The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants are on the brink of another historic meeting, as they prepare to collide for the 125th time in Week 4. The Cowboys currently lead the all-time series against the Giants with a 75-47-2 record, and momentum is on their side, having won the last six encounters between these two storied franchises.
The Prescott Factor
Dallas' offensive juggernaut is powered by quarterback Dak Prescott, who recently signed a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract. Prescott's performance last season was nothing short of spectacular, as he led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 and finished third in passing yards, amassing 4,516. His contributions were instrumental in the Cowboys securing a 12-5 record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Prescott's versatility is a crucial asset for Dallas. As one expert 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." This dual-threat capability was on full display last week when Prescott threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns, and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Dallas' Dominating Offense
Last season, the Cowboys' offense was particularly potent against the Giants, putting up at least 40 points in both meetings. While Dallas has proven its ability to rack up points, it's their defense that has been a cause for concern this season. The Cowboys' defense is currently allowing 29.7 points per game, ranking 30th in the league.
New York's Rising Star
The Giants, on the other hand, are in the midst of a rebuilding phase but have shown flashes of potential. Quarterback Daniel Jones led New York to their first win of the season against the Browns, throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. However, the spotlight this season has been on rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nabers has quickly become Jones' favorite target.
Nabers has been targeted 37 times over the first three weeks of the season, 13 more than any other player on the Giants roster. His impressive performance has included catching 30 of those targets over just the last two games. Nabers also boasts a staggering 37.8% target share and has accounted for 50.7% of all New York wide receiver targets this season. In their win against Cleveland, Nabers caught eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Looking ahead to the Thursday night matchup, experts foresee another standout performance from the rookie. As one analyst commented, "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."
High Stakes Showdown
Both teams have much to prove as they head into their 125th contest. For the Cowboys, maintaining their winning streak against their NFC East rivals while shoring up their defensive vulnerabilities is key. Meanwhile, the Giants will look to build on their recent success and continue the rapid development of their promising young talent in Malik Nabers.
As Thursday night approaches, the City of Dallas will be buzzing with anticipation, hoping for another electrifying performance from Prescott and his high-powered offense. Simultaneously, Giants fans will eagerly watch to see if their rising stars can pull off a major upset. One thing is certain: this clash between the Cowboys and Giants promises to deliver excitement and drama befitting such a long-standing rivalry.