12 Nov 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws during the first half against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Image by Kevin Jairaj-Imagn The Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants twice last season, including a 40-0 demolition in primetime at the Meadowlands.
Dallas (1-2) returns to the scene for another primetime contest against the Giants (1-2) on Thursday night when the two NFC East teams meet in East Rutherford, NJ
ODDS AND TRENDS
Dallas is a 5.5- to 6.0-point favorite at most sportsbooks. The line is 5.5 at BetRivers, where the Cowboys have been created with 78 percent of the tickets and 86 percent of the money wagered on the spread line. Meanwhile, the line is 6.0 on DraftKings, where Dallas has also drawn one-sided action with 77 percent of both markets.
The Cowboys have covered the spread in 10 of their past 11 losing road games.
Moneyline Dallas is even more popular, drawing 93 percent of tickets and money -265 on BetRivers and 75 and 80 percent, respectively -258 on DraftKings.
The two books also have slightly different numbers for Over/Under. In BetRivers (45.0 total points), Sound has been made by 80 percent of the money, while 45.5-points total in DraftKings has seen Sound 64 percent.
CHOICE OF PROP
–Over 45.0 Total Points (-110 at BetRivers): The Cowboys have passed the total points line in five consecutive games, and the first three games of 2024 have averaged 46.0 total points.
–Giants RB Devin Singletary Over 15.5 Receiving Yards (-130 on DraftKings): The 27-year-old has built solid early chemistry with Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Singletary has at least four targets in two of the first three games, and is coming off a four-catch, 43-yard effort against the Browns in Week 3 as a reliable underneath option with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers drawing increased attention from the defense.
COWBOYS ‘GOTTA GO’
Dallas isn’t too scared to start this season. After defeating the Cleveland Browns in the opener, the Cowboys were routed by the New Orleans Saints and then lost 28-25 in a misleading final score to visit the Baltimore Ravens last weekend.
The Cowboys scored 19 unanswered fourth quarter points to close it out, but the comeback didn’t mask the problem.
“We’ve got to get it done,” Dallas star linebacker Micah Parsons said. “You know what I’m saying? This is a winning organization. I’m going to uphold those standards, but at the same time, everybody has to uphold those standards. And I’m confident in my faith, and I just think. we’re being tested right now.
Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was not happy to see his squad fall behind by 22 points at home.
“It doesn’t matter how much determination you have in the end,” Lawrence said. “If you don’t start well, chances are you won’t finish well, so results are results. All you can do is check back and get better.”
GIANTS LOOK FAITHFUL
New York won 21-15 in Cleveland last Sunday for its first victory.
Jones threw for two touchdowns for the second straight game while passing for a season-high 236 yards.
The Giants suddenly have a chance at .500 after opening with two losses. However, the dreaded Cowboys returned to the city. In the other meeting last season, host Dallas won 49-17.
“Yeah, we hate to lose to anybody, especially a division game,” Jones said. “We know what this game means, and we’ll be ready.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has passed for an NFL-best 851 yards as well as four touchdowns. He has also been intercepted twice and sacked nine times.
MAIN STATS
Dallas’ running game is sagging with Rico Dowdle leading the way with 88 yards and Ezekiel Elliott contributing 62. The Cowboys rank 30th in the NFL with an average of 73.7 rushing yards per game.
Parsons, a fourth-year star, had just 12 tackles and one sack. He had 40.5 sacks over his first three seasons.
New York ranks 29th in scoring offense at 15 points per game. Jones has passed for 600 meters with Nabers (271 meters) accumulating 45 percent of the yardage. Nabers had three touchdown receptions.
“I have confidence in all the guys,” Jones said, “and Malik played well, but a lot of good receivers.”
THE HISTORY OF THE SERIES
Dallas has won the past six meetings and 13 of the past 14 with New York, with the last season trouncing the Giants in the most one-sided season opener of the contest.
REPORT INJURIES
New York cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Dru Phillips will both miss the game with calf injuries. Wide receiver Darius Slayton (thumb) is questionable.
Dallas cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and safety Markquese Bell (ankle) are both listed as doubtful, and McCarthy called the duo game-time decisions.
The people said
— “I’m a person, every game I act like it’s a Super Bowl for me, for me. But, of course, you remember. I think everyone will remember the home opener they beat like it was on primetime TV.” –Giants safety Jason Pinnock in last season’s blowout loss at home to the Cowboys.
— “He has size and speed and body control,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s a fun player when the ball is in the air. That’s important to me.” –Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy at Nabers.
PREDICTION
The Cowboys have been pushed around on both sides of the ball the past two weeks, but that shouldn’t be the case against the Giants. Dallas has the proverbial back against the wall at the beginning of the season and will play with a heightened sense of urgency on the road against a bitter division rival. –Cowboy 30, Giant 20
–Field Level Media
