The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants are gearing up for what promises to be a highly anticipated clash in Week 4, marking their 125th encounter in NFL history. With stakes high, the Cowboys aim to continue their dominance over the Giants, while New York seeks redemption.
Cowboys' Historical Edge
Historically, the Cowboys have had the upper hand in this rivalry, boasting a 75-47-2 record. Dallas has been particularly dominant in recent years, winning the last six meetings. The Giants last tasted victory against their rivals during the 2020-21 NFL season. Adding to the challenge, the Giants will need to find a way to contain a Cowboys offense that scored at least 40 points in both matchups last season.
Prescott’s Star Power
Leading the Cowboys is quarterback Dak Prescott, who is in the first year of a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract. Prescott demonstrated his elite status last season, leading the league with 36 passing touchdowns and ranking third in passing yards with 4,516. His performance helped steer Dallas to a strong 12-5 record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. In the postseason, Prescott continued to impress, throwing for 403 yards and three touchdowns, along with rushing for 45 yards.
Prescott's versatility adds another layer to his game. As noted, "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." Last week, he showcased this ability with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, complemented by 379 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Giants’ Offensive Hope
On the Giants' side, quarterback Daniel Jones is coming off a satisfying 21-15 victory over the Browns, where he threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants will look to build on this momentum as they seek their first win against Dallas since 2020.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has quickly become a key target for Jones. Nabers' impressive start to the season is reflected in his 37 targets over the first three weeks, 13 more than any other Giants player. He has caught 30 of these targets in the last two games, boasting a staggering 37.8% target share and accounting for 50.7% of all New York wide receiver targets this season.
Nabers' breakout performance against Cleveland, where he had eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, highlights his potential impact. Expert projections indicate that "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."
Defensive Challenges
Although the Cowboys have an impressive offensive lineup, their defense has been underwhelming, allowing 29.7 points per game. This statistic places them second-worst in the league, a vulnerability the Giants will likely aim to exploit.
As these two storied franchises prepare for their 125th meeting, the narrative is rich with history and high stakes. The Cowboys look to maintain their existing dominance, driven by Prescott's exceptional performances and a potent offense. Meanwhile, the Giants, empowered by emerging stars like Nabers and the steady leadership of Jones, strive to turn the tide and mark a significant win.
This clash not only promises to be a thrilling chapter in their long-standing rivalry but also a measure of whether the Cowboys' high-powered offense can overcome their defensive struggles and whether the Giants can leverage their young talents to stage an upset.