Week 4 is here, and we're now in the thick of things. Daniel Jones has been the culprit to blame for the Giants being 1-2 at this point in the year. The Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys in what should be a hard-hitting affair between two of the fiercest NFC East Rivals. The Cowboys are led by Dakota Prescott, one of the league's most dynamic but polarizing quarterbacks. Last week, the Dallas Cowboys faced a tough 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Dak Prescott had a productive game, completing 28 of 51 passes for 379 yards and contributing three total touchdowns. However, despite these numbers, the Cowboys struggled early, falling behind 21-3 by halftime. Prescott was under significant pressure, and the Ravens' defense forced key mistakes, including a critical fumble by wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
While the Cowboys mounted a second-half comeback, cutting the deficit to three points by the end, it wasn’t enough to overcome Baltimore. Ravens running back Derrick Henry had a dominant performance, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Lamar Jackson added two more touchdowns, making it difficult for the Cowboys' defense to keep pace.
Prescott’s frustrations were visible during the game, particularly in a sideline exchange with Lamb. The two later downplayed the incident, with Prescott taking responsibility for the offense's struggles and emphasizing the need to move forward.
Game Info
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Start Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
TV Info: Amazon Prime Video (Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit on the call)
Giants Uniform Info: Blue tops, white pants
Dallas Cowboys Statistical Rankings through Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season:
Points Per Game: 25.7 (6th)
Points Allowed Per Game: 29.7 (30th)
Offensive Yards Per Game: 343.7 Yards (10th)
Passing/Rushing Yards Per Game: 285.7 Yards Passing (1st) and 73.7 Yards Rushing (30th)
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 334.0 Yards (16th)
Passing/Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 255.7 Yards Passing (24th) and 78.3 Yards Rushing (3rd)
Third Down Offensive/Defensive Conversion Rate: 42.5% (8th) and 30.8% (9th)
Red Zone Offensive/Defensive Conversion Rate: 50.0% (14th) and 75.0% (26th)
Penalties Per Game: 7 (20th)
Penalty Yardage Per Game: 51.7 (17th)
Injury Report
Cowboys: Jordan Phillips DT, Durrell Johnson DE, Chuma Edoga G
Giants: Dru Phillips CB, Graham Gano K, Adoree' Jackson CB
Dallas Cowboys
Defense
The Dallas Cowboys' defense has shown significant vulnerability, particularly in Week 3 of the 2024 season against the Baltimore Ravens. In that game, the Cowboys allowed 456 total yards, including 274 rushing yards, and gave up 28 points. Despite an improved second-half effort, the defense struggled to contain the Ravens’ offense, led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, who dominated on the ground. This performance marked a concerning trend, as Dallas allowed an average of 29.7 points per game through the first three weeks, ranking 30th in the NFL.
Despite some struggles, Micah Parsons continues to be the heartbeat of the defense. The versatile linebacker/edge rusher is a dominant force, leading the team in sacks and consistently disrupting opposing offenses. His pass-rushing ability is elite, and he has also made impactful plays in coverage and run defense, showcasing his all-around skill set.
However, one of the Cowboys’ defense strengths has been its ability to defend against the run, allowing just 78.3 rushing yards per game (third in the league). Their pass defense, on the other hand, has been a significant issue, giving up 255.7 passing yards per game, placing them 24th in the NFL. Missed assignments and a lack of consistent pass rush have contributed to this imbalance.
In the secondary, Trevon Diggs is a catalyst with his ball-hawking skills, helping the defense create turnovers and change momentum. However, his absence has left a significant void in coverage. Stephon Gilmore, a veteran cornerback, has stepped in to provide leadership and stability, though the overall pass defense remains a work in progress.
In terms of third-down defense, the Cowboys have been relatively strong, allowing opponents to convert only 30.8% of their third-down attempts, which ranks 9th in the league. Despite their struggles in other areas, their ability to hold teams in critical third-down situations has been one of the few bright spots.
While the Cowboys have shown flashes of potential, their defensive inconsistencies have cost them in recent games, particularly against high-powered offenses like Baltimore. Improving pass coverage and reducing big plays will be essential for them moving forward.
Offense
The Dallas Cowboys' offense has shown mixed performances recently. Despite strong showings from key players, they’ve struggled with consistency, as seen in their 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Dak Prescott has been a central figure, throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns last week, but he has also faced pressure from defenses, resulting in some inefficiency during crucial moments.
CeeDee Lamb, their top receiver, continues to be a standout, amassing over 200 receiving yards through the season's early weeks. Running back Rico Dowdle has seen increased involvement in the rushing game due to Tony Pollard’s limited production, though the rushing attack remains one of the weakest in the league, ranking 30th
The Cowboys need to establish a more balanced attack to improve against the Giants in Week 4. The rushing game has been ineffective, averaging only 73.7 yards per game, which places a heavy burden on Prescott and the passing game. Incorporating more creative run plays or focusing on short-yardage situations could help diversify the offense. Additionally, improving offensive line protection will give Prescott time to make deep throws and avoid costly turnovers.
Facing a Giants defense that has struggled in coverage, targeting mismatches with Lamb and using their tight ends could help exploit gaps in the secondary. Increased efficiency in the red zone, where the Cowboys have been inconsistent, will be crucial to converting drives into touchdowns rather than settling for field goals.
New York Giants
Defense
The New York Giants defense has faced a challenging start to the 2024 season, showing both flashes of potential and areas of vulnerability. In recent games, the unit has struggled to maintain consistency, particularly in defending the pass. Despite these challenges, standout performances from key players like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence have been the backbone of the defense, with their pass-rush ability helping to mask some of the coverage issues. Thibodeaux, in particular, has been effective at getting to the quarterback, while Lawrence continues to be a dominant force on the interior, both in stopping the run and disrupting the pocket.
The absence of Adoree' Jackson, a key veteran cornerback, will significantly blow the Giants’ secondary, making it more challenging to contain opposing wide receivers. Jackson’s experience in man coverage and his ability to track top receivers will be missed, as the Giants have had to rely on less experienced players. Dru Phillips had been a bright spot before his injury, contributing significantly in both coverage and run support. His versatility, athleticism, and quick adaptation to the NFL level provided a dynamic element to the Giants' secondary. Without Phillips, the defense has had to adjust, with players like Deontay Banks and Darnay Holmes taking on even more responsibility in the back end.
Before his injury, Dru Phillips had emerged as a valuable piece of the Giants' defensive scheme. His physicality and intelligence made him an asset in both coverage and blitzing situations, and his presence helped create more flexibility in Shane Bowen's aggressive system. Phillips quickly became known for effectively covering tight ends and running backs, providing a reliable option in nickel and dime packages. His absence has forced the Giants to lean more heavily on depth players, who have sometimes struggled to match his level of play.
To improve ahead of their Week 4 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants’ defense must tighten up its pass coverage, particularly against a Cowboys offense that has been effective in the air, led by Prescott. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will likely continue to lean on his front seven to pressure Prescott and force hurried decisions.
The Giants can also consider rotating safeties and bringing in more zone coverage schemes to help mitigate the loss of key secondary players. Improved tackling, reducing penalties, and winning on third downs will be crucial to limit the Cowboys' high-powered passing attack. They must also find a way to slow down the Cowboys' short-yardage passing game and limit big plays from CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas receivers.
Offense
The New York Giants' offense has shown some improvement in recent games, particularly in their last two outings. After a rough start to the season, quarterback Daniel Jones has started to find a rhythm, throwing for four touchdowns and no interceptions over these games. His connection with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has been especially fruitful; Nabers caught two touchdown passes in the recent game against the Browns, demonstrating his potential as a key offensive weapon.
Since being selected sixth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Malik Nabers has quickly emerged as a pivotal player for the New York Giants. His dynamic performance in the early season has revitalized a struggling Giants offense and instilled newfound confidence in quarterback Daniel Jones. Nabers has amassed impressive statistics through the first three games, including 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns, setting multiple records for a rookie receiver.
His ability to make spectacular catches—often in high-pressure situations—has positioned him as a go-to target for Jones, helping to alleviate some of the quarterback's struggles. Notably, Nabers has showcased his versatility by excelling in various roles, from making deep catches to effectively navigating short routes. His performance has not only made him a candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year but has also established him as a key playmaker for the Giants, reminiscent of the team's early days with Odell Beckham Jr. Overall, Nabers' impact has been transformative, injecting energy into the Giants' offense and becoming a central figure in their plans moving forward.
In their most recent game, the Giants secured a 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, marked by a strong defensive performance and an effective offensive strategy that took advantage of turnovers. Despite some inconsistencies, Jones has been effective at managing the game and has scrambled well, which is crucial given the ongoing issues with the offensive line. However, the team still faces challenges, particularly in diversifying their offensive options beyond a few key players like Nabers and running back Devin Singletary, who has seen limited touches.
Overall, while there have been signs of progress, particularly with the connection between Jones and Nabers, the Giants will need to maintain this momentum to compete effectively against stronger defenses like the Dallas Cowboys' upcoming matchup.
Betting Info
Spread- DAL -5.5 (-110)/NYG +5.5(+110)
Moneyline- DAL (-225)/NYG (+190)
Over/Under- O45.5 (-105)/U45.5(-115)
Lines via Fanduel as of Sept 26th. 2024
Best Plays
Ceedee Lamb Anytime Touchdown (-135)
Devin Singletary O15.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Malik Nabers 5 Receptions (-320)
Rico Dowdle U38.5 Yards (-110)
Prediction
The Giants' offense has shown signs of life, especially with the emerging chemistry between Daniel Jones and rookie wideout Malik Nabers. They'll look to maintain that momentum after a 21-15 win against the Browns. However, they face a tough Cowboys defense that, while not as dominant in the last two games, still boasts playmakers like Micah Parsons, who can disrupt any rhythm the Giants try to build.
The Giants’ offensive line remains a concern, which could make it difficult for Jones to stay comfortable in the pocket against Dallas’ pass rush. Conversely, the Cowboys will aim to bounce back from their defensive lapses, particularly in the secondary. Dallas' offense, led by Dak Prescott, should be able to exploit the Giants' defense, especially given New York's historical struggles containing Prescott. While the Giants will put up a fight, Dallas' overall depth and experience on both sides of the ball give them the edge.
Final Score: Cowboys 27, Giants 17
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