MetLife Stadium will be the stage for an intense NFC East rivalry as the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants this Thursday night. The Cowboys have been dominant in recent matchups against the Giants, securing decisive victories with scores of 40-0 and 49-17 just last season. This dominance extends to their current six-game winning streak over the Giants, underscoring their competitive edge in these encounters.
Despite their recent success, Dallas is eager to bounce back from a two-game losing streak. The Cowboys have an even away record of 5-5 since the beginning of 2023, a statistic they'll look to improve as they vie to reclaim their winning form. Notably, Dallas has clinched the NFC East division title in two of the last three seasons, reflecting their strong performance in the division.
Cowboys' Offensive Leaders
Quarterback Dak Prescott has been particularly effective against the Giants throughout his career. In 13 starts, Prescott boasts an impressive career passer rating of 101.6. He's thrown for 3,433 yards and 25 touchdowns with six interceptions, completing 64% of his passes. This season, however, Prescott's numbers show slight dips, with a passer rating of 85.8 and a completion rate of 60.7% for 851 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has also made significant contributions against the Giants. Over six games, Lamb has accumulated 38 receptions for 529 yards and two touchdowns. His performance in the previous season, where he caught 11 passes for 151 yards in their November 12 matchup, highlights his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
The Cowboys' offensive arsenal is further bolstered by rookie Malik Nabers. Nabers leads the team this season with 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. His capability to make big plays is evident from his six receptions of 20 or more yards and 127 yards after the catch, converting 14 of these plays into first downs.
Giants' Performance and Key Players
On the other side, the New York Giants are coming off a 21-15 victory over Cleveland, aiming to leverage that momentum against their familiar foes. However, their home record at MetLife Stadium since the beginning of last season stands at 4-5, a statistic that will need improvement if they are to challenge the Cowboys effectively.
Wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson has been a noteworthy performer for the Giants this season, with 15 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. Robinson's longest reception this season is 20 yards, and he has accumulated 63 yards after the catch. In their latest victory over Cleveland, Robinson made seven catches for 61 yards, providing a glimpse of his potential impact in the passing game.
Betting Insights and Predictions
The Cowboys enter the game as 5.5-point favorites, reflecting their recent dominance and overall stronger form. The over/under for the total points scored in the game is set at 45.5, indicating expectations of a relatively high-scoring affair. Betting projections support this outlook; the model, with a notable track record of well over $7,000 for $100 bettors on top-rated NFL picks, is 188-130 on such picks, including a remarkable 42-22 streak since Week 7 of the 2022 season.
Thursday night's clash promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams have clear motivations and key players poised to make significant impacts. For the Cowboys, maintaining their recent dominance and addressing their road performance inconsistencies will be crucial. In contrast, the Giants will aim to harness their recent victory and improve their home record in their quest for a pivotal win over an established rival.