The Dallas Cowboys (1-2) will face off against the New York Giants (1-2) on Thursday Night Football, each looking to bounce back after tough early-season performances. For the Cowboys, this game presents an opportunity to turn things around, while the Giants seek to ride the momentum of their recently improved offense.
The Cowboys enter the matchup reeling from back-to-back defensive meltdowns against the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, leaving their once-feared defense exposed. Dallas now ranks near the bottom of the league in key defensive metrics: No. 30 in points allowed and No. 28 in total yards given up. Despite having star playmakers like Micah Parsons on the edge, the Cowboys’ defense has struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks and contain big plays. These weaknesses have left them vulnerable to offenses that exploit their defensive lapses.
On the offensive side, however, Dallas remains one of the most potent teams in the league. They currently rank in the top 10 in both points and total yards, largely thanks to a high-flying passing attack. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been sharp, spreading the ball to a talented receiving corps, but the ground game has been nearly nonexistent through three games. The Cowboys will need to establish more balance in order to keep opposing defenses honest and help take pressure off their own beleaguered defense.
The New York Giants, coming off a shaky start, have shown life offensively in recent weeks. Over the last two games, quarterback Daniel Jones has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 414 yards and four touchdowns without throwing an interception. The key to the Giants’ recent offensive surge has been rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has quickly emerged as a go-to target. Nabers has racked up 18 receptions for 205 yards and three touchdowns in just the last two games, giving Jones a reliable playmaker in the passing game.
Despite the improvements, the Giants will need to continue to execute at a high level on offense to keep pace with the Cowboys. Their defense will be tested by Prescott and the Cowboys’ aerial assault, and unless they can generate consistent pressure and force turnovers, it could be a long night for New York.
For Dallas to get back on track, their defense must improve drastically. Edge rusher Micah Parsons and the rest of the Cowboys’ front seven will be critical in pressuring Daniel Jones and disrupting the Giants‘ rhythm. The Cowboys’ secondary, meanwhile, will have their hands full containing Malik Nabers and preventing the big plays that have haunted them in previous weeks.
Offensively, the Cowboys are likely to find success through the air, but they need to get their running game going to control the clock and wear down the Giants’ defense. Running back Tony Pollard will need to be more involved, especially on a short week when the physical toll of consecutive games could affect the Cowboys’ stamina.
The Cowboys have historically dominated this NFC East rivalry, winning 13 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams. The Giants’ last win against Dallas came on January 3, 2021, but given both teams’ shaky starts, anything could happen under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football.
With both teams eager to avoid falling to 1-3, this early-season divisional clash could be a pivotal moment for their 2024 campaigns.
The game will be streamed live on Amazon Prime on Thursday night, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 pm ET.
