The 125th Showdown Between Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants: High Stakes and High Hopes
As the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants prepare to face off for the 125th time in Week 4, the stakes could not be higher. This historic rivalry has seen its share of intense matchups, and this upcoming game promises to be yet another thrilling chapter. The Cowboys lead the all-time series with a 75-47-2 record, a testament to their dominance over the years. Recently, this dominance has been particularly pronounced, with Dallas having won the last six meetings against the Giants.
Last season, the Cowboys scored at least 40 points in both their encounters with New York, showcasing their offensive prowess. Leading this charge is quarterback Dak Prescott, whose impressive performance last season saw him lead the league in passing touchdowns with 36 and finish third in passing yards with 4,516. Prescott's new four-year contract worth $240 million underscores his value to the team, both as a passer and an occasional rusher. He demonstrated his versatility in the recent playoffs, throwing for 403 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing for 45 more yards.
While Prescott's rushing abilities are not often showcased, they remain an integral part of his game. "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 expert noted. Last week, Prescott scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown and threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns, demonstrating once again why he is one of the league's elite quarterbacks.
On the other side of the field, the New York Giants are looking to build on their recent success after defeating the Cleveland Browns 21-15 for their first win of the season. Quarterback Daniel Jones had a solid outing, throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. One of the key factors for the Giants has been the emergence of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers has quickly become a favorite target, with 37 targets over the first three weeks—13 more than any other player on the Giants. In the win against Cleveland, he had eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Nabers' impact is undeniable, with a 37.8% target share, responsible for 50.7% of all New York wide receiver targets this season. "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," added the expert. The Cowboys’ defense has been a concern, allowing 29.7 points per game, the second-worst in the league this season. This vulnerability could provide an opening for the Giants to exploit, particularly through their dynamic rookie receiver.
Dallas, however, is not to be underestimated. They finished last season with a 12-5 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Cowboys are known for their high-octane offense, which will look to maintain their winning streak against the Giants. For New York, the key to victory could lie in leveraging the connection between Jones and Nabers, while hoping their defense can contain Prescott and the explosive Cowboys offense.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal game, the narratives are rich and the stakes are set. Will Prescott continue his dominance against the Giants, or will the rising star Nabers lead New York to an upset? As the 125th meeting between these storied franchises approaches, anticipation builds, and fans on both sides eagerly await the outcome of this high-stakes showdown.