As the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants prepare to clash for the 125th time in Week 4, the aura of rivalry is palpable. Historically, Dallas has dominated this fixture, leading the all-time series with a 75-47-2 record. This trend has continued in recent years, with the Cowboys triumphing in their last six meetings. The Giants' last victory against their nemesis occurred back in the 2020-21 NFL season.
Recent Performance and Key Players
Last season, the Cowboys didn't just win against the Giants; they sent a clear message with overpowering offensive displays, scoring at least 40 points in both of their encounters. A significant part of this offensive prowess can be attributed to their stalwart quarterback, Dak Prescott. With a fresh four-year, $240 million contract, Prescott enters this season with high expectations. Last season, he led the league with 36 passing touchdowns and finished third in passing yards with 4,516, cementing his status as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.
Dallas finished last season with a 12-5 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Prescott's performance in the playoffs was nothing short of stellar, throwing for 403 yards, three touchdowns, and rushing for an additional 45 yards. His versatility was on full display last week when he scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown and threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns.
Giants' Offensive Prospects
On the other side of the field, the New York Giants are looking to build momentum after their first win of the season, a 21-15 victory over the Browns. Quarterback Daniel Jones had a solid performance, throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. However, it's rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers who has been the standout performer for the Giants. Drafted as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Nabers has quickly become Jones' go-to target.
Nabers has been targeted 37 times over the first three weeks, which is 13 more than any other player on the Giants. In the last two games alone, he has caught 30 of these targets. Currently, Nabers boasts a target share of 37.8% and is responsible for 50.7% of all wide receiver targets for the Giants this season. His breakout performance against Cleveland saw him with eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Expert opinions suggest that Nabers will continue to receive a significant target share in the upcoming game against the Cowboys. Given that Dallas' defense is currently allowing 29.7 points per game, ranking them 30th in the league this season, expectations are high for another big performance from the rookie. As noted, "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."
Defensive Concerns for the Cowboys
While Dallas' offense has proven to be lethal, their defensive unit has been a cause for concern. Allowing an average of 29.7 points per game places them as the second-worst in the league this season. This discrepancy between offensive strength and defensive frailty will be something to watch as they face a Giants team eager to exploit any weaknesses.
Conclusion
As both teams gear up for this pivotal clash, the spotlight will be on the quarterbacks, veteran Prescott and rising star Jones, to guide their teams offensively. The performances of key players like Malik Nabers and the defensive strategies employed by both sides will be critical in determining the outcome of this rivalry game. Given past performances and current form, fans can expect a high-scoring and thrilling contest.