With the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants set to clash for the 125th time in Week 4, the anticipation is palpable in the football world. The Cowboy-Giants rivalry is storied, and Dallas currently holds a commanding 75-47-2 lead in the all-time series. Recent history has been particularly kind to the Cowboys, who have emerged victorious in the last six encounters.
Cowboys’ Dominance
The last time the Giants managed to overcome the Cowboys was during the 2020-21 NFL season. Since then, Dallas has had a firm grip on this matchup. Last season, the Cowboys showcased their offensive prowess by scoring at least 40 points in both their meetings with the Giants. A key architect of this success has been quarterback Dak Prescott, who continues to solidify his reputation as one of the league's elite signal-callers.
Prescott, who recently inked a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract, led the NFL in passing touchdowns with 36 last season and finished third in passing yards with 4,516. The Cowboys ended the season with a 12-5 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Prescott's statistical contributions didn't wane in the postseason, as he threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns while adding 45 rushing yards. Just last week, he tallied 379 passing yards and two touchdowns, complemented by a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
The Giants’ Prospects
On the other side of the field, the New York Giants are looking to build on their first win of the season, a 21-15 success against the Cleveland Browns. Quarterback Daniel Jones played a pivotal role in that victory, throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Jones will be looking to his new weapon, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, to continue making plays. Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has quickly become a cornerstone of the Giants' offense.
Nabers has been targeted 37 times over the first three weeks of the season, which is 13 more targets than any other player on the Giants. Moreover, he has caught 30 of these targets over the last two games alone, boasting a 37.8% target share. In the win against Cleveland, Nabers caught eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, further illustrating his importance to the team's offensive game plan.
Cowboys’ Defensive Struggles
While the Cowboys' offense led by Prescott remains formidable, their defense has been a weak link this season. Allowing 29.7 points per game, Dallas ranks as the second-worst defensive unit in the league. This vulnerability could provide an opportunity for Jones and Nabers to exploit. "Prescott doesn't often showcase that rushing side anymore," one observer noted, "but just the fact he has the potential to scramble and create offense with his legs adds to his NFL DFS value."
Nabers' role is expected to be critical in this game. "Nabers will likely receive another huge target share on Thursday," an expert opined, "and with the Cowboys allowing 29.7 points per game, ranking 30th in the NFL, to begin the 2024 NFL season, McClure expects another huge performance from the rookie."
The Stakes
For the Cowboys, maintaining their winning streak against the Giants is crucial as they aim to fortify their standing in the NFC East. For the Giants, a victory could signify a turning point in what has been a challenging start to their season and could inject much-needed momentum. As both teams take the field, the individual battles, particularly Prescott versus Jones and Nabers versus the Cowboys' secondary, will be instrumental in determining the outcome of this high-stakes contest.
The narrative for this week’s matchup is brimming with compelling storylines: from Prescott’s continued quest for supremacy, Nabers' rapid ascent as an offensive force, to a Cowboys defense desperate for redemption. As the teams brace for their 125th meeting, the football world watches with bated breath, eager to witness another chapter in this historic rivalry.