Giants at Cowboys: Preview and Prediction

What a difference a win makes. The New York Giants were seemingly a lost cause just one week ago today, sitting at 0-3 and staring down the grim prospect of another failed season. Now, after having beaten the New Orleans Saints in overtime to jump to 1-3, Big Blue suddenly has renewed life. New York can really vault themselves back into relevancy when they travel to Dallas this Sunday to take on the division rival Cowboys. A win in Big D would put the Giants just a game back of the division lead with 12 games left in the regular season; hardly the hopeless position it felt as though they were in after Week 3.

A win in Dallas, though, is easier said than done. The Cowboys sit atop the NFC East at 3-1. They look to be every bit the offensive juggernaut their talent implies. Dallas ranks fourth in the NFL in points per game, and third in yards per game. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been playing arguably the best football of his career, completing 75.2 percent of his passes at eight yards per attempt. His play, combined with their dazzling skill position players and resurgent offensive line, makes this offense capable of dominating in every way.

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On defense, they’ve been better than expected, if still not great. They sit tied for 16th in points allowed per game, and two of their young stars have made huge impacts early on. Second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs already has five interceptions on the season, and rookie linebacker Micah Parsons has been a menace as both a pass rusher and run defender.

Beating this Cowboys team will be a tall task for the Giants. If they can pull it off, they’ll have overturned the perception of their season in a matter of two weeks.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s game, followed by a prediction for the final score.

Where and When

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST

Inuries

New York: DL Leonard Williams (Questionable), TE Kaden Smith (Questionable), WR Darius Slayton (Questionable), WR Sterling Shepard (Questionable), OT Andrew Thomas (Questionable), S Jabrill Peppers (Questionable), S Nate Ebner (Questionable), OG Ben Bredeson (Questionable)

Dallas: WR Amari Cooper (Questionable), RB Ezekiel Elliott (Questionable), DE Randy Gregory (Questionable), S Donovan Wilson (Questionable), DE Carlos Watkins (Questionable), OT Ty Nsekhe (Questionable), DE Dorance Armstrong (Questionable)

Most Concerning Matchup: LB Micah Parsons vs. OT Nate Solder

Parsons was considered a generational linebacker while playing in college for Penn State. After opting out of the 2020 college season due to COVID-19, Dallas was able to nab him with the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft. The Cowboys have deployed him at multiple positions within their front-seven, but he’s made the most noticeable impact as an edge rusher. Through four games, Parsons has two and a half sacks along with 11 total quarterback pressures. His elite athleticism is often a mismatch for slow-footed right tackles.

The Giants have their own slow-footed right tackle in Solder. The veteran is coming off his best game of the year, but he’s required help in the way of chips and double teams to hold up. At 33-years old, Solder is past his physical prime. The idea of him having to keep up with Parsons all game is frightening. Dallas would be well advised to line Parsons up over Solder on obvious passing downs. New York will once again have to lend Solder plenty of support for their offense to function.

Most Promising Matchup: DT Dexter Lawrence vs. C Tyler Biadasz

After an injury-plagued 2020, Dallas’ offensive line has returned to form as one the NFL’s best. If they have one weakness, however, it’s their second-year center Biadasz. The Wisconsin product has had a disappointing start to his year, earning a paltry 54.5 grade from Pro Football Focus while struggling in pass protection. We all remember the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Vita Vea plowing right through him on opening night.

Lawrence may not be the imposing force that Vea is, but at 340 pounds he’s not too far off. Of all the defensive lineman on the Giants, he’s best equipped to take advantage of Biadasz’s questionable anchor. New York doesn’t have anyone capable of consistently generating pressure off the edge. Lining Lawrence up over the ball to create an interior push could be Big Blue’s best chance at making Prescott uncomfortable in the pocket.

Keys to Victory

Daniel Jones. NFL games are always decided by a plethora of factors, but Jones maintaining or exceeding his high level of play is an absolute must for New York to have a realistic chance at winning. It’ll be very difficult for the Giants’ defense to hold Dallas’ offense to under 25 points. Jones will have to continue hitting on big strikes through the air while taking care of the ball to keep up with Prescott and company.

Head coach Joe Judge will also have to change his stripes when it comes to fourth-down decision making. Judge has been criticized for being overly conservative this season. He needs to understand that settling for field goals won’t be enough in this game. An agressive approach on any fourth-and-short situations at or beyond midfield is necessary to maximize New York’s chances at putting sufficient points on the board.

Final Score Prediction: Cowboys 31 – Giants 23

This game will be played closer to even than it’s final score will likely suggest. The biggest differentiating factor between these teams, and the one that will seperate them on Sunday, is red zone efficiency. The Cowboys rank tied for 11th at converting red zone trips into touchdowns, whereas the Giants rank dead last. Both of these offenses will be able to move the ball, but Dallas’ touchdowns will outpace New York’s field goals by the final whistle.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.