EAST RUTHERFORD − Ownership is a funny thing in professional sports.
We all know about Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. The Mara and Tisch families write the checks for the New York Giants . But in terms of who owns Big Blue, for the last eight years, it's Dak Prescott and the Cowboys.
So when you ask what was at stake Thursday night when the two longtime NFC East rivals faced off under the lights in MetLife Stadium, the rundown is a bit hard to look at for Mara, Tisch and Co.
Look away, Giants fans: because no matter how close things were on the scoreboard, this remains the harsh reality.
Cowboys 20, Giants 15
The Giants have not beaten the Cowboys with fans in the stands since 2016. They've now lost 14 of 15 in the series, including seven straight, and the only win in that span at the Meadowlands is the 2021 finale when rookie Xavier McKinney intercepted Andy Dalton to help seal the sixth victory of Joe Judge's first season as head coach.
The Giants have not won twice in a five-day Sunday-Thursday stretch since 2014. Daniel Jones has won just twice in prime time. Oh, and as if you needed a reminder, the Giants lost to the Cowboys by a combined two-game score of 89-17 last season, including 40-0 on opening night at MetLife.
This one was a lot closer, of course, but yet again, the Giants did not make enough plays when it mattered.
They settled for five Greg Joseph field goals and did not score a touchdown. Dak Prescott's 55-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb in the first half was the kind of big play the Cowboys' offense was able to produce, while the Giants (1-3) never did.
Malik Nabers had 12 catches for 115 yards, but could not hold onto what was a difficult catch on Daniel Jones' fourth down throw late in the fourth quarter. Officials initially ruled Nabers made the catch, only to quickly change the call, which was supported by replays.
Nabers stayed down for an extended period after the play and he was helped to his feet by the medical staff. He wound up heading to the medical tent and then went to the locker room as the waning moments played out with the Giants' defense trying to get the offense one final shot.
Nabers was ultimately ruled out with a concussion.
Brandon Aubrey, who earlier hit from 60 yards, missed from 51 with 28 seconds left.
The Giants took over at their own 41. Without Nabers on the field, Jones fired downfield incomplete to Wan'Dale Robinson and then was forced to throw it away on second down. He took one final shot on a deep ball to Jalin Hyatt, who was doubled, and Amani Oruwariye intercepted the Jones pass to end the game.
Keep checking back for updates throughout the day.
Giants defense gets another stop. Here comes Brandon Aubrey for a 40-yard field goal and he nails it. The Giants will take possession with a chance to make a statement. Trevon Diggs went to the locker room on the previous possession with dehydration, and if he's not on the field, the Giants need to push the issue. Malik Nabers has 11 catches for 111 yards, but Daniel Jones has missed a few chances. Still, Jones is 26-of-31 for 268 yards.
The Giants are not going to win this game if they don't get in the end zone.
The Giants keep settling for field goals and, while it's keeping them in the game, sooner or later they're going to have to roll the dice and try to get in the end zone. Greg Joseph's fifth field goal pulled them within two.
Game of momentum. The Giants had what they wanted on third down - Malik Nabers in space against a linebacker - but Daniel Jones was behind him. That was enough to stop Nabers' movement. Giants settled for a field goal.
On the next series, the Cowboys went for it on fourth and short in their own territory. Kayvon Thibodeaux had a chance at stopping fullback Hunter Luepke in the backfield, but stumbled and Luepke rumbled six yards for the first down.
The very next play, Dak Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for a 55-yard touchdown and a 14-6 lead.
The Cowboys are on top after Rico Dowdle's touchdown reception from Dak Prescott. There was shaky tackling on the play by the Giants, but also a questionable decision for the officials to pick up not one but two flags on the play.
That followed a disputed call on the Giants' first drive when a facemask was whistled on Daniel Bellinger when it was apparent on replay that the defender was the one who had grabbed Bellinger's facemask, not the other way around.
Good start by the Giants forcing a three and out. Then the Giants caught Travon Diggs not traveling with Malik Nabers, who dusted cornerback Andrew Booth with a double move for a 39-yard catch and run from Daniel Jones.
The Giants' drive stalled, though, following what appeared to be an incorrect facemask call against tight end Daniel Bellinger downfield. The Cowboys' defender, DeMarvion Overshown, had Bellinger's facemask, but officials called the penalty against Bellinger.
Daniel Jones is 1-7 in his career against the Cowboys. He's also won just once in 13 career prime time starts. Obviously, if the Giants are to pull the upset Thursday night, they're going to need a solid performance from Jones. Expect Brian Daboll to use Jones as a runner to test the Cowboys' aggressiveness on the edges.
Giants-Cowboys usually brings out the celebrities.
Two years ago on Thanksgiving, noted Giants fans and North Jersey's own, the Jonas Brothers, played halftime.
On Thursday night, as Giants co-owner John Mara talked with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his son Stephen, Post Malone stood a few feet away posing for photos while wearing a Cowboys jersey to honor kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Also in attendance: Olympic gold medalist and Dunellen native Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
GIANTS
- QB Tommy DeVito (emergency 3rd QB)
- CB Dru Phillips
- CB Adoree' Jackson
- OL Jake Kubas
- S Anthony Johnson
- OLB Boogie Basham
- OLB Benton Whitley
COWBOYS
- QB Trey Lance (emergency 3rd QB)
- S Markquese Bell
- CB Caelen Carson
- T Matt Waletzko
- WR Ryan Flournoy
- TE John Stephens
- DE Tyrus Wheat
As soon as cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree' Jackson left Sunday's game in Cleveland with calf injuries, unless there was some sort of misdiagnosis, their availability for Thursday night was in serious doubt. That was made official when the Giants declared Phillips and Jackson out for the game against the Cowboys.
CB Nick McCloud (knee) should return after missing two games, but the Giants are going to be tested in the slot by Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb. Giants WR Darius Slayton (thumb) is listed as questionable. He returned to the game against the Browns, so there is some optimism that he will be able to play. If not, the Giants could elevate Isaiah Hodgins from the practice squad.
The Cowboys will likely be without starting CB Caelen Carson and safety Markquese Bell, and star corner Travon Diggs has been dealing with a foot injury, so even though he does not have an official designation, that's one to keep an eye on.
NY Giants vs Cowboys time today
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 26
- Time: 8:15 p.m.
- Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
What channel is NY Giants vs Cowboys game on today?
- TV: Amazon Prime Video; (FOX in New York)
Watch Giants vs. Cowboys live on Prime Video
Streaming options for the game include FUBO , which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
NY Giants vs Cowboys history
- Series record: Cowboys lead, 75-47-2
- Giants' last win: Jan. 3, 2021 (23-19)
- Cowboys' last win : Nov 12, 2023 (49-17)
NY Giants vs Cowboys prediction
The pick: Cowboys 23, Giants 17
Here's why: The Cowboys swept the season series with the Giants last season by handing down two embarrassing beatings by a combined score of 89-17. There is an emotional aspect to this, and it will be interesting to see just how many Cowboys fans flood MetLife despite a two-game losing streak. In the end, until the Giants show they can beat Prescott, it’s difficult to go against Dallas in this rivalry. Big Blue has lost six consecutive games to the Cowboys and 13 of 14 with the only win over Prescott going back to when Ben McAdoo was the head coach in 2016, Prescott's rookie year.
NY Giants vs Cowboys betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM :
- Spread: Cowboys by 5.5
- Over/under : 45
Buy Giants tickets this season
NY Giants vs Cowboys weather update
Overcast with possible rain showers. Low of 64 degrees. Chance of rain 60 percent.
NY Giants 2024 schedule
- Sept. 8 vs. Vikings, L 28-6
- Sept. 15 at Commanders, L 21-18
- Sept. 22 at Browns, W 21-15
- Sept. 26 vs. Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
- Oct. 6 at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
- Oct. 13 vs. Bengals, 8:20 p.m.
- Oct. 20 vs. Eagles, 1 p.m.
- Oct. 28 at Steelers, 8:15 p.m.
- Nov. 3 vs. Commanders, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 10 vs. Panthers (in Germany), 9:30 a.m.
- Nov. 24 vs. Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
- Nov. 28 at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m.
- Dec. 8 vs. Saints, 1 p.m.
- Dec. 15 vs. Ravens, 1 p.m.
- Dec. 22 at Falcons, 1 p.m.
- Week 17 TBD vs. Colts
- Week 18 TBD at Eagles
- WEEK 18 · TBD
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Cowboys 20, NY Giants 15: Settling for field goals costly in another loss to Dallas
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