As the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants gear up for their 125th encounter in Week 4, the stakes couldn't be higher. Historically, the Cowboys have held the upper hand, leading the all-time series with a 75-47-2 record and riding a six-game winning streak against their division rivals. The last time the Giants managed to beat the Cowboys was back in the 2020-21 NFL season, adding more weight to this highly anticipated matchup.
Last season, the Cowboys were dominant against the Giants, putting up at least 40 points in both of their meetings. Dak Prescott, the talismanic Cowboys quarterback, was at the heart of this offensive juggernaut. Prescott, who is currently on a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract, led the league with 36 passing touchdowns and finished third in passing yards, amassing 4,516 yards. His playoff performance further underscored his prowess, as he threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for an additional 45 yards.
Prescott's Dual Threat
Last week, Prescott showcased his dual-threat capability by scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown, supplementing his 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," analysts observed. His versatility will be crucial for Dallas as they look to maintain their dominance over the Giants.
Giants Looking to Rebuild
On the other side, the Giants have reasons to be optimistic despite their recent struggles against the Cowboys. The Giants secured their first win of the season by defeating the Cleveland Browns 21-15, with quarterback Daniel Jones throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Adding firepower to the offense is rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers has made an immediate impact, garnering 37 targets over the first three weeks—13 more than any other player on the Giants.
Nabers has caught 30 of these targets in just the last two games, boasting an impressive 37.8% target share and being responsible for 50.7% of all New York wide receiver targets this season. His breakout performance continued in the win against Cleveland, where he had eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Nabers' Anticipated Impact
The young wideout's high target share is expected to continue, especially against a Cowboys defense that has been porous, allowing 29.7 points per game—ranking second-worst in the league this season. "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," noted experts.
With Dallas' defensive vulnerabilities and New York's revitalized offense led by the dynamic duo of Jones and Nabers, this game promises to be a fascinating contest. The high stakes, coupled with individual matchups, make it an encounter that fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching. Whether Prescott's experience and dual-threat ability will prevail or Nabers' explosive start to his career will continue to light up the field remains to be seen.
As the Cowboys and Giants write the next chapter in their storied rivalry, the outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications on the NFC East standings. Buckle up for a classic showdown between two teams with much to prove and everything to play for.