Coming off their first win of the 2024 season, the New York Giants host the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, fresh off their second straight home loss.
The Cowboys are looking to avoid falling to 1-3 for the first time since 2010. For the Giants, they look to defend their home better than the last time Dallas came to town, a 40-0 blowout loss in the 2023 season opener.
Both teams have shown they have their strengths, but not without showing their flaws as well. The Giants are starting to discover their new identity as Malik Nabers becomes the new focal point of the Giants offense. But what do both of these teams need to do to avoid falling to 1-3?
Four keys to the Cowboys at Giants on “Thursday Night Football”
Keep Feeding Malik Nabers
Nabers has been a breath of fresh air for the Giants at wide receiver through three weeks. Nabers ranks fifth in the NFL in receiving yards (271) and second in receptions (23) while hauling in three scores. The last time the Giants had this dynamic of a receiver was in 2016 with Odell Beckham Jr., but Nabers’ jump-ball ability sets him into a different category compared to Beckham.
Most of Nabers’ success has been due to his astronomical target share. Through three weeks, Nabers has seen 37.8 percent of the Giants’ targets, and that’s expected to continue. Daniel Jones loves Nabers and finally has an explosive receiver who can go up and catch any 50-50 ball. Expect that chemistry to continue to grow Thursday night in Nabers’ first prime-time appearance.
Take advantage of the Cowboys run defense
Last week, Derrick Henry made the Cowboys defense look silly at home, totaling 151 rushing yards and two scores. When Dallas faced New Orleans in Week 2, Alvin Kamara tacked on 180 total yards with four touchdowns.
Devin Singletary isn’t the same caliber of running back as guys like Kamara and Henry, but regardless of that, he should see success on the ground Thursday night. Dallas is allowing opposing running backs to rush for an average of 185.7 yards per game.
Singletary has been successful for the Giants so far, rushing for 65.6 yards a game and finding the end zone twice. Singletary should continue that success Thursday night, taking advantage of a weak run defense.
Cowboys must find success in the red zone
Through three weeks, Dallas has been one of the worst teams in the NFL when it comes to the red zone. It has visited the red zone eight times, scoring four times, three of which were desperation touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens last week. Dallas has not been able to consistently find success in the red zone across all 60 minutes.
All season, the team has relied on Brandon Aubrey to save it (10-of-10 in field goals). If the Cowboys are serious contenders in the NFC, they need to be much better in the red zone. They have had success against the Giants, averaging 32.6 points per game against Big Blue since 2020, winning all appearances at MetLife Stadium in that time.
Cowboys need to start showing improvements in the run game
Dallas has shown this year that its once prominent rushing attack may be a thing of the past. Its 73.7 yards per game ranks third worst in the NFL, while it has only found the end zone twice on the ground.
Ezekiel Elliott is not the same running back he was during his first stint with the Cowboys, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry, while his partner, Rico Dowdle, isn’t providing much more at 3.8 yards a carry. Without a comparable rushing attack, Dallas’ pass-heavy offense may become easier to predict and, therefore, easier to defend.
The Giants are a familiar team and are allowing the 10th-most rushing yards per game at 131.7, giving either Dowdle or Elliott a chance to take a prominent role in this offense.
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