MetLife Stadium is set to host a classic NFC East showdown this Thursday night, featuring the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. Both teams enter this clash with varying degrees of recent success and aspirations to make pivotal statements in the season.
Cowboys' Dominance
The Cowboys have maintained a stranglehold over the Giants in recent years, recording emphatic victories with scores of 40-0 and 49-17 last season. Dallas is currently on a six-game winning streak against New York, underscoring their recent dominance in this rivalry.
This dominance extends beyond single games, as the Cowboys have clinched the NFC East division title in two of the last three seasons. However, Dallas is keen to break a concerning trend of their own as they aim to snap a two-game losing streak. Their away performance has been middling at 5-5 since the beginning of 2023, highlighting some inconsistencies when playing outside their home turf.
Giants Eyeing a Comeback
The Giants, on the other hand, have struggled at home, holding a 4-5 record at MetLife Stadium since the start of last season. Despite these challenges, the team is coming off a morale-boosting 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, kindling hopes of a stronger performance against Dallas.
The last time the Giants defeated the Cowboys at home was back in 2020, with a narrow 23-19 win. Achieving a similar result this time would be a significant boost for the Giants, who are eager to turn the tide in this competitive matchup.
Key Players to Watch
Dak Prescott has been a consistent thorn in the Giants' side throughout his career, boasting a career passer rating of 101.6 in 13 starts against New York. Prescott has completed 64% of his passes for 3,433 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just six interceptions against the Giants. Although this season, Prescott's stats have dipped slightly with a passer rating of 85.8, completing 60.7% of his attempts for 851 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
CeeDee Lamb has also been a standout performer against the Giants. In six games, Lamb has amassed 38 receptions for 529 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, in their game last November, Lamb caught 11 passes for 151 yards, showcasing his ability to make critical plays.
Rookie Malik Nabers has emerged as a key contributor for the Cowboys this season. Nabers leads the team with 23 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He has demonstrated a knack for making big plays, with six receptions of 20 or more yards and 127 yards after the catch, converting 14 first downs in the process.
For the Giants, Wan'Dale Robinson has been a reliable target. This season, Robinson has 15 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. His longest reception is 20 yards, with 63 yards coming after the catch. In their recent win over Cleveland, Robinson caught seven passes for 61 yards, proving his capability to make significant contributions.
Betting Insights
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 highly competitive and potentially high-scoring affair.
Remarkably, the betting model underscores the reliability of investing in top-rated NFL picks, with a track record of well over $7,000 for $100 bettors. The model has been particularly impressive since Week 7 of the 2022 season, recording a 42-22 streak and an overall mark of 188-130 on top-rated NFL picks.
As the Cowboys and Giants gear up for this much-anticipated clash, all eyes will be on how both teams perform under the Thursday night lights. For Dallas, it's a chance to reassert their dominance and get back on the winning track, while for New York, it's an opportunity to reclaim pride and turn the tide in front of their home crowd.