Thanksgiving debut for Rivers also big for Chargers, Cowboys

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Philip Rivers looks forward to his Thanksgiving debut in his 14th season.

The six-time Pro Bowl quarterback is also pretty fired up about how important Thursday’s visit to the Dallas Cowboys is for his Los Angeles Chargers.

“Outside of playoff games, I don’t know that there’s any bigger stage and game than Thanksgiving,” Rivers said . “It’s certainly a big-time game, more so because of what’s riding on it for our team. Throw in the fact that it’s Thanksgiving, even better.”

Los Angeles (4-6) started 0-4 while AFC West rival Kansas City won its first five. Now the Chargers are within two games of the divisionleading Chiefs after scoring their most points since 1981 in a 54-24 win over Buffalo.

The Cowboys (5-5) have lost both games without suspended star running back Ezekiel Elliott, with still four games remaining

on the six-game ban over alleged domestic violence. The defending NFC East champs are already all but eliminated in the division race, facing a tough road to a wild-card spot.

“It’s going to show the character of our team,” said quarterback Dak Prescott, who has struggled without the backfield mate from their remarkable rookie season.

“We’ve got the choice to go 11-5 right now or 5-11 or anything in between. It’s about us coming in and coming to work every day to show the character and fight we have to be 11-5.”

Tyron Smith appears set to return for Dallas after the four-time Pro Bowl left tackle missed two games with back and groin issues.