As Week 4 of the NFL season approaches, the anticipation is building for the 125th showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. With a storied history, this rivalry has always been one to watch, and the stakes are particularly high this week.
Cowboys Dominate Recent History
Historically, the Cowboys have had the upper hand against the Giants, leading the all-time series with a 75-47-2 record. In recent meetings, Dallas has been particularly dominant, winning the last six matchups. The last time the Giants tasted victory over the Cowboys was during the 2020-21 NFL season.
Last season, Dallas showcased their offensive prowess by scoring at least 40 points in both encounters with New York. This offensive firepower is anchored by their star quarterback, Dak Prescott.
Prescott's Performance and Contract
Prescott is coming off an impressive season where he led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 and finished third in passing yards with 4,516. His strong performance helped Dallas secure a 12-5 record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. In the postseason, Prescott threw for 403 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 45 yards, highlighting his dual-threat capabilities. Last week, Prescott added to his accolades by scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown, along with 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," an analyst commented on Prescott's versatility.
In the off-season, Prescott secured his future with the Cowboys by signing a lucrative four-year contract worth $240 million. Expectations are high for the quarterback to continue leading Dallas to success.
Giants' New Era with Malik Nabers
Meanwhile, the Giants are navigating a new era with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers has quickly become a focal point in New York's offense. Over the first three weeks, he has been targeted 37 times, which is 13 more than any other player on the Giants. He has caught 30 of these targets in just the last two games, boasting a 37.8% target share and accounting for 50.7% of all New York's wide receiver targets this season.
In their recent victory against the Cleveland Browns, the Giants secured their first win of the season with a 21-15 scoreline. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns, prominently featuring Nabers, who 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 predicted on Nabers' continued impact.
High Stakes Showdown
The upcoming game is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle. The Cowboys, despite their offensive prowess, have struggled defensively this season, allowing 29.7 points per game, which ranks them as the second-worst defense in the league. This vulnerability could be exploited by the Giants, particularly with Nabers' emerging talent and Jones’ performance under center.
Both teams have much to prove. For Dallas, sustaining their winning streak against the Giants and improving their defensive performance are key objectives. For New York, building on their first win of the season and leveraging the dynamic combination of Jones and Nabers will be crucial.
As the Cowboys and Giants prepare to face off once again, all eyes will be on the marquee players who can tip the balance. Whether it’s Prescott leading a high-powered offense or Nabers becoming the offensive weapon he was drafted to be, this game promises to be an exciting chapter in their historic rivalry.