The Dallas Cowboys came into East Rutherford, New Jersey, desperate for offensive rhythm and to see their defense step up in a big way. While it wasn't perfect Thursday, they found a way to get their second win of the year 20-15.
It was a tightly contested game, with the New York Giants continuously chipping away at the Cowboys' lead despite not scoring a touchdown on the night. Aided by a rare Brandon Aubrey missed field goal with 32 seconds left in the game, the Giants were given one last chance to complete the comeback.
However, with no timeouts and half the field to cover, Daniel Jones had to try to make something happen. Amani Oruwariye sealed the Dallas victory with an interception.
WATCH THE COWBOYS WITH A FUBO FREE TRIAL
Dak Prescott finished the game 22 of 27 for 221 passing yards and two touchdown passes. CeeDee Lamb was a primary beneficiary of the production, finishing the game with seven receptions, 98 yards, and one touchdown.
The Giants came into the night knowing that they may have chances to beat the Cowboys' defense. While they have had their chances, they were unable to score a touchdown, settling for five field goals.
Jones finished the evening 29-for-40 for 281 passing yards and one interception. Standout rookie wide receiver Malik Nabors was the one highlight for the Giants offense, tallying 12 receptions and 115 receiving yards.
Dallas now heads into a mini-bye week at a good time. Both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence left the game with injuries.
Next, the Cowboys will have the weekend off before preparing for a road game Oct. 6 versus Pittsburgh Steelers.
LAST GAME: 3 Cowboys vs. Ravens takeaways
Find live updates below:
Brandon Aubrey has a rare missed field goal that gave the Giants life at midfield. With the football and under a minute to go, the Giants gave it one final try to take the lead. However, Amani Oruwariye seals a Cowboys victory with an interception. Dallas hangs on 20-15 to get their second win of the season.
A touchdown drive may have put this game away. However, the Cowboys' offensive possession stalled out. Aubrey puts another one through the uprights, this time from 40 yards out, to put Dallas' lead back to five, 20-15.
Despite having ample chances to cash in for six tonight, the Giants have been unable to score a touchdown through three-plus quarters. They're still within striking distance deep into the fourth quarter, and their latest field goal attempt from 42 yards out tightens the Cowboys' lead to just two, 17-15.
Cowboys' kicker Brandon Aubrey is as automatic as it comes in the NFL, and following an offensive drive that stalls out at midfield, he got a chance to once again show why. Dallas was unsuccessful on a third down pass to Brandin Cooks, setting Aubrey up with a 60-yard field goal attempt. The Pro Bowl kicker banged it through with room to spare, extending Dallas' lead back up to five, 17-12.
New York came out of the half with a methodical drive that got down to the Dallas 3-yard line. This time Greg Joseph is good from 22 yards out, shortening the lead to 14-12.
It was a messy half for both teams, with 11 accepted penalties in the first two quarters. Despite the sloppiness, the Cowboys have found an offensive rhythm scoring two touchdowns. The Giants found a groove themselves, controlling much of the time of possession but only being able to convert field goals out of their chances. Giants will get the ball to start the second half down 14-9.
New York has dominated the time of possession for much of the first half, controlling the ball for over 18 minutes. The Giants third field goal from 38 yards out, shrinking the Cowboys lead to five, 14-9.
The Cowboys' offense appears to be firing on all cylinders early tonight, cashing in for their second touchdown in as many possessions. This time, Prescott finds CeeDee Lamb for a 55-yard pass to give Dallas a 14-6 lead midway through the second quarter.
The Giants haven't been able to get in the end zone yet tonight, but they have scored field goals on two of their first three possessions. The second of which came from 41 yards out to shrink their deficit to one.
Dallas' offense has struggled to get going early this season, but on their second possession of the night, they were able to answer with a touchdown drive to take their first lead of the night. A 12-play, 75-yard possession was capped off by a Dak Prescott screen pass to running back Rico Dowdle from 15 yards out. Dallas goes up 7-3 early.
Following a stagnant opening possession for the Cowboys' offense, Daniel Jones and the Giants were able to sustain a drive that was capped off by a 52-yard field goal by Greg Joseph. The drive was aided by a 39-yard reception by wide receiver Malik Nabers.
What time is the Cowboys vs. Giants game today?
- Date: Sept. 26.
- Time: 7:15 p.m.
- Where: Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
What channel is the Cowboys vs. Giants game Thursday?
- TV channel: Fox (local viewers)
- Streaming live: Amazon Prime
- Radio: ESPN 102.7, 105.3 FM
Who is announcing the Cowboys vs. Giants game?
- Play-by-play : Al Michaels
- Analyst : Kirk Herbstreit
- Sideline reporter: Kaylee Hartung
Cowboys vs. Giants predictions
ESPN: Three of the four ESPN analysts who picked the Thursday night matchup are leaning the Cowboys' way. Dallas' recent dominance in the rivalry, mixed with unsettledness centered around how good the Giants are, still has the Cowboys to be the favorite in this one.
Pete Prisco: CBS's Pete Prisco believes the Cowboys will get back on track on Thursday following a rough two-week stretch. The Giants looked good in their win against the Browns last week, he writes, but he picks Dallas to win comfortably in this Week 4 matchup.
Tony Catalina, Austin American-Statesman: The Cowboys have had a tough two-week stretch, and with a Thursday night kickoff, they don't have much time to dwell on it. However, the fast turnaround versus a familiar opponent may be what they need. Dallas has dominated the Giants in recent years, and although it may not be a blowout Thursday night, the Cowboys should have enough firepower to get their second win of the season. Cowboys, 31-20 .
Game lines and odds from BetMGM, per Sept. 26:
- Spread: Cowboys -6
- Over/under : 45
- Moneyline: Cowboys -275, Giants +220
Cowboys Inactives:
- S Markquese Bell
- QB Trey Lance (Emergency QB)
- CB Caelan Carson
- T Matt Waletzko
- WR Ryan Flournoy
- TE John Stephens
- DE Tyrus Wheat
Giants Inactives:
- CB Adoree Jackson
- CB Dru Phillips
- C John Michael Schmitz Jr
- S Anthony Johnson Jr
- Edge Benton Whitley
- Edge Boogie Basham
- QB Tommy DeVito (Emergency QB)
Cowboys vs. Giants weather
Rain will be in the area on Thursday but looks to be dissipating prior to kick-off. Temperatures are expected to be in the middle 70s for the duration of the game with some cloud cover, setting up to be perfect football weather for this NFC East clash.
- Sept. 9: Dallas Cowboys 33, Cleveland Browns 17
- Sept. 15: New Orleans Saints 44, Dallas Cowboys 19
- Sept. 22: vs. Baltimore Ravens 28, Dallas Cowboys 25
- Sept. 26: at New York Giants | 7:15 p.m.
- Oct. 6: at Pittsburgh Steelers | 7:20 p.m.
- Oct. 13: vs Detroit Lions | 3:25 p.m.
- Oct. 27: at San Francisco 49ers | 7:20 p.m.
- Nov. 3: at Atlanta Falcons | 12:00 p.m.
- Nov. 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles | 3:25 p.m.
- Nov. 18: vs. Houston Texans | 7:20 p.m.
- Nov. 24: at Washington Commanders | 12:00 p.m.
- Nov. 28: vs New York Giants | 3:30 p.m.
- Dec. 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 7:15 p.m.
- Dec. 15: at Carolina Panthers | 12:00 p.m.
- Dec. 22: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7:20 p.m.
- Dec. 29: at Philadelphia Eagles | 3:25 p.m.
- TBD: vs Washington Commanders
Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer .
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Dallas Cowboys beat New York Giants 20-15 in Week 4: Score-by-score recap
Local News
Comments / 0