The NFC East showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants promises a high-stakes encounter this Thursday night at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys have enjoyed a recent string of dominant victories over the Giants, including overwhelming scorelines of 40-0 and 49-17 last season. Thursday's game will reveal if Dallas can continue their commanding form or if the Giants have found a way to reclaim their home turf.
Recent History and Current Form
The Cowboys enter this matchup riding a six-game winning streak against the Giants, reflecting their consistent upper hand in recent encounters. Dallas has also secured the NFC East division title in two of the last three seasons, further underscoring their competitive edge within the division.
However, the Cowboys are looking to snap a two-game losing streak, a hiccup they'll be keen to overcome. While the Giants may draw confidence from their latest 21-15 victory over Cleveland, history hasn't been kind to them when facing Dallas. The Cowboys' away record stands at 5-5 since the beginning of 2023, whereas the Giants have a 4-5 home record at MetLife Stadium over the same period.
Key Players to Watch
Your eyes will undoubtedly be on Dak Prescott, who holds a remarkable career passer rating of 101.6 against the Giants in 13 starts. Prescott has completed 64% of his passes for 3,433 yards, scoring 25 touchdowns and only throwing six interceptions against New York. Despite a lower passer rating of 85.8 this season, he's demonstrated he’s capable of rising to the occasion.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb also poses a significant threat, especially to the Giants’ secondary. Lamb has accumulated 38 receptions for 529 yards and two touchdowns in just six games against them. In their previous November 12 encounter last season, Lamb caught an impressive 11 passes for 151 yards.
Adding youthful exuberance to the Dallas offense is rookie Malik Nabers. Leading the team this season with 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns, Nabers has shown he's a deep threat with six receptions of 20 or more yards and 14 first-down conversions. His 127 yards after the catch further highlight his playmaking ability.
Giants' Standouts
For the Giants, Wan'Dale Robinson is a player to keep tabs on. Robinson, with 15 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown this season, can be the spark the Giants need. His contributions in their last game, which included seven catches for 61 yards, were pivotal in securing their victory over Cleveland.
The Giants will also remember their last home victory over the Cowboys, a 23-19 result in 2020. Such memories could provide a psychological boost as they prepare for the upcoming game, though they will need to bring their best to compete against a Dallas team that enters the game as 5.5-point favorites.
Betting Insights and Predictions
The betting model favors Dallas not only in terms of the point spread but also in overall performance metrics. With an impressive track record of well over $7,000 for $100 bettors on top-rated NFL picks, the model currently stands at 188-130, including a 42-22 streak since Week 7 of the 2022 season.
The over/under for total points scored is set at 45.5, an indication that bookmakers are anticipating a high-scoring game. Given the offensive firepower on both teams, this could very well turn into a shootout.
As the Cowboys and Giants gear up for what is set to be another thrilling chapter in their storied rivalry, fans on both sides can expect a hard-fought battle. Whether Dallas continues its recent dominance or the Giants manage to turn the tide will be revealed under the bright lights of MetLife Stadium. One thing is for certain: football fans are in for a spectacle.