The New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Thursday in a brief week the place Huge Blue seems to be to construct on the momentum gained from their win over the Cleveland Browns final Sunday.
This week they face a division rival within the Cowboys, and whereas the 2 groups have the identical document, the texture round every is completely different. The Giants, in the event that they win this week, will proceed their upswing and constructing momentum. However the Cowboys are coming off of two losses and poor play in lots of areas on the sector, so the texture from them is sort of desperation.
A determined Cowboys workforce received’t be simple to beat, particularly if the Giants play like they did in Week 1, however there are six issues New York can do to make sure a victory on Thursday.
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Dak Prescott has 800 yards and 4 passing touchdowns, however he’s thrown two interceptions and he’s been sacked 9 instances in three video games. On these sacks, he’s misplaced 48 yards. The Giants’ protection has 14 sacks on the season thus far, led by Jason Pinnock who has three. If the Giants can get strain on Prescott, he’ll make a mistake and both maintain on to the ball too lengthy and take a sack, or he’ll flip it over. Regardless of inking a large contract this yr, Prescott isn’t enjoying effectively and if the Giants could make him pay for that, they’ll have a significantly better shot at profitable.
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With Adorree Jackson and Dru Phillips possible out for this matchup, the Giants should discover a answer for Cowboys vast receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb exploded onto the scene in 2020 and made the league take discover. This yr, he has 13 receptions on 24 targets for 218 yards and a landing. He does have a fumble, however he’s Prescott’s No. 1 goal and if the Giants can shut him down then Prescott will probably be pressured to throw to different (much less dependable) receivers.
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Malik Nabers is proving to be every thing the Giants and NFL analysts thought he can be. He’s perceptive, athletic, agile, and his soccer IQ is off the charts. Final week in opposition to Cleveland, he had eight receptions on 12 targets and two touchdowns. He has at the least one reception over 20 yards in every of the three video games and has proven a flair for giant performs. Protecting him concerned within the offense is a should.
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Daniel Jones has two interceptions on the yr and the Giants have 5 fumbles (three misplaced) as an entire. 5 turnovers in three video games, bringing their turnover ratio to -1. In final week’s win, Devin Singletary and Eric Grey each had a fumble. The Giants have been in a position to overcome these, however turning the ball over makes profitable a lot more durable. Simply maintain the ball.
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Regardless of some critical enchancment alongside the offensive line, Daniel Jones has nonetheless been sacked eight instances. The common yards he has misplaced per sack is 3.86, which isn’t horrible, and the offense is powerful sufficient this yr to beat dropping a handful of yards. However wouldn’t it’s so significantly better in the event that they didn’t should? Jones has to make sensible selections, too, and throw the ball away when he’s out of choices. However the line nonetheless has to do higher in opposition to Micah Parsons & Co.
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The one recreation the Giants received is the one recreation they received the time of possession battle. The Minnesota Vikings held the ball for 5 minutes longer than the Giants. The Washington Commanders had it for quarter-hour longer. However final week, the Giants had possession of the ball for eight minutes greater than Cleveland. You’ll be able to’t put factors on the board in case your offense isn’t on the sector. Okay, that’s not fully true, however you get the concept. Time of possession issues, and the Giants have to carry the ball on Thursday in the event that they need to beat the Cowboys.
