Cowboys maintain off NFC East rival Giants in defensive battle

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Getting into Thursday night time’s recreation, the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys shared final place within the NFC East at 1-2, a recreation behind the 2-1 Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys scored two first-half touchdowns and restricted the Giants to a few area objectives to guide 14-9 on the half. It was a defensive battle the remainder of the best way, as neither crew scored a landing within the second half.

Dallas picked up its second win of the season with a remaining rating of 20-15, however star edge rusher Micah Parsons was carted off the sphere late within the recreation with a left ankle/foot harm. He mentioned afterward that X-rays had been destructive and he’ll get an MRI on Friday.

Giants’ rookie receiver Malik Nabers additionally exited the sport within the fourth quarter after struggling a concussion.

Listed below are an important issues to know from Thursday night time for each groups:

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott didn’t converse to the media previous to Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Giants. He mentioned he would converse “submit win.” The Cowboys bought the win, nevertheless it wasn’t a creative magnificence. Nonetheless, after Dallas was embarrassed in back-to-back dwelling losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, the one factor that mattered was getting a win on a brief week.

Being 2-2 is so significantly better than 1-3. Had the Cowboys misplaced, it could have marked the primary time they misplaced three September video games since 2001, and they might have been in final place within the NFC East.

Prescott was sharp, particularly within the first half with landing passes to CeeDee Lamb (55 yards) and Rico Dowdle (15 yards). The protection lastly stopped the run and stiffened within the purple zone, holding the Giants to 5 area objectives.

Prescott has now gained 13 straight in opposition to the Giants. His final loss got here in 2016 as a rookie. He tied the second-longest win streak by a quarterback in opposition to a single opponent since quarterback stats had been first tracked in 1950. Tom Brady beat the Buffalo Payments 13 straight occasions from 2003 to 2010, and Steve Younger beat the Rams 13 straight from 1987 to 1998. Prescott will get an opportunity at No. 14 on Thanksgiving.

Promising pattern: When Lamb has some sideline points, the most effective appears to come back out of him. Throughout final yr’s loss at San Francisco, Lamb stored to himself on the sideline after which adopted with six video games with at the least 11 catches and 7 video games with greater than 100 yards. In final week’s loss to New Orleans, Lamb had a spat with Prescott and didn’t converse to the media after the sport. On Tuesday, Lamb was apologetic and mentioned he can be higher. Within the first half alone, he had six catches for 94 yards (each season highs) and a landing.

Eye-popping stat: Brandon Aubrey has performed 21 video games for the Cowboys. He has three area objectives of 60 yards in his profession, together with a 60-yarder within the third quarter in opposition to the Giants. That is one off the NFL document held by Brett Maher, who made 4 with the Cowboys over two totally different stints. Aubrey made a 60-yarder final week in opposition to the Ravens. He’s 2-for-2 from 60 yards this season. The remainder of the league is 0-for-2, in accordance with ESPN Analysis.

Silver lining: The Cowboys may have 10 days to prepare for the presently undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. The time will assist as a result of there’s nonetheless lots that must be corrected, even with the win. Previously three video games, opposing quarterbacks have missed on solely 19 passes. Towards the Saints and Ravens, that was comprehensible as a result of each groups had been so dominant on the run. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had an excessive amount of time to throw for a lot of the sport after beforehand being laid low with the Cowboys, who sacked him 24 occasions in eight video games previous to Thursday. Oh, and so they had been penalized 9 occasions within the first half alone. —Todd Archer

Subsequent recreation: at Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 6.)

New York Giants

The Giants stored it shut in opposition to the Cowboys, however they nonetheless did not come away with a win. After final season, when the Giants had been outscored 89-17 of their two conferences with the Cowboys, this must be seen as progress, proper?

Positive, there are not any ethical victories within the NFL, however this was the third straight step in the appropriate path for the Giants (1-3) after an unpleasant opener.

The hole, at the least to some extent, has narrowed between the division rivals. Dallas nonetheless owns the Giants. It has gained 14 of the previous 15 matchups, and Prescott has overwhelmed them 13 straight occasions. New York nonetheless is not fairly there but, however this proved it is at the least bettering.

QB breakdown: Jones was environment friendly, finishing 29 of 40 passes (73% completion) for 281 yards with an interception on a Hail Mary within the remaining seconds. However the Giants had been stored out of the tip zone, and Jones was quick on most of his deep throws. It is particularly notable contemplating this was an issue early in coaching camp. There was numerous good for Jones, nevertheless it was not fairly sufficient. Jones is clearly taking part in higher for the reason that opener. Having rookie large receiver Malik Nabers (12 catches for 115 yards) definitely helps.

Eye-popping stat: Previous to leaving the sport within the fourth quarter with a concussion, Nabers stored including to his data. He grew to become the primary participant in NFL historical past with at the least 25 receptions and three touchdowns in his first 4 profession video games when he caught a 3-yard move early within the second quarter. He now has 35 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns in 4 video games.

Troubling pattern: High Giants cornerback Deonte Banks has been the closest defender on 4 landing passes already this season, in accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Banks was beat once more on Thursday night time, this time by Lamb for a 55-yard rating within the second quarter. The Giants had been hoping Banks would step into the CB1 function this season. As a substitute, it has been a battle thus far.

Greatest gap within the recreation plan: The Giants weren’t in a position to get something going within the operating recreation in opposition to the league’s worst run protection. Dallas got here into the competition permitting 185.7 yards on the bottom per recreation. The Giants got here into the sport considering they might have success however had solely 29 yards speeding within the first half — and so they completed with 26 yards on 24 carries. — Jordan Raanan

Subsequent recreation: at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 6)