Nick Harris: Five things to watch in Cowboys-Giants game
The Dallas Cowboys get a quick opportunity to shake off the stink of back-to-back home losses with a potential turnaround game Thursday night on the road against the New York Giants.
It will be the first time in franchise history that the Cowboys have played a Thursday road game after playing a game on a Sunday. What comes with that? Less time for preparation and more room for the unexpected in a must-win divisional game for both 1-2 teams.
Here are five things to know going into the matchup.
Short week, big problems
Dak Prescott mentioned professionalism on Sunday after the game, Micah Parsons mentioned accountability. On Monday, it was cornerback Jourdan Lewis talking about being detail-oriented.
Whether it’s a football team or your job, hearing about problems of that nature is a concern.
“But us as players, we’ve got to be more professional and understand our jobs,” Prescott said. “Understand where we’re supposed to be and do that time and time again and keep our focus.”
With it being a short week, there is less time to correct those issues while still finding time to prep for the Giants. Is it something that maybe doesn’t need to be said, but more so understood?
Can Cowboys take confidence from finish vs. Ravens?
Sure, the Cowboys were completely dominated for three-and-a-half quarters against the Ravens on Sunday, but there can be some confidence taken from the 19-point barrage the offense put together in its too-little, too-late comeback attempt.
Considering that Dallas used its tempo offense to find that rhythm late, Prescott and his receiving corps may be able to take that momentum into New York against a secondary that will start rookies Tyler Nubin and Andru Phillips and second-year cornerback Deonte Banks.
“Just the way that we finished on offense is vital for us to be able to build on,” Prescott said. “We got going, got hot and it’s important to continue to roll that over into this short week. As far as getting the taste out of your mouth, it’s always better on a short week, win or lose.”
Who takes on Malik Nabers?
No, it isn’t Odell Beckham Jr., but it is another first-round wide receiver out of LSU making big plays for the New York Giants. Malik Nabers, drafted sixth overall in April, has gotten off to an historic start to his NFL career by becoming the first receiver in the game’s history with 20-plus receptions and three touchdowns in his first three games.
Nabers is proving early on that he can be artillery for an offense that seemed to only have Nerf water guns in its armory before the season. With Nabers being that weapon, it’ll be important for the Dallas defense to find the answer to Nabers early on.
“His ability to go get the football,” Mike McCarthy said on what stands out about the rookie. “Obviously, he has the size and the speed, the body control. I do think he’s a very exciting player when the ball is in the air.”
With Caelen Carson missing practice on Monday with a shoulder issue, don’t be surprised if Trevon Diggs is tasked with taking on Nabers for the majority of Thursday’s game. Plus, if you want a bigger presence to combat Nabers’ strong hands with some ball-hawking skills of his own, Diggs may be the better option anyway.
Giants defensive front is no easy task
In under a year, the Giants have done a wonderful job constructing a well-rounded defensive line around Kayvon Thibodeaux by adding Dexter Lawrence II via trade last season and acquiring Brian Burns over the offseason. In all, it combines with a linebacker group led by Bobby Okereke that can get to the ball as well.
Against a Cowboys rushing offense that is surprisingly not last (29th) in yards going into week four, the Giants front seven is expected to present some challenges in the run game. In pass rush, that problem only compounds.
“I think it’s definitely diverse,” McCarthy said. “They got two excellent edge pieces in how they’re playing them, and they’re definitely unpredictable with what they’re doing with them. Lawrence is just a dominant, dominate player inside. I was really impressed particularly with the Cleveland game. They turned up the pressure in that game and obviously the sack numbers speak for themselves.”
The Giants are second in the NFL through three weeks with 14 sacks, including three apiece from Lawrence and safety (yes, safety) Jason Pinnock. Against a Dallas offensive line that has allowed nine sacks, expect the pass rush to come after Prescott early and often.
Prescott, the NFC East weapon
It feels like an evergreen topic to come back to year-after-year, as Prescott continues to shine against familiar NFC East opponents. During his eight year career he has amassed a 32-8 record against divisional opponents including 12 straight victories over the Giants.
Last season, the Cowboys outscored the Giants 89-17 across two games including 547 yards and four touchdowns passes from Prescott. In all, Prescott threw for 1,802 yards and 17 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions against divisional opponents.
In a year where it seems as though each team around Dallas in the NFC East has improved, Prescott’s proven track record may be put to its biggest test.
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
