MetLife Stadium is set to be the battleground for a high-stakes NFC East showdown on Thursday night, pitting the Dallas Cowboys against the New York Giants. The Cowboys head into the game on a six-game winning streak over their division rivals, including impressive victories last season with scores of 40-0 and 49-17.
Recent Dominance
The recent history between these two teams heavily favors Dallas. Not only have they outscored the Giants by wide margins in their last encounters, but they have also clinched the NFC East division title in two of the last three seasons. Despite these successes, the Cowboys are currently aiming to snap a two-game losing streak and improve upon their 5-5 away record since the beginning of 2023.
Key Players to Watch
Dak Prescott has been a pivotal figure in Dallas's dominance over New York. In 13 starts against the Giants, Prescott boasts a career passer rating of 101.6. He has completed 64% of his passes, amassing 3,433 yards and 25 touchdowns against New York, while throwing only six interceptions. This season, however, he has appeared slightly more grounded, with a passer rating of 85.8, completing 60.7% of his attempts for 851 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
CeeDee Lamb also remains a crucial weapon for the Cowboys against the Giants. In six games, Lamb has compiled 38 receptions for 529 yards and two touchdowns. His performance in their November 12 game last season was particularly noteworthy, with Lamb catching 11 passes for 151 yards.
The emergence of rookie Malik Nabers adds another layer to Dallas's offensive arsenal. Nabers leads the Cowboys this season with 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Known for his big-play potential, Nabers has six receptions of 20 or more yards and has accumulated 127 yards after the catch, converting 14 of those receptions into first downs.
Giants Seeking Redemption
On the other side of the field, the Giants come into the game with some momentum, recently securing a 21-15 victory over Cleveland. However, their home record at MetLife Stadium has been less than stellar, standing at 4-5 since the start of last season. The Giants will be looking to break a winless home streak against Dallas that dates back to 2020, when they last defeated the Cowboys 23-19.
Wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson has been a bright spot for the Giants this season, tallying 15 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. His contribution was vital in their latest victory over Cleveland, where he recorded seven catches for 61 yards. Despite his limited big-play capability—his longest reception this season is just 20 yards—Robinson has been effective after the catch, racking up 63 yards.
Betting Odds
For Thursday's game, the Cowboys are 5.5-point favorites, with the over/under for the total points scored set at 45.5. The betting model behind these odds has a track record of well over $7,000 for $100 bettors on top-rated NFL picks. With a 188-130 record on such picks, including a stellar 42-22 run since Week 7 of the 2022 season, the model offers considerable insight into likely outcomes.
As the Cowboys and Giants prepare to renew their rivalry, the stakes are high. While the Cowboys have recent history on their side, the Giants will be motivated to change the narrative at MetLife Stadium. Both teams have key players capable of making game-changing plays, making this a must-watch NFC East confrontation.