As the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants prepare to face off for the 125th time in Week 4, the stakes are high. With a rich history and ever-growing rivalry, these two teams never fail to deliver excitement and drama on the field.
The Cowboys lead the all-time series against the Giants with a 75-47-2 record, showcasing their dominance over the years. Dallas has particularly asserted its supremacy recently, winning the last six meetings between these storied franchises. The last time the Giants emerged victorious against the Cowboys was during the 2020-21 NFL season, a memory that might seem distant for New York fans eager for a win.
Dallas Cowboys: Offensive Juggernaut
Under the leadership of quarterback Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have been an offensive powerhouse. Prescott's performance last season was nothing short of stellar. He led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 and finished third in passing yards, accumulating a whopping 4,516 yards. His contributions were pivotal as Dallas posted a 12-5 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Prescott continues to demonstrate his versatility and skill. In the playoffs last season, he threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 45 yards. Last week, Prescott underlined his dual-threat capabilities, scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown and amassing 379 passing yards with two touchdowns. "Prescott doesn't often showcase that rushing side anymore, but just the fact he has the potential to scramble and create offense with his legs adds to his NFL DFS value," analysts note.
Dallas' high-powered offense scored at least 40 points in both their meetings against the Giants last season. However, the Cowboys’ defense has been a cause for concern, allowing 29.7 points per game and ranking as the second-worst in the league this season. This weakness could provide an opening for the Giants to exploit.
New York Giants: Emerging Stars and High Hopes
For the Giants, the season has provided a mixture of hope and frustration. They recorded their first win of the season with a 21-15 victory over the Browns. Quarterback Daniel Jones played a crucial role in this success, throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Jones' performance showed signs of promise, and the addition of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has injected fresh energy into the offense.
Selected as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nabers has been remarkable in his rookie season. Over the first three weeks, he has recorded 37 targets—13 more than any other player on the Giants. Impressively, Nabers has caught 30 of these targets over the last two games alone. His target share is astonishing at 37.8%, and he has been responsible for 50.7% of all New York wide receiver targets this season.
In the win against Cleveland, Nabers had eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Given the Cowboys’ defensive struggles, Nabers is expected to deliver another standout performance. "Nabers will likely receive another huge target share on Thursday, and with the Cowboys allowing 29.7 points per game, ranking 30th in the NFL, to begin the 2024 NFL season, McClure expects another huge performance from the rookie," experts predict.
Key Players to Watch
As the Giants aim to end their losing streak against the Cowboys, much attention will be focused on Prescott and Nabers. Both players symbolize the offensive strategies of their respective teams. Prescott's new four-year, $240 million contract underscores his value to the Cowboys and his expected impact every game. Meanwhile, Nabers' immediate impact as a rookie shows his potential to be a game-changer for the Giants.
The impending clash between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants is set to be a crucial battle. For Dallas, it is an opportunity to reinforce their dominance and address their defensive shortcomings. For New York, it’s a chance to build on recent success and prove they can challenge their formidable rivals. Football fans can anticipate a high-stakes, high-energy confrontation that will add yet another exciting chapter to this historic rivalry.