EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ- The Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 36-35 on the road at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys had already clinched the divisional title of the NFC East headed into playoffs prior to the matchup, and today they made the statement/gained the momentum the team was desperately seeking on the offensive side of the ball. The team played the majority of its starters throughout the game except for Ezekiel Elliott, Zack Martin, and Tyron Smith who have all battled injuries. The coaching staff made the decision to rest them this week in preparation for playoffs, making the victory even more impressive.
The Giants got off to a fast start offensively marching down the field due to Saquon Barkley breaking tackles and gaining yardage, but Chido Awuzie killed their opening drive with an interception in the end zone. Kris Richard and Rod Marinelli have done a fantastic job co-existing with coaching on defense for Dallas, and the fruition of their efforts quickly showed up in this game. DeMarcus Lawrence sacked Eli Manning and Antwaun Woods recovered the fumble. The Cowboys were not able to capitalize on Manning’s second pick, and had to settle for a 34-yard field goal attempt by Brett Maher, which he missed.
The two teams entered the second half scoreless, and it seemed the red zone woes would continue for Dallas. The Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley had a resurgent performance in tonight’s game, a player who had been fairly quiet since the Amari Cooper trade, along with tight end Blake Jarwin, who had a monstrous impact in the red zone. Beasley’s connection with Prescott on a short option route on first down, put the Cowboys in the red zone and set up the touchdown play. Blake Jarwin ran a perfect route in zone coverage and Prescott threw a 13-yard bullet to wide-open Jarwin in the end zone. Deep passes to Gallup (13 yards), Beasley (18 yards), and Jarwin (10 Yards), on the following possession for the Cowboys led to the second career TD by Blake Jarwin. The Giants defense blitzed, but Jarwin got open in the end zone and Dak delivered another bomb to Jarwin for 19 yards, to put the Cowboys up 14-0. Jarwin put the red zone issues to rest. The Cowboys got the tight end more involved and it paid off in a big way.
Things kept rolling for the trio in the third quarter. At fourth and two, Dallas went for it and Prescott found Beasley on an 11-yard gain to keep the drive alive. A few plays later, Prescott scrambled as he was forced out of the pocket and threw the ball to Jarwin, who was able to get out of coverage for 39-yard TD pass.
Prescott did well against the Giants pass rush moves, specifically by Cam Fleming, but Oliver Vernon recorded 2.5 sacks on Dak and made it hard for him to step into the pocket and release the football. Vernon’s ability combined with Barkley’s immortal catches and power to fight through defenders to gain yardage, was not enough to stop the Dallas Cowboys.
In the fourth, Allen Hurns saw Dak in trouble, changed his route, and came into Prescott’s sight line for the 49-yard pass connection. The Cowboys capitalized with Rod Smith’s one-yard rush into the end zone for the TD to put the Cowboys up 28-25. The Giants quickly responded with a score, after Cody Latimer’s incredible one-handed catch on fourth and one, winning his route in the slot for a gain of 31-yards on the play. Barkley leapt from the three-yard line on the next play reaching his arm across the plane for the TD, bringing the score to 32-28 with the Giants in the lead. The Giants extended the lead with a 38-yard FG by Rosas to put them up 35-28 over the Cowboys, but America’s Team never gave up.
In the shotgun, Prescott passed the ball deep to Jarwin for 30-yards to give the team a first down and help move the chains. Cole Beasley caught an incredible 32-yard pass from Prescott in the end zone and managed to get his knee down in bounds for the touchdown. Prescott’s pass to Gallup on the two-point conversion was a success to bring the score to 36-35 with 1:12 left on the clock. Anthony Brown broke up a pass intended for Latimer on the Giants final possession to seal the victory for the Cowboys!
An incredible performance by the Dallas Cowboys to conclude the 2018 regular season. The team went from being 3-5 to finishing 10-6 winning the division. A huge testament to their loyalty and respect for head coach Jason Garrett. They played their hearts out for him this season when most people discarded them.
Following the game Prescott stated, “ This game showed the character of this team. “
Prescott finished 27 of 44 for 387 yards and four touchdowns. Jarwin finished with seven receptions for 119 yards, a 17.0 average, and three touchdowns. Beasley amassed six receptions for 94 yards, a 15.7 average, and a touchdown. The trio made the difference tonight for the Silver and Blue.
