Thursday night’s clash at MetLife Stadium promises to be a high-stakes NFC East showdown as the Dallas Cowboys visit the New York Giants. This matchup carries significant weight, especially with the Cowboys’ recent dominance and the Giants' quest to reassert themselves in the division.
The Streak and Statistics
The Cowboys head into this game riding a six-game winning streak against the Giants, having decisively beaten them with scores of 40-0 and 49-17 in their last two encounters. Furthermore, Dallas has clinched the NFC East division title in two of the last three seasons. However, the Cowboys are also looking to rebound from a two-game losing streak and improve their 5-5 away record since the beginning of 2023.
On the other hand, the Giants will be eager to capitalize on their recent 21-15 victory over Cleveland and improve their 4-5 home record at MetLife Stadium since the start of last season. Their last home win over the Cowboys was a tight 23-19 contest in 2020, a memory they'll hope to revive.
Quarterback Duel
Quarterback Dak Prescott has been a formidable force against the Giants throughout his career, boasting a career passer rating of 101.6 in 13 starts. He has completed 64% of his passes for 3,433 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions against the Giants. This season, however, Prescott's numbers have dipped slightly with a passer rating of 85.8, completing 60.7% of his attempts for 851 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
For the Giants, Wan'Dale Robinson stands out with 15 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown this season. Robinson had a notable performance in the recent victory over Cleveland, catching seven passes for 61 yards. His 20-yard reception and 63 yards after the catch highlight his potential to make big plays.
Key Players to Watch
CeeDee Lamb has historically performed well against the Giants, with 38 receptions for 529 yards and two touchdowns in six games. In their November 12 game last season, Lamb was particularly effective, hauling in 11 passes for 151 yards. Rookie Malik Nabers has emerged as a crucial player for the Cowboys, leading the team this season with 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Nabers has shown a knack for explosive plays, recording six receptions of 20 or more yards and accumulating 127 yards after the catch with 14 first-down conversions.
Betting Insights
As the teams prepare for this critical matchup, the Cowboys are 5.5-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is set at 45.5, indicating the expectation of a competitive and potentially high-scoring game. Betting models, which have a record of well over $7,000 for $100 bettors on top-rated NFL picks, show a strong preference for Dallas. The model is 188-130 on top-rated NFL picks, including a remarkable 42-22 streak since Week 7 of the 2022 season.
This Thursday night, the spotlight will be on MetLife Stadium as the Cowboys aim to extend their dominance, while the Giants strive to defend their turf and change the narrative of their recent encounters. The outcome could have significant implications for the NFC East standings, making it a must-watch for any football enthusiast.