Thanksgiving 2020 is in the books, and with the Ravens-Steelers game postponed, we had just two games to watch.
Neither were very close, and the Thanksgiving regulars both lost.
The Houston Texans beat the Detroit Lions 41-25, and Washington took down the Dallas Cowboys 41-16.
Houston Texans Pass At Will
The Texans-Lions game was a sloppy turnover-fueled start. With four turnovers in the first half. The Texans went into halftime up 23-14 and never looked back.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson dominated, finishing 17 of 25 passing for 318 yards and four touchdowns.
He distributed the ball beautifully, and Will Fuller led the way, catching six balls for 171 yards and three touchdowns.
The highlight of the game may have been on defense when star defensive end JJ Watt jumped, deflected a ball at the line of scrimmage, caught it himself, and ran it in.
The Lions had middling success throughout, with ageless running back Adrian Peterson scoring twice. The turnovers and lack of offensive firepower without wide receiver Kenny Golloday and running back DeAndre Swift left them without a fighting chance.
The Texans covered the 3-point spread as road favorites, and the over at 51points covered.
Houston advances to 4-7 with the win, while Detroit dropped to an identical 4-7 with their second loss in a row.
Dallas’ Fourth Quarter Disaster
The battle for first in the NFC East went commandingly in favor of Washington in their 41-16 blowout win.
The host Cowboys kept it close for much of the game. However, poor defense and questionable play-calling kept Dallas in a hole they couldn’t get out of.
It was 20-16 with 12:54 left in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys called a peculiar fake punt from their own 24 yard line, which failed miserably.
It took just one play for Washington to capitalize; a 23 yard touchdown scamper for rookie running back Antonio Gibson, his second of the day.
Now 27-16, the onslaught was just beginning. Dallas punted on their ensuing drive, and Washington drove 76 yards, capped off with a 37 yard touchdown run by Gibson, making him the first rookie since Randy Moss to score three touchdowns on Thanksgiving.
One play later, and quarterback Andy Dalton threw a pick-six, and the game was over.
Gibson was the star of the day, taking 20 carries for 115 yards and the three touchdowns. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin caught seven balls for 92 yards, and tight end Logan Thomas scored the lone touchdown through the air.
Alex Smith, making his bid for Comeback Player of the Year, finished 19 of 26 for 149 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Dalton finished with 215 yards and a touchdown and interception. Running back Ezekiel Elliott continues his descent from one of the league’s best, finishing with just 32 yards on ten carries and losing a fumble.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper was the lone bright spot for Dallas, finishing with six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Dallas failed to cover their 3-point spread as the home favorite, and the over of 46 did hit.
Washington now is in first place in the NFC East, at 4-7, while Dallas drops to 3-8.
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