In a clash of NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys are set to take on the New York Giants on Thursday night in New Jersey. The Cowboys are gearing up for a unique challenge as this will mark the first time they play a road game with only three days between games.
This tidbit was shared by Ed Werder of WFAA, shedding light on the Cowboys’ unfamiliar territory. It’s a situation that every other NFL team has faced multiple times, but the Cowboys, who have traditionally hosted one of the Thanksgiving games for decades, are now venturing into uncharted waters.
The Cowboys have a history of playing more Sunday-to-Thursday games than any other team, thanks to their Thanksgiving tradition. The Lions have been their Thanksgiving Day counterparts, with the Cowboys hosting these games on an annual basis. However, last year saw a shift in the NFL schedule as teams were given the opportunity to play multiple Thursday games after a Sunday matchup.
The dynamic remains the same this year, with the Cowboys facing the Giants in Week 4 on Thursday, only to be met by the Giants again on Thanksgiving. This tight schedule has raised eyebrows, prompting some to question if the Cowboys are already setting the stage for a potential loss by highlighting their lack of experience in playing back-to-back road games with minimal rest.
“We’ve never had to do this before. Everyone else has done it at least six times. That’s why we lost,” expressed a hypothetical player, alluding to a possible excuse in case of a defeat against the Giants.
Despite the potential challenges, a loss to the Giants would still come as a surprise given the Cowboys’ dominance over their rivals in recent years. With 13 wins in their last 14 matchups against the Giants, Dallas is heading into Thursday night’s game as the favorite, holding a six-point advantage in the betting lines.
As the Cowboys brace themselves for this unique test, all eyes will be on their performance in what could be a defining moment for the team this season. Will they overcome the odds and continue their winning streak against the Giants, or will their lack of experience in this situation prove to be a stumbling block? Only time will tell as the NFL action unfolds on Thursday night.
