Cowboys vs. Lions score, live updates: Dallas defense hold Detroit to FG on opening drive – The Athletic

Let’s face it, for as incredible athletes as NFL players are, having to play on short rest can often have an impact on the quality of your performance. It’s not an excuse for anyone in particular, just a fact — the NFL dilutes its product a bit so it can have a third game in prime-time every week before the Friday night and Saturday night prime-time windows it’s largely barred from encroaching on due to federal law.

But this week is an exception. Over the past few years NFL schedule-makers have smartly plucked two of the six teams that have played on Thanksgiving and scheduled them for the following Thursday Night Football matchup, giving both teams a full week to prepare. It’s resulted in some very quality games.

Just look at over the past two years — in this slot last season, Detroit prevailed over Green Bay in a 34-31 thriller after both teams played on Thanksgiving. Ditto for two years ago, when Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to a 41-35 win over Geno Smith and the Seahawks in a very entertaining shootout.

And this year, we get two high-octane offenses and two teams needing a win to basically stay alive for the playoffs? Sign me up.