It’s Thanksgiving week and that means two things: The Dallas Cowboys are playing on national TV and you’re likely going to find yourself in a dinner setting.

And while many focus exclusively on avoiding certain topics like politics, there are some Cowboys topics that are also smart to avoid if you want to avoid heated debates or sad memories. Fortunately, there are many topics to discuss as well.

I’ve got you covered with this guide to get through dinner with no unpleasant Cowboys talk while the game is on.

Avoid: Is Dak Prescott a top quarterback in the NFL?

Listen, this is Prescott’s tenth season in the NFL. Those who are against him at this point of his career will continue to be until the day it ends. I’m convinced if he wins a Super Bowl, they’ll find the way to take the credit away from Dak. It is what it is. Just enjoy his high-end quarterbacking and enjoy the game. Whoops, I guess I can’t avoid it myself.

Talk about: George Pickens’ rise

Pickens is a heck of a player to be thankful for in the holidays. He has exceeded every single expectation. I don’t think there was ever a time when we thought the best case scenario for the trade would be for him to be the no-doubt WR1 of the offense. Pickens is the reason why the Cowboys’ attack has been so successful.

Avoid: Dez Bryant catch, no-catch

No one likes a party pooper. The Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game will probably be stressful enough already as it is. Don’t add to it.

Talk about: Is Brian Schottenheimer a good coach?

I think this is a worthwhile conversation. We still don’t know enough about Schottenheimer and his start has had its ups and downs. Would the Cowboys have come back from 21-0 against the Philadelphia Eagles in previous years? It’s a fair question. Schottenheimer appears to be building a very strong culture in Dallas. Will the play calling and strategy—which has been good at times and bad at others—follow?

Avoid: ‘This is our year’ hopes

Here’s my take. Enjoy this stage of the 2025 Cowboys season for what it really is: A team with a good offense and an improving defense trying to keep slim playoff hopes alive. This team might just mess around and go on a run to make the postseason. But even that is unlikely. Per NextGen Stats, the Cowboys’ playoff probability sits at 8%. Don’t fall for it while giving your family false hopes. Enjoy the chaos for now.

Avoid: The Micah Parsons trade

Parsons is up to 10 sacks for the year. And boy, would his pass rush be nice to have for the Cowboys right now. On the flip side…

Talk about: The Quinnen Williams trade

Williams has been legit for the Cowboys. On Sunday’s win over the Eagles, he logged eight quarterback pressures, a career-high. Additionally, multiple teammates have alluded to him being the one to fire up the locker room at halftime prior to the comeback win. The whole team-building process might be flawed but Williams has been as elite as we hoped he would be.

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Mauricio Rodriguez