The Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving matchup against the New York Giants did not promise to provide offensive fireworks.
While Rico Dowdle has a couple explosive runs, most of the fun came courtesy of the defense, specifically an outrageous pick-six by DeMarvion Overshown. Overshown deflected a Drew Lock pass before plucking it out of the air and making a beeline for the end zone.
Mike McCarthy's offense showed signs of life early, but it took until late in the second quarter for it to become unwatchable. Dowdle inexplicably wasn't heard from to close out the first half and Rush took several deep shots downfield that had zero chance of finding a receiver.
Anxious for points, or something resembling an NFL offense, the AT&T Stadium showered McCarthy with boos after he cowardly called an inside handoff to Hunter Luepke on 3rd-and-14. The Cowboys were leading at the time, but the boos were absolutely justified.
Cowboys fans boo Mike McCarthy on Thanksgiving as Dallas offense struggles
first time this season the Cowboys have been booed at home with a lead.
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) November 28, 2024
But that's what happened after that give up run on third down
Boos raining down from AT&T Stadium this season is nothing new. In every previous instance, though, the Cowboys were getting steamrolled at their home stadium. That fans felt compelled to boo the team while holding a lead speaks volumes - literally and figuratively.
Again, the boo birds were absolutely called for and they probably should've happened again after McCarthy punted on 4th-and-10 from Dallas' 49-yard line. Why not send out Brandon Aubrey for a 68-yard field goal? It was wiped out due to a penalty, but he made a 67-yarder in the first game of the season.
Aubrey was apparently waiting on the sideline with his helmet, per Nick Harris of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram. He was ready for McCarthy to call his number.
We do understand the appeal behind pining the Giants' anemic offense deep. In a vacuum, it doesn't make much sense to give a struggling offense a short field while Mike Zimmer's defense is buzzing and stacking three and outs.
However, Kevin Burkhardt put it best on the broadcast when he said Aubrey can make kicks from Mars. Most kickers in the league aren't a threat from 60 yards. Aubrey seemingly has the range to connect from 70. What is the point in having an alien at the position if you don't use him?
For McCarthy's sake, the offense needs a better showing in the second half or Cowboys fans will have no trouble jeering the team.