The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants are set to renew their storied rivalry in Week 4, marking the 125th encounter between these two NFC East powerhouses. The Cowboys have historically dominated this matchup, leading the all-time series with a 75-47-2 record. Notably, Dallas has triumphed in the last six meetings, with the Giants' most recent victory occurring during the 2020-21 NFL season.
Last season, the Cowboys were particularly ruthless, scoring over 40 points in both games against the Giants. Key to Dallas' recent successes is their star quarterback, Dak Prescott. Prescott, fresh off a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract, has proven himself as one of the league's premier quarterbacks. In the previous season, Prescott led the league with 36 passing touchdowns and finished third in passing yards with a total of 4,516, guiding Dallas to a 12-5 record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. His postseason contributions were impressive, racking up 403 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 45 rushing yards.
In their last game, Prescott continued to display his dual-threat capabilities, throwing for 379 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 1-yard rushing touchdown. "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," a sports analyst noted, underscoring Prescott's multifaceted threat.
Giants Seek to End Losing Streak
The Giants, now led by quarterback Daniel Jones, aim to break their losing streak against the Cowboys. In their recent 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, Jones passed for 236 yards and two touchdowns, signaling a potential shift in momentum for the team. A critical factor in this newfound optimism is rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nabers has quickly become Jones' favorite target, amassing 37 targets over the first three weeks—13 more than any other Giant. He has caught 30 of these targets over the last two games alone, boasting a 37.8% target share and accounting for 50.7% of all New York wide receiver targets this season. In the win against Cleveland, Nabers 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," an expert expressed confidence in Nabers' continued impact.
Defensive Woes for Dallas
One of the critical areas the Cowboys need to address is their defense, which is currently allowing an alarming 29.7 points per game, making them the second-worst in the league this season. This vulnerability could serve as an opportunity for the Giants, particularly for Jones and Nabers, to exploit.
As both teams prepare for this high-stakes showdown, the narrative is one of contrasting conditions. The Cowboys, with a potent offense led by Prescott, look to maintain their dominance over their division rivals, while the Giants, buoyed by emerging talent like Nabers and the steadying presence of Jones, strive to turn the tide in this historic rivalry.
Ultimately, the stage is set for another exciting chapter in the Cowboys-Giants saga. Will Dallas continue their winning streak, or can New York utilize their dynamic new weapons to secure a much-needed victory? Football fans everywhere are eager to find out in what promises to be an electrifying Week 4 matchup.