Drew Lock shows Giants what they’ve been missing with first drive vs. Cowboys
By Matt Sidney
Heading into their Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants were a team in turmoil. Sitting at 2-9 and facing a 4-7 Dallas team hungry for back-to-back wins, the Giants hadn’t led in a game since Week 5 against Seattle.
The offense was a disaster, ranked last in points per game at 14.8, and starting quarterback Tommy DeVito was sidelined with a forearm injury.
In stepped Drew Lock, a backup who had spent most of the season on the bench and surrounded by uncertainty. Despite the low expectations, Lock provided a much-needed spark, leading the Giants to their first touchdown on the opening drive.
The NY Giants' offense has been laughably terrible
Lock’s first series was something Giants fans hadn’t seen in months: competence.
He orchestrated a methodical 13-play, 70-yard drive that ate up over six minutes of clock and culminated in a one-yard touchdown run by Tyrone Tracy Jr. The drive not only gave the Giants their first lead in nearly two months but also offered a glimpse of what the offense could look like when firing on all cylinders.
The key play came when Lock scrambled for 28 yards to the Dallas one-yard line, showcasing mobility and decisiveness that has been missing from the quarterback position this season. The drive wasn’t without its flaws (Lock missed an open Malik Nabers earlier in the series) but it showed a level of execution that had been absent all year.
Lock’s ability to extend plays and keep defenses guessing added a much-needed dimension to the offense. His connection with Nabers was evident, as the rookie wideout made key plays to keep the chains moving. Running backs Devin Singletary and Tracy Jr. also contributed with solid gains on the ground, creating a balanced attack.
The Giants’ offensive woes have been well-documented, with the team struggling in nearly every statistical category. Lock’s performance, even in a limited sample size, injected life into an offense that has been dead on arrival for much of 2024.
Of course, one drive doesn’t change the narrative of a season, and Lock still has plenty to prove. His inconsistency and decision-making under pressure have been issues throughout his career. But for a team that’s been a national punchline, his Thanksgiving Day debut has already provided a rare bright spot.
For one drive, at least, the Giants’ offense finally looked like it belonged in the NFL. And for Giants fans, that’s something to be thankful for.