IRVING, Texas, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Washington Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier gets his first taste of one of the NFL's best rivalries to highlight Thanksgiving Day.
Spurrier gets his first crack at the Dallas Cowboys as the Redskins try to snap a nine-game losing streak against their bitter NFC East rivals.
Spurrier already has an understanding of the rivalry. When he was introduced as Redskins coach on Jan. 14, he showed his flamboyant nature, wasting little time in calling out the Cowboys.
"I've already told (owner) Daniel Snyder that the first game ball I'm going to give him is after we play the Dallas Cowboys," Spurrier said. "I've learned that's a game that the fans really want to win, and I'll do my part to see that's a game we win."
That had to be music to the ears of Snyder and Redskins fans, who have watched the Cowboys dominate the bitter rivalry in recent years.
Since becoming Redskins owner in 1999, Snyder has yet to taste victory against boisterous Dallas owner Jerry Jones, with his team losing all six games. The Redskins have not beaten the Cowboys since a 21-16 home win in October 1997.
Being in Dallas on Thanksgiving has not been kind to the Redskins, who are 0-5 on the holiday. Washington also lost at Detroit on Thanksgiving in 1973.
The Cowboys have participated in 34 Thanksgiving games since 1966, posting a 21-12-1 record, but they have lost four of their last five games on the holiday.
Washington (5-6) is in third place in the NFC East, one game in front of Dallas.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots conclude a busy stretch. For the second time in three seasons, the Patriots spend the holiday in Detroit, where they meet the Lions.
It will be the fifth game in 25 days for the reigning world champion New England Patriots, who are tied with the New York Jets for second place in the AFC East, one game behind the Miami Dolphins.
New England will be looking for a better result than in 2000, when they suffered a 34-9 loss at the Pontiac Silverdome.
Since 1934, the Lions have played 62 Thanksgiving Day games and are 32-28-2. New England is 0-2 on the holiday, also losing in 1984 at Dallas.
