NFL

Cowboys 14, NY Giants 6: Momentum swings in Dallas’ favor

Published

11 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Admin

Cowboys 14, NY Giants 6: Momentum swings in Dallas’ favor

EAST RUTHERFORD − Ownership is a funny thing in professional sports.

We all know about Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. The Mara and Tisch families write the checks for the New York Giants. But in terms of who owns Big Blue, for the last eight years, it’s Dak Prescott and the Cowboys.

So when you ask what’s at stake Thursday night when the two longtime NFC East rivals face off under the lights in MetLife Stadium, the rundown is a bit hard to look at for Mara, Tisch and Co.

Don’t look away, Giants fans: embrace the reality your team can change.

The Giants have not beaten the Cowboys with fans in the stands since 2016. They’ve lost 13 of 14 in the series, and the only win in that span at the Meadowlands is the 2021 finale when rookie Xavier McKinney intercepted Andy Dalton to help seal the sixth victory of Joe Judge’s first season as head coach.

The Giants have not won twice in a five-day Sunday-Thursday stretch since 2014. Daniel Jones has won just twice in prime time. Oh, and as if you needed a reminder, the Giants lost to the Cowboys by a combined two-game score of 89-17 last season, including 40-0 on opening night at MetLife.

Keep checking back for updates throughout the day.

Game of momentum. The Giants had what they wanted on third down – Malik Nabers in space against a linebacker – but Daniel Jones was behind him. That was enough to stop Nabers’ movement. Giants settled for a field goal.

On the next series, the Cowboys went for it on fourth and short in their own territory. Kayvon Thibodeaux had a chance at stopping fullback Hunter Luepke in the backfield, but stumbled and Luepke rumbled six yards for the first down.

The very next play, Dak Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for a 55-yard touchdown and a 14-6 lead.

The Cowboys are on top after Rico Dowdle’s touchdown reception from Dak Prescott. There was shaky tackling on the play by the Giants, but also a questionable decision for the officials to pick up not one but two flags on the play.

That followed a disputed call on the Giants’ first drive when a facemask was whistled on Daniel Bellinger when it was apparent on replay that the defender was the one who had grabbed Bellinger’s facemask, not the other way around.

Good start by the Giants forcing a three and out. Then the Giants caught Travon Diggs not traveling with Malik Nabers, who dusted cornerback Andrew Booth with a double move for a 39-yard catch and run from Daniel Jones.

The Giants’ drive stalled, though, following what appeared to be an incorrect facemask call against tight end Daniel Bellinger downfield. The Cowboys’ defender, DeMarvion Overshown, had Bellinger’s facemask, but officials called the penalty against Bellinger.

Daniel Jones is 1-7 in his career against the Cowboys. He’s also won just once in 13 career prime time starts. Obviously, if the Giants are to pull the upset Thursday night, they’re going to need a solid performance from Jones. Expect Brian Daboll to use Jones as a runner to test the Cowboys’ aggressiveness on the edges.

Giants-Cowboys usually brings out the celebrities.

Two years ago on Thanksgiving, noted Giants fans and North Jersey’s own, the Jonas Brothers, played halftime.

On Thursday night, as Giants co-owner John Mara talked with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his son Stephen, Post Malone stood a few feet away posing for photos while wearing a Cowboys jersey to honor kicker Brandon Aubrey.

Also in attendance: Olympic gold medalist and Dunellen native Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

GIANTS

QB Tommy DeVito (emergency 3rd QB)
CB Dru Phillips
CB Adoree’ Jackson
OL Jake Kubas
S Anthony Johnson
OLB Boogie Basham
OLB Benton Whitley

COWBOYS

QB Trey Lance (emergency 3rd QB)
S Markquese Bell
CB Caelen Carson
T Matt Waletzko
WR Ryan Flournoy
TE John Stephens
DE Tyrus Wheat

As soon as cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson left Sunday’s game in Cleveland with calf injuries, unless there was some sort of misdiagnosis, their availability for Thursday night was in serious doubt. That was made official when the Giants declared Phillips and Jackson out for the game against the Cowboys.

CB Nick McCloud (knee) should return after missing two games, but the Giants are going to be tested in the slot by Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb. Giants WR Darius Slayton (thumb) is listed as questionable. He returned to the game against the Browns, so there is some optimism that he will be able to play. If not, the Giants could elevate Isaiah Hodgins from the practice squad.

The Cowboys will likely be without starting CB Caelen Carson and safety Markquese Bell, and star corner Travon Diggs has been dealing with a foot injury, so even though he does not have an official designation, that’s one to keep an eye on.

NY Giants vs Cowboys time today

Date: Thursday, Sept. 26
Time: 8:15 p.m.
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

What channel is NY Giants vs Cowboys game on today?

TV: Amazon Prime Video; (FOX in New York)

Watch Giants vs. Cowboys live on Prime Video

Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

NY Giants vs Cowboys history

Series record: Cowboys lead, 75-47-2
Giants’ last win: Jan. 3, 2021 (23-19)
Cowboys’ last win: Nov 12, 2023 (49-17)

NY Giants vs Cowboys prediction

The pick: Cowboys 23, Giants 17

Here’s why: The Cowboys swept the season series with the Giants last season by handing down two embarrassing beatings by a combined score of 89-17. There is an emotional aspect to this, and it will be interesting to see just how many Cowboys fans flood MetLife despite a two-game losing streak. In the end, until the Giants show they can beat Prescott, it’s difficult to go against Dallas in this rivalry. Big Blue has lost six consecutive games to the Cowboys and 13 of 14 with the only win over Prescott going back to when Ben McAdoo was the head coach in 2016, Prescott’s rookie year.