The storied rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants is set to ignite once again as they prepare for their 125th face-off in Week 4. With the Cowboys leading the all-time series 75-47-2 and having dominated the matchup in recent years, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams.
Dallas Dominance
The Cowboys have emerged victorious in the last six encounters against the Giants. Their most recent loss to New York dates back to the 2020-21 NFL season. Last season, Dallas outscored New York by a significant margin, putting up at least 40 points in both of their meetings.
At the heart of Dallas' success is quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott, who recently secured a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract, has proven to be one of the league's elite quarterbacks. Leading the league in passing touchdowns with 36 last season and finishing third in passing yards with 4,516, Prescott has been a pivotal figure in the Cowboys' offensive prowess.
During the playoffs last season, Prescott threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 45 yards. His versatility was on full display last week when he scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown, amassing 379 passing yards and two touchdowns.
"Prescott doesn't often showcase that rushing side anymore, but just the fact he has the potential to scramble and create offense with his legs adds to his NFL DFS value," one expert noted, highlighting the quarterback's multifaceted abilities.
Giants Seeking Redemption
The Giants, on the other hand, are eager to turn the tide. They secured their first win of the season with a 21-15 victory over the Browns, a game in which quarterback Daniel Jones played a pivotal role. Jones threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing a promising performance that the Giants hope will continue.
A crucial element in the Giants' offense has been rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers has quickly made his presence felt, recording 37 targets over the first three weeks of the season – 13 more than any other player on the Giants. Impressively, he has caught 30 of these targets over just the last two games.
With a 37.8% target share, Nabers has been responsible for more than half of all New York wide receiver targets this season. His performance in the win against Cleveland included eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
"Nabers will likely receive another huge target share on Thursday, 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," an expert predicted, emphasizing Nabers' expected impact.
The Defensive Struggle
While the Cowboys' offense has been firing on all cylinders, their defense has struggled significantly. Allowing an average of 29.7 points per game, they rank as the second-worst defense in the league this season. This vulnerability provides a critical opportunity for the Giants, particularly with Nabers' emerging dominance.
In a rivalry as heated as this, every play, every yard, and every touchdown count. With Prescott leading Dallas and Jones finding his rhythm with the help of Nabers, Week 4 promises to be a thrilling chapter in the long history between the Cowboys and the Giants. Both teams know what’s at stake, and fans can expect a high-octane, edge-of-the-seat encounter as these teams clash once more.