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Giants 'Shocking' QB Drew Lock Previews Cowboys With Scouting Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Fisher | Last updated Nov 28, 2024 12:33 PM ET

ARLINGTON, Texas - If there’s one thing New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock excels at, it’s coming off the bench and shocking an NFC East team.

There’s a legitimate argument that Lock was signed on the back of his terrific performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. He was poised, clutch, and able to stretch the field despite the odds stacked against him.

Now, he’s set to return to action against the Dallas Cowboys, hoping to once again put on a show for the national audience.

Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito injured his forearm in the waning moments of New York’s 30-7 loss in Week 12. After being a limited participant in practice and staying behind the team flight for further evaluation, Lock seems much more likely to go in Thanksgiving’s late-afternoon contest.

Waiting for him is a beleaguered Dallas team coming off its most surprising win of the year. The Cowboys are also on their second-string quarterback (Cooper Rush) and are dealing with several injuries up front. However, cornerback DaRon Bland made his season debut on Sunday and edge rusher Micah Parsons is back, too.

“Yeah, they've got Bland back, Micah is back,” Lock said. “So, if they had injuries, they don't have them anymore. They've got their guys back, played well last week. Flying around. Aggressive defense. It's a good spot, it's a good defense. Got to go out there and play our A game. Move the ball, go down there and score points in the red zone. Just be ready for a fight.”

Dallas has trouble stopping the run, but when the unit is healthy, there are plenty of dynamic talents ready to wreak havoc. Chief among them is Parsons, but Bland set the record for pick-sixes in a season the last time the Cowboys played on Turkey Day.

Parsons in particular should be Lock’s main concern. An elite edge rusher with unmatched athleticism, Parsons made Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels look slow. He’s never far away from breaking a game by himself.

“Versatility. Explosive off the edge. They can move him inside, do a three (technique),” Lock said. “When you get a d-lineman that can play multiple positions and produce, that makes it something that you've got to look at, you've got to be ready for.”

Unfortunately for Lock’s wellbeing, New York will be without offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who’s dealing with a quad injury. The offensive line has struggled after left tackle Andrew Thomas went down, and losing the only other viable tackle spells trouble for the Giants.

But Lock hardly confines himself to the structure of the offense, much less the expectations fans have of him within it. Thursday could get ugly before the halftime performance, but it wouldn’t be the first time Lock reminded everybody why some thought he’d be a franchise quarterback.

With America watching, he has a chance to "shock'' again on Thanksgiving.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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