As the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants gear up for their 125th encounter in Week 4, the stakes couldn't be higher. The rivalry between these two storied franchises has always promised an electrifying mix of drama and athletic excellence, and this matchup appears to be no exception.
A Storied Rivalry
The Cowboys lead the all-time series against the Giants with a 75-47-2 record. Dallas has dominated recent meetings, winning the last six games between the two teams. However, the Giants aren’t backing down easily, with their last victory over the Cowboys occurring in the 2020-21 NFL season. The Cowboys' recent offensive prowess was on full display last season, scoring at least 40 points in both matchups against their NFC East rivals.
Prescott Leading the Charge
The Cowboys are spearheaded by quarterback Dak Prescott, whose exceptional form has been pivotal in their success. Prescott recently inked a lucrative four-year, $240 million contract, underscoring the franchise's faith in their star signal-caller. He led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 last season and finished third in passing yards with 4,516. Under his guidance, Dallas achieved a 12-5 record and secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Prescott continued to shine in the postseason, throwing for 403 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 45 yards. Last week, he scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown alongside 379 passing yards and two more touchdowns, showcasing his multifaceted skill set. As one analyst 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."
A High-Octane Offense Meets a Struggling Defense
The Cowboys' dynamic offense will be crucial, particularly against a New York defense that has been porous this season. Conversely, the Giants' offense has shown signs of life, particularly in their 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, marking their first win of the season. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns in that game, bolstered by the standout performance of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.
The Emergence of Malik Nabers
Nabers, selected sixth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been nothing short of sensational for the Giants. Through the first three weeks of the season, he leads the team with 37 targets—13 more than any other Giants player. Impressively, he has caught 30 passes over the last two games alone. Nabers boasts a mammoth 37.8% target share and has been responsible for 50.7% of all New York wide receiver targets this season.
His breakout performance against the Browns saw him haul in eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns. With such numbers, it's no wonder experts are bullish on his future prospects. "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," said one analyst.
Defense: The Achilles’ Heel
Despite their offensive firepower, the Cowboys have struggled defensively this season, allowing an average of 29.7 points per game, making them the second-worst in the league. This deficency could be an area the Giants look to exploit, especially with a burgeoning talent like Nabers on their side. For the Cowboys to maintain their dominance over the Giants, shoring up their defense will be paramount. The onus will be on their secondary to contain Jones and his new favorite target.
As the Cowboys and Giants prepare to write the next chapter in their fierce rivalry, fans can only expect an engrossing contest, with elite talent on both sides of the ball. Given the stakes and history between these two teams, this Week 4 clash promises to be a game to remember.