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Fact or Fiction: Key matchups for Thanksgiving in Dallas

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The Giants.com crew is presented with four statements and must decide whether they are Fact or Fiction.

Rookie TE Theo Johnson will have more than 51 receiving yards, his current best.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – Theo Johnson has recorded three or four catches in each of his last four games and between 25 and 51 receiving yards. He has been remarkably consistent. With the wide receiver corps currently healthy, I don't foresee a big jump in targets or receptions coming this week. The Cowboys have been victimized by big plays from opposing receivers, but with DaRon Bland and possibly Trevon Diggs back from injury, that could change this week.

Dan Salomone: Fact – The rookie fourth-rounder has shown an ability to make big plays with receptions of at least 20 yards in three of his past four games. He's also able to get open downfield. His average of 6.1 yards at catch ranks 13th among all NFL tight ends.

Matt Citak: Fiction – Johnson has seen his role increase over the course of the season, especially in recent weeks. The rookie has been targeted six times in each of the last three games, catching 10 of those passes for a total of 127 yards. However, this week's matchup does not bode well for his chances of setting a new career-high in yards, as the Cowboys have given up the fourth-fewest receptions and eighth-fewest receiving yards to the tight end position this season.

Rookie S Tyler Nubin will have his first career interception on Thanksgiving.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – I'm in "believe when I see it" mode when it comes to the Giants grabbing an interception. I felt it in my bones that it would happen last week and there was nothing (although Nubin did make one play on a ball, knocking it away from Mike Evans). Cooper Rush gets rid of the ball quickly and plays conservatively, so I don't think he will throw it up for grabs.

Dan Salomone: Fact – He appeared on the injury report with a back issue, so that will be something to monitor. But the law of averages has to catch up, right? The Giants are still the only defense without multiple interceptions this season. Nubin had 13 of them in college. Something has to give.

Matt Citak: Fiction – In three games since taking over for the injured Dak Prescott as the starting quarterback, Cooper Rush has attempted 110 passes. While he has completed just 62.7 percent of those passes, Rush has only thrown one interception during that span. He's coming off his best game of the season with a 75.0 completion percentage, 247 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, which earned him a 117.6 passer rating. Combine that with the Giants' streak of 10 games without an interception, and it's hard to see Nubin coming down with his first NFL interception in this week's game.

View rare photos from the historic rivalry between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys' offense will be a bigger challenge than their defense on Thursday.

John Schmeelk: Fiction – With Cooper Rush at quarterback, I do not expect the Cowboys' pass game to be especially dangerous on Thursday, even with CeeDee Lamb on the field and Brandin Cooks potentially making his return. The Cowboys have the second-fewest rushing yards per game and yards per rush, so their run game isn't particularly dangerous either with Rico Dowdle as their primary back. The Cowboys' offensive line is also banged up with Zack Martin unlikely to play this week. The Cowboys' defense has had its own issues, especially against the run, but they are getting healthier and played well against Washington last week. Micah Parsons pushes the needle to the defense.

Dan Salomone: Fact – It's all connected. All three phases depend on each other, but if you had to pick one, just keep in mind that the Giants have lost their last seven games at AT&T Stadium while giving up 33 points per trip.

Matt Citak: Fiction – Even with Rush coming off his best game of the season, I have to go with Dallas' defense as the bigger challenge. Micah Parsons is fully back, evidenced by his two sacks and three quarterback hits of Jayden Daniels this past week. The Cowboys also recently got All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland back on the field, which provided their secondary with a boost. Considering they are already down Andrew Thomas and could also be without Jermaine Eluemunor on Thursday, it could be another long day for the Giants' offense.

Micah Parsons is the biggest individual challenge on either side of the ball.

John Schmeelk: Fact – Micah Parson has only five sacks this season, but it is important to note that he got those in just five games. He had two last week against the Commanders and is still one of the most difficult players to block in the NFL. The Cowboys line him up all over the field and the Giants will have to know where he is before every snap to successfully block in. Throw in the Giants' injuries at offensive tackle, and he could be the key game-wrecker on Thursday.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – CeeDee Lamb leads the NFL with 77 receptions and can become the fourth player in the Super Bowl era to outright lead the league in receptions in back-to-back seasons. He also leads the NFL with 72 catches in division games since 2023.

Matt Citak: Fact – In his three games since returning from an ankle injury, Parsons has racked up four sacks, five quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. Despite the relatively low numbers on the season due to the injury, Parsons is still one of the most dangerous edge rushers in the NFL. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb comes in as a close second on this one. Lamb caught seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting between the two teams and has more career receptions and receiving yards against the Giants than any other team.

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