The long-standing rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants is set to culminate in their 125th showdown in Week 4 of the NFL season. Both teams are poised to put their best foot forward, but recent history heavily favors the Cowboys. Dallas leads the all-time series with a commanding 75-47-2 record and has emerged victorious in the last six meetings.
Cowboys' Offensive Juggernaut
The Cowboys' offense, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, has been a high-powered machine. Last season, Dallas managed to score over 40 points in both encounters against the Giants. Prescott, whose new four-year contract is worth $240 million, has been instrumental in their offensive success. He topped the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns last season and ranked third in passing yards with 4,516.
Prescott continued his stellar performance in the playoffs, throwing for 403 yards, three touchdowns, and rushing for 45 yards. His dual-threat capability remains a potent asset for Dallas. "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," noted a sports analyst.
In the previous week, Prescott exhibited his versatility by rushing for a 1-yard touchdown in addition to accumulating 379 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys concluded the previous season with a solid 12-5 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Giants' New Hope
On the other side, the New York Giants aim to break their losing streak against the Cowboys. Their last victory over Dallas dates back to the 2020-21 NFL season. The Giants recently secured their first win of the season by defeating the Cleveland Browns 21-15.
Quarterback Daniel Jones showed promise by throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the game against the Browns. However, it's rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers who has been the standout performer for the Giants. Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has quickly become Jones' go-to target.
Nabers has dominated the Giants' receiving corps with 37 targets over the first three weeks, 13 more than any other player on the team. He has caught 30 of these targets over the last two games alone, boasting an impressive 37.8% target share. His impact was undeniable in the win against Cleveland, where he had 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," underlined an expert. Nabers' involvement will be crucial if the Giants are to overturn their fortunes against Dallas.
Defensive Concerns
While Dallas' offense has been firing on all cylinders, their defense has been a cause for concern. Allowing 29.7 points per game, the Cowboys' defense ranks as the second-worst in the league this season. This vulnerability gives the Giants a potential opening to exploit, especially with Nabers quickly becoming a key offensive weapon.
As the storied rivalry adds another chapter, the stakes are undeniably high. The Cowboys aim to extend their dominance, while the Giants are desperate to register a win and boost their momentum for the rest of the season. With Prescott's seasoned leadership and Nabers' explosive entry into professional football, all eyes will be on this dynamic clash, promising excitement and drama for fans on both sides.