For the third consecutive game, the New York Giants will feature a different quarterback under center, and this time it’s Drew Lock’s turn to lead the offense.
Lock will make his first start for the Giants in their Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Tommy DeVito, who had started the last two games for New York, is inactive due to a right forearm injury sustained in last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While DeVito is listed as the team’s emergency third quarterback, all eyes will be on Lock as he steps into the spotlight.
The quarterback carousel has been a constant theme for the Giants this season. Daniel Jones, who began the year as the starter for the first 10 games, was released after being benched and has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Now, Lock, the offseason free-agent acquisition, will finally have his chance to show what he can do in a Giants uniform.
Lock’s last start in the NFL came in Week 15 of the 2023 season with the Seattle Seahawks, a 20-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. In that game, Lock demonstrated the ability to manage the offense effectively and deliver in high-pressure moments. The Giants are hoping he can replicate that success on Thursday against a Cowboys team that has been a thorn in their side.
However, the road ahead is daunting. The Giants haven’t won a game since Week 5, a victory that ironically came against Lock’s former team, the Seahawks. Since then, New York has endured a six-game losing streak, often finding themselves out of contention early in games.
Adding to the challenge is the Cowboys’ dominance over the Giants in recent years. Dallas has won the last seven matchups between the two NFC East rivals, and they’ll be looking to extend that streak on Thanksgiving. Lock, however, brings a fresh perspective and a live arm that could potentially reignite an offense that has struggled mightily over the past month.
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Since signing with the Giants, Lock has seen limited action. In three appearances this season, he’s completed just four of nine passes for nine yards. Despite the small sample size, the 28-year-old quarterback, originally a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, has the experience and talent to make an impact.
What’s surprising to many is that Lock wasn’t immediately handed the starting role when Jones was benched. Instead, the Giants opted to start DeVito, a decision that raised eyebrows given Lock’s status as the backup throughout the season. With DeVito now sidelined, Lock finally has his opportunity to prove he can handle the starting job and perhaps stake a claim for a larger role moving forward.
This Thanksgiving will also mark Lock’s first career game against the Cowboys. The timing couldn’t be more critical for the Giants, who are desperate for a spark. At 2-9, New York is in danger of finishing at the bottom of the NFC and faces an uphill battle just to stay competitive down the stretch.
For head coach Brian Daboll and the Giants’ coaching staff, the hope is that Lock’s familiarity with the system and his veteran presence can stabilize an offense that has been plagued by inconsistency and turnovers. Lock’s ability to push the ball downfield and extend plays with his mobility could provide a much-needed boost against a Cowboys defense that thrives on pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
Kickoff for the Giants (2-9) and Cowboys (4-7) is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on Thanksgiving Day. With a national audience watching, it’s a prime opportunity for Lock to showcase his skills and perhaps inject new life into a struggling Giants squad.