New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: Thanksgiving Showdown Preview
The New York Giants (2-9) are set to face off against the Dallas Cowboys (4-7) this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. EST, airing on Fox. According to BetMGM, the Cowboys are favored by 4 points in this matchup. Both teams have displayed struggles against the spread, with the Giants at 3-8 and the Cowboys also at 3-8. Historically, the Cowboys lead the series 76-47-2, having won their last encounter 20-15 on September 26 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
In their previous games, the Giants suffered a disappointing defeat to the Buccaneers, losing 30-7, whereas the Cowboys managed to secure a win against the Commanders, finishing 34-26. When examining team statistics, the Giants’ offense ranks 24th in total yards, 19th in rushing, 28th in passing, and 32nd in scoring. On the other hand, the Giants’ defense is slightly better positioned at 19th overall, 30th against the run, 7th against the pass, and ranking 17th in scoring defense. The Cowboys’ offense fares similarly at 21st overall, 31st in rushing, 8th in passing, and tied for 22nd in scoring. Their defense ranks poorly as well, sitting at 27th overall, 31st against the run, 21st against the pass, and 31st in scoring defense. Both teams are struggling with turnovers, with the Giants at minus-6 and the Cowboys at minus-9.
For the Giants, a standout player to keep an eye on is wide receiver Malik Nabers. The sixth overall pick in the draft recorded a team-high six receptions for 64 yards last week, despite not being utilized in the first half. Coach Brian Daboll plans to ensure Nabers is more involved, especially since he previously had a season-best game against Dallas with 12 catches for 115 yards. Nabers had to miss the following games due to a concussion sustained during that performance.
On the Cowboys’ side, running back Rico Dowdle is a player to watch. Coming off two strong performances, he rushed for 86 yards against Washington after a previous tally of 87 against Pittsburgh. Dowdle looks to maintain that momentum, notably in an inconsistent Dallas run game that has frequently struggled throughout the season.
A crucial matchup in this game will be Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence squaring off against the Cowboys’ offensive line. Lawrence is tied for sixth in the league with a career-high of nine sacks. The Cowboys have faced challenges with their offensive line due to injuries and inexperience, which has hindered their rushing attack this season. Dallas demonstrated some improvement in their last game, and it will be interesting to see if they can protect quarterback Cooper Rush and establish a run game against a formidable Giants defense.
Injuries play a significant role in this matchup. Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito has a sore throwing arm after his first start. His availability for the game is uncertain, prompting Coach Daboll to ensure Drew Lock gets extra practice reps. The Giants also lost outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who had six sacks, to injured reserve due to a toe injury. Other notable injuries include left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and defensive lineman Armon Watts, both ruled out for this game.
The Cowboys face their own injury challenges, potentially missing All-Pro right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs, both of whom have been nursing various injuries. However, left guard Tyler Smith is expected to play after missing the last game. Tight end Jake Ferguson remains in concussion protocol, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks is nearing a return from a knee injury.
Looking at historical context, the Cowboys have dominated the rivalry, winning 14 out of the last 15 matches against the Giants. This Thanksgiving matchup marks the second in three seasons for these NFC East rivals, following their previous meetings that favored the Cowboys. The Giants have not celebrated a Thanksgiving win since 1982, making this game even more crucial from a morale standpoint.
In terms of statistics, the combined 16 losses between New York and Dallas are unprecedented in a Cowboys Thanksgiving game setting, a record previously held at 14. The Giants are currently on a six-game losing streak, their longest since 2019, while the Cowboys are struggling at 0-5 at home. As they enter this Thanksgiving game, both teams have a lot at stake, looking to turn their fortunes around amidst disappointing seasons.
For fantasy enthusiasts, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb could be a key player to watch. Although he has produced an average of 91 yards receiving per game against the Giants, he has not found the end zone as frequently. While the Giants struggle in various aspects, their pass defense still remains solid, ranking seventh in the league.