FRISCO, Texas – Coming off three-straight wins, the Cowboys (3-1) will welcome the Giants (1-3) in an NFC East showdown. Expectations continue to rise for Dallas surrounding an explosive offense powered by Kellen Moore and a defense under Dan Quinn that is leading the league in takeaways. Here are the major storylines for the Cowboys heading into the Sunday afternoon matchup at AT&T Stadium.
- Through four games in 2021, the Cowboys have given up 19 plays of 20-plus yards through the air – second-most in the league. Conversely, the deep ball has been a specialty for Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones. All four of his touchdown passes in 2021 have come on passes of 20-or-more yards. The Cowboys have played more man coverage on the back end under Dan Quinn and being able to limit New York’s vertical attack will be key. In his third year in the league and second in Jason Garrett’s system, Jones is playing the best football of his career. The Giants’ QB1 has notched career-bests in completion percentage (66.7), pass yards per game (296.0), TD-INT ratio (4-1), and passer rating (98.3). In addition, Jones is one of three players in the NFL with 1,000-plus passing yards and 150-plus rushing yards. “On the move- that is something we have to be aware of,” Osa Odighizuwa told D210SPORTS. “His ability to run, very fast guy.” Much of the team’s success on offense has come through a perimeter-based attack, whether it is Jones creating on the move, Saquon Barkley’s elusiveness in space, or Kenny Golladay gaining yards after the catch. The Cowboys’ linebackers will have an important role on Sunday in flexing out wide and covering the flats.
- Sunday will mark the one-year anniversary of Dak Prescott’s gruesome right ankle fracture and dislocation. A bittersweet day. A reminder of the devastating injury but a celebration of Prescott’s remarkable comeback. Against the Giants last season in Week 5 at AT&T Stadium, Prescott’s record-setting start to the season was prematurely cut short after sustaining the ankle injury. The Stadium fell silent as Prescott was carted off but the outpour of love and support he received is a testament to the character of No.4. He is back commanding the huddle in 2021 in impressive fashion. All eyes will be on Prescott as he rallies the team to an attempted fourth straight win.
- To start the 2021 season, the young players on the Cowboys’ defense have been major contributors to the unit’s turnaround under Dan Quinn. Micah Parsons leads all rookies in quarterback pressures with 16 per Pro Football Focus, and Osa Odighizuwa ranks second with 15. Parsons’ rare closing speed and Odighizuwa’s lethal first step in the interior have paid dividends. Both have been relentless in pursuit of the quarterback week-after-week and Chauncey Golston registered his first sack as a pro in his debut against the Panthers. Odighizuwa and Golston were not projected to be immediate impact players, but given injuries sustained along the D-Line and players on the Reserve/COVID list, both have made their mark when given opportunities. In his second year, Trevon Diggs has earned the title “lockdown corner.” He is playing at a sensational level with five interceptions in four games. Diggs becomes only the second Cowboys’ defender in history to accomplish that feat. Diggs has accumulated half of the team’s 10 takeaways and his ball skills/instinctual play have bolstered the Cowboys’ secondary.
- Against the best statistical run defense last week, Ezekiel Elliott plowed his way through tackles for 143 rushing yards and a touchdown- his best numbers since 2018. Dallas registered over 160 yards on the ground for the third-straight week and averaged 7.2 yards-per-carry. A big testament to the offensive line and tight end chips for creating holes and staying on blocks longer to free up the second level. The Cowboys have been able to impose their will on the ground the previous three weeks with the complementary one-two punch of Elliott and Tony Pollard. Patrick Graham’s defense will be put to the test. The Giants currently rank 21st in rushing yards per game allowed (122.8).
