Fact or Fiction: Predictions for Thursday Night Football

John Schmeelk: Fiction – The last two weeks the Dallas Cowboys’ defense has not been able to stop anyone. They’ve allowed 890 yards, including 464 on the ground, and 72 points. Dallas has only three takeaways this season, mostly because opposing offenses have not been put in precarious situations due to their inability to stop the run. The Dallas offense, however, has still been effective. The Cowboys have struggled running the ball, but they are still a top 10 offense in yards per game and lead the league in passing yards. They have scored the sixth-most points in the league.

Dan Salomone: Fiction – Each season is its own story, but the last time these two teams met, the Cowboys piled up 640 total yards, the second-most ever allowed by the Giants.

Matt Citak: Fact – Despite what the numbers through three games might say, the Cowboys’ defense still presents a bigger challenge for the Giants than their offense. Dallas currently ranks 30^th in points and 29^th in yards allowed this season, as the Saints scored 44 points on them in Week 2 while the Ravens had 28 this past Sunday. Those two teams also averaged 444 yards of total offense on Dallas’ defense. With all of that said, the Cowboys’ defense has consistently caused the Giants trouble in recent years. Over the last six games between the two teams, all of which Dallas has won, the Giants have been unable to top 20 points. The Cowboys currently have the league’s lowest-ranked run game, and while Dak Prescott has looked solid, it appears as if he and CeeDee Lamb are still getting on the same page. Nonetheless, for as long as Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence are in Dallas, that defense will pose a problem.

John Schmeelk: Fact – Both these teams have seen their defenses struggle in two games this season. Dak Prescott and Daniel Jones have both been effective and have elite weapons to throw the ball to in Malik Nabers and CeeDee Lamb. Both teams also have injuries at cornerback (Daron Bland, Adoree’ Jackson, Dru Phillips). I think this game may look like the old Tony Romo-Eli Manning high-scoring affairs from yesteryear.

Dan Salomone: Fact – We’ll see if weather has an impact, but this game could get loose offensively. The Giants have clearly found something with Malik Nabers, who has unlocked this offense and makes things easier for everyone. The offensive line playing 100 percent of the snaps together this season is also a big reason.

Matt Citak: Fiction – As mentioned in my last answer, the Giants haven’t scored more than 20 points against the Cowboys in their last six meetings. While I do believe the Giants can snap that streak on Thursday, I don’t know if it will be by much. Despite finishing with 25 points against the Ravens, the Cowboys’ offense looks out of sorts as all three of Dallas’ touchdowns came in the fourth quarter when they were already down 28-6. Given all this and the fact that it’s a short week, I could see this game being relatively low-scoring.