NFL Week 13 big questions and takeaways: Cowboys, Lions win Thanksgiving showcases
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NFL Nation, ESPN
Week 13 of the NFL season began on Thanksgiving Day, as the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys both sent their fans home happy with victories in their annual holiday showcases. The Lions took down the Bears thanks to some truly puzzling clock management by the Chicago Bears late, while the Cowboys used their defense to outlast the struggling New York Giants.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let’s get to it.
Cowboys
Has the Cowboys defense taken a turn for the good? After a slow start in Mike Zimmer’s first year as defensive coordinator, the unit has put together some of their best work recently. Now, the Giants are not exactly the best of measuring sticks, starting their third quarterback of the year, Drew Lock, on Thursday, but there are positive signs. The Cowboys had two more takeaways, including a pick-six by DeMarvion Overshown. After New York gained 70 yards on its first drive, they gained just 33 yards on their next 21 plays in the first half. The true test for the defense, however, comes Dec. 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
What we learned about the QB today: Four days after an efficient performance against Washington, Cooper Rush was more erratic, especially in the second quarter when he completed just 5 of 14 passes for 52 yards. He rebounded with a third-quarter touchdown pass but a lost fumble was overturned because of replay and he had a botched handoff with Rico Dowdle that he was able to recover. But he did not give the ball away for a second straight game, which is what matters most to Mike McCarthy.
Most surprising performance: It’s been trending in this direction recently, but the Cowboys had a running back go for more than 100 yards since Week 3 last year with Rico Dowdle picking up 112 yards, a career high, on 22 carries. He also scored his first rushing touchdown of the season and had a season-long 22-yard run in the first half. The last time a Cowboys running back went for more than 100 yards was Tony Pollard in Week 3 last season against Arizona. The 26-game span was the longest 100-yard game drought in franchise history. — Todd Archer
Next game: vs. Bengals (Monday, Dec. 9, 8:15 p.m. p.m. ET)
Giants
How hot is the seat getting for Brian Daboll after seven straight losses and a second straight blowout loss? Scorching. It doesn’t matter if owner John Mara gave him vote of confidence last month. The Giants haven’t won since. And they aren’t just losing (seven straight now), they’re getting embarrassed, this time on national TV for the entire nation to see. Daboll is running out of excuses. It’s no longer Daniel Jones ‘ fault. The results were similar — or worse — with Tommy DeVito, and then with Drew Lock in this one on Thanksgiving. Daboll and the Giants are 8-21 since the start of last season.
What we learned about the QB today: It’s not Drew Lock’s fault. He made some mistakes but he also never really stood a chance. Lock took 13 quarterback hits and six sacks while throwing for 172 yards with an interception and a fumble, to go along with 57 rush yards and a touchdown on the ground. The results looked similar with Lock as they did with Jones and DeVito. The Giants problems go well beyond just the quarterback.
Eye-popping stat: 0 INTs in 11 games. The Giants’ 11 games without a pick sets a new NFL record. Their only interception this season came by rookie linebacker Darius Muasau on a tipped ball in Week 1. It’s almost hard to imagine a ball hasn’t clanked off a receiver and by accident fallen into a defensive back’s arms this season. — Jordan Raanan
Next game: vs. Saints (Sunday, Dec. 8, 1:00 p.m. p.m. ET)
Lions
Will the Lions target tight end Sam LaPorta more going forward? It depends on the matchup and situation. With so many offensive weapons in Detroit, it’s almost like pick your poison. LaPorta didn’t reach his second receiving touchdown this season until Week 8 versus the Tennessee Titans. However, he connected with Goff for two touchdowns versus the Bears. LaPorta now has 15 receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons. That’s the most receiving TDs by any tight end over that span, per ESPN Research.
Most surprising performance: The Lions’ running game. Thursday was first time this season Detroit failed to score rushing touchdown. The Lions had scored a rushing touchdown in 25 straight games — including the playoffs — which is the longest streak in NFL history. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 175 rushing yards against Chicago.
Early prediction for next week: Lions kicker Jake Bates won’t miss a field goal. Against the Bears, Bates missed 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. The Lions had been the only team in the NFL to not miss a field goal this season as Bates had been 19-for-19 to start his career, including two game-winners at Week 7 in Minnesota and Week 10 at Houston. — Eric Woodyard
Next game: vs. Packers (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. p.m. ET)
Bears
Can Bears coach Matt Eberflus survive this loss? Eberflus defended the Bears’ disastrous clock management that led to Chicago’s sixth straight loss and solidified his 5-19 record in one-score games, which is the worst by any coach with at least 20 such games in NFL history. Whether it’s a tipped Hail Mary, blocked game-winning field goal, losing on a field goal in overtime or letting a timeout go to waste in Detroit, the Bears continue to find confounding ways to lose. Late-game decisions continue to squander quarterback Caleb Williams‘ efforts to put his team in position to win games, which ultimately falls on the head coach.
Describe the game in two words: Furious comeback. The Bears turned a first-half shutout and 16-point deficit into a three-point game that they were in position to tie or win outright in the final 36 seconds. Williams led the Bears on three touchdown drives in the second half as the Bears defense held the Lions to one touchdown after allowing nearly six yards per play in the first half.
What we learned about the QB today: Williams converted in nearly every category he struggled with in the first half in the second. Williams was 8-of-11 on passes outside of the numbers (0-7 in first half), completed 4-of-7 passes with at least 15 air yards (0-6 in first half), was 5-of-8 on third down (0-6) and completed three of five throws when pressured (0-of-3). The quarterback set a single-season rookie franchise record at 15 touchdown passes. — Courtney Cronin
Next game: at 49ers (Sunday, Dec. 8, 4:25 p.m. p.m. ET)
