” left guard Tyler Smith mentioned Monday. “So you can get bit. That’s just how that is.”

While the overall rating appeared adore it used to be meant to towards the one-win Panthers, Dallas’ lead used to be simply 17-10 coming into the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys could not breathe simple till DaRon Bland tied an NFL file along with his fourth interception go back for a landing this season, giving Dallas TDs simply 10 seconds aside for a 30-10 lead.

“A lot of good to come out of this, and frankly, we’re not going to spend a whole lot of time (on it),” trainer Mike McCarthy mentioned after the game. “We’ll be watching Washington on the way home. I’m sorry I’m not here to go ticky-tack with you on stats today. I apologize. My mind is already on to the next one.”

Prescott’s run of 3 consecutive 300-yard video games ended, in conjunction with receiver CeeDee Lamb’s 3 directly video games with no less than 10 catches and 150 yards, an NFL first.

The offense used to be environment friendly, even though. Lamb had a landing to present him a rating in 3 of the previous 4 video games.

Tight finish Jake Ferguson’s three-game TD streak ended, however his 24-yard catch on third-and-5 at the ultimate play of the 1/3 quarter saved issues from getting actually fascinating when Dallas used to be up simply seven.

“Yeah, got the job done,” Prescott mentioned. “To say it was clean and to say that we did exactly what we wanted to do, I can’t say that. Got to go look at the film, but you’ll take the win any way we can get it.”

WHAT’S WORKING

The Cowboys are speeding the passer and protective Prescott with equivalent potency.

Micah Parsons tied a occupation top with 2 1/2 sacks per week after going and not using a take on for the primary time in his three-year occupation. He reached 10 sacks to turn into the primary Dallas participant with no less than that many in every of his first 3 seasons.

Sam Williams’ fourth sack matched the whole from his rookie 12 months in 2022 because the Cowboys tied their season top via losing rookie No. 1 general choose Bryce Young seven instances.

Prescott hasn’t been sacked prior to now two video games upon getting dropped no less than thrice in every of the former 5. It’s simply the second one time Prescott hasn’t been sacked in consecutive video games. The different used to be closing season.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Parsons’ selection for hydration. He used to be observed throwing up at the sideline within the first part. McCarthy mentioned he wasn’t ill.

“To my understanding, he had an energy drink that I guess hadn’t drank before, but he is fine,” McCarthy mentioned. “Sounds like he had a little stomach reaction to that. I think it worked out for him, though. Maybe he should drink it next week, too.”

STOCK UP

RB Tony Pollard in the end scored for the primary time since Week 1 on a 21-yard run within the fourth quarter. His 61 yards speeding had been probably the most since his simplest 100-yard game of the season in Week 3.

STOCK DOWN

It’s exhausting to nitpick a protection that scored for the 5th time this season and gave up simply 187 yards. But Dallas allowed 3 fourth-down conversions on a 17-play pressure that fed on virtually 9 mins because the Panthers pulled inside a landing overdue within the 1/3 quarter.

INJURIES

TE Peyton Hendershot is with reference to a go back from an ankle damage that has sidelined him for seven video games. The Cowboys determine to attend no less than every other game as a result of the fast week. Hendershot mentioned he has been cleared for all actions.

KEY NUMBER

49 — The ultimate selection of consecutive made box targets and additional issues for 28-year-old rookie Brandon Aubrey after lacking a PAT on his first-ever NFL kick. Aubrey’s run ended when he used to be large left at the further level following Bland’s newest pick-6. But his NFL file of consecutive made box targets to begin a occupation is undamaged, and now as much as 21.

NEXT STEPS

Three directly video games at house, the place the Cowboys are unbeaten. After the Thanksgiving game towards the Commanders, Seattle visits in every other Thursday game. Then the Eagles are available in on Dec. 10. This would be the 7th time since 2014 for Dallas to have the Thursday-Thursday pairing with Thanksgiving.