The Dallas Cowboys and Thanksgiving go hand in hand more than any other NFL team out there.
This year, the excitement for their yearly Holiday game might not be as high as in different times but people will still tune in to an NFC East showdown matching up backup quarterbacks.
Before we get there, however, I thought it an appropriate time to dive into seven players Cowboys Nation should be thankful for even amid an underwhelming season.
WR KaVontae Turpin
He's got to be at the top of the list after last weekend's insane 99-yard kickoff return touchdown. I know a lot of Cowboys fans are in "tanking" mode and hoping for a better draft pick but Turpin just gave a lot of fans the first pure joy moment this team has had since October.
The play was top-notch and will likely be in the mix for NFL Moment of the Year at the league's awards ceremony in February.
DE Micah Parsons
A lot fans love to complain about Parsons' persona and to be quite frank, some can't stand the fact that he's got a podcast. But his leadership has also been called into question several times.
I'm here to tell you, Parsons is still one of the best players in the NFL and it's quite obvious he cares about winning. Just look at him passionately getting on teammate's Juanyeh Thomas' ears when the latter failed to set the edge on a key two-point conversion.
The guy is giving it his all on the field even though the Cowboys are at 4-7 and even though he's got a huge contract negotiation peeking its head in the horizon. Fans shouldn't get used to the rarified air they're at at pass rusher. Parsons is truly special and should be on the list.
RG Zack Martin
This one is bittersweet but he's got to be on the list. Martin hasn't been the same in 2024 and is now dealing with injuries to both his ankles. But the guy gave the Cowboys seven first-team All-Pro seasons since 2014. Add a couple of second-team All-Pro years and that's essentially each year of his career except for 2020, when an injury knocked him out for six games.
Martin admitted he was considering retirement in 2025. Sometimes, you've just got to be thankful for even getting to watch a player be one of the best ever. That's Martin.
WR CeeDee Lamb
Don't look now but Lamb leads the NFL in receptions (77), is third on receiving yards (841), and has the third-most contested catches (15). He's done all of that despite being seriously banged-up and despite having Cooper Rush at QB since Week 9.
In the past, many people, myself included, noted Lamb's body language and overall attitude when things weren't going well was a problem. That's no longer an issue, as CeeDee is setting the tone week in and week out.
QB Dak Prescott
Prescott will always be controversial, something that comes with the territory of being the Cowboys' starting quarterback. But take a look around the NFL. These teams going through quarterback limbo aren't having fun.
Cowboys fans better be thankful that even though a rebuild is inevitably on the way, they won't have to worry about finding a quarterback.
CB Josh Butler
Butler wouldn't even have been a thought in my mind had this article been written last week. However, his performance against the Washington Commanders was very impressive. He excelled in coverage as he racked up three pass deflections and 12 total tackles, 10 solo.
Oh, and he had a sack! Butler came out of nowhere as a former UFL player who had spent a season and change on the Cowboys' practice squad. Now, he'll be a captain for the team on Thursday's game.
LB DeMarvion Overshown
Overshown is far from perfect now but you already know he's set to be on everyone's "breakout players" list next year. The kid can do it all and is a missile on the playing field. There are some things to clean up, particularly in the tackling department btu fans should be thankful for Overshown, who appears to be the perfect running mate for Micah Parsons.
