For the rest of the year, the Dallas Cowboys will be one of the most invisible teams in the league. Anyone running a Mike McCarthy offense with Cooper Rush as the trigger man is ripe for shame, as the Cowboys showed against the rival Philadelphia Eagles.

But as is always the case with Dallas, their status as a major franchise continually puts them in the national spotlight. The Cowboys have three primetime games in the next month, including their annual Thanksgiving game. The New York, who are currently 2-8, are not the most worthy opponent.

Cooper Rush vs. Daniel Jones was already going to be a tough match, but somehow it all became even more unappealing. The Giants ultimately made the decision to bench Jones, but they decided to roll with fan favorite Tommy DeVito as the starter instead of nominal No. 2 quarterback Drew Lock.

Imagine, if you will, families gathered around the Thanksgiving table and sharing in the warmth and good tidings of the holidays. Imagine those memories being interrupted again by Rush’s ultra-conservative playing style and DeVito’s below-average arm trying in vain to outdo each other.

DeVito had some life last year, but it’s clear he’s a garden variety backup quarterback. The Giants can improve by subtraction after taking Jones out of the lineup, but Dallas’ defense shouldn’t be shaking with the former Rutgers and Illinois starter under center.

Even with Rush at quarterback and Trey Lance waiting in the wings, the Cowboys have to win this game. Playing at home against a quarterback who wasn’t even active on game day for most of the season should be a slam dunk victory, even if Rush’s limitations make it difficult to field a full offense.

Before the Giants kick off, Dallas has two games against potential playoff teams in the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders. If they were to lose, the Cowboys would fall to 3-9 on the season, putting 2024 in shame as one of the worst seasons in the history of this very proud franchise.

The Cowboys will struggle the rest of the year as both they and the Giants count down the days until next year when they can make a decent postseason charge. In the meantime, both teams will treat the viewing public to some serious holiday snacking.