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The Dallas Cowboys take on the Giants in New York to solidify their playoff standing Sunday. The Cowboys lead the all time series 65-46-2, and the Cowboys have won 3 straight including a 20-13 win earlier this season.
The Cowboys survived a Buccaneers comeback last week to win 27-20. In week 14, they beat the Eagles 29-23, and in week 15 they were blanked 23-0 by the Colts
The Giants lost a close game to the Colts 28-27 last week. In week 14, they beat the Redskins 40-16, and in week 15 they were shut out 17-0 by the Titans.
The folks at GTBets has the Cowboys as 7 point favourites and the O/U is yet to be posted.
Dallas Cowboys
(9-6 overall, 2-5 on the road)
The Cowboys offense has gotten the job done for the most part outside of their 23-0 loss to the Colts. Dak Prescott has been decent, throwing for 3497 yards, 18 TDs, and 8 INTs while completing 68.3% of his passes and averaging 7.3 YPA. Amari Cooper has taken over as their top target since coming over from the Raiders, catching 48 balls for 693 yards and 6 TDs in 8 games. Cole Beasley (59/578/2) and Ezekiel Elliott (77/567/3) are heavily targeted as well. Elliott also leads the way on the ground, rushing 304 times for 1435 yards and 6 TDs, while Prescott is also used on the ground with 305 yards and 6 TDs on 71 carries.
The Cowboys defense ranks top 5 in scoring, allowing 19.3 PPG. Their pass defense is just inside the top 10, allowing 230.5 yards per game and 20 TDs through the air while their pass rush ranks middle of the pack with 38 sacks. Their run defense ranks top 5, allowing 91.3 yards per game and 10 TDs on the ground. Their defense has forced just 18 turnovers, but they own a +2 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
DT Tyrone Crawford (neck) – placed on IR, DT David Irving (ankle) – questionable, CB Anthony Brown (back) – questionable
New York Giants
(5-10 overall, 2-5 at home)
The Giants offense has suffered from inconsistency, mostly from the quarterback position. Eli Manning has thrown for 3998 yards, 19 TDs, and 10 INTs while completing 66.5% of his passes and averaging 7.5 YPA. It is still unknown whether Odell Beckham will play, but their offense suffers without his 77 catches for 1052 yards and 6 TDs. Sterling Shepard (62/805/4), Evan Engram (40/496/2), and Saquon Barkley (87/688/4) are heavily involved as well. Barkley also spearheads their run game with 1198 yards and 10 TDs on 244 carries.
The Giants scoring defense ranks well below average, allowing 25.1 PPG. Their pass defense ranks just below average allowing 245.1 yards per game and 20 TDs through the air while their pass rush ranks 2nd to last with 26 sacks. Their run defense ranks below average allowing 123.1 yards per game and 17 TDs on the ground. Their defense has forced 20 turnovers, and they own a +3 turnover differential.
Injuries and Inactive Watch
WR Odell Beckham Jr. (quad) – questionable, LB Alec Ogletree (concussion) – questionable, EDGE Kerry Wynn (thumb) – questionable
Predictions
The Cowboys offense should fare better against the Giants this time around with Amari Cooper at their disposal. Janoris Jenkins is a solid corner, but any time Cooper is left with man to man single coverage he should draw a target. Zeke has been a bit slow the past couple weeks, and this should be a nice spot for him to get back on track as the Cowboys head into the postseason. Dak should also be fairly comfortable against the Giants as they mostly lack a pass rush.
The Giants offense is a different animal with Odell at their disposal. Without him it’s the Saquon Barkley show, however the Cowboys have 2 excellent sideline to sideline linebackers to neutralize him. Outside of Barkley, no one really scares defenses. And to boot, Eli Manning is not the same quarterback he once was and should struggle against a talented Dallas secondary and pass rush. If Beckham doesn’t play, feel confident in taking the Cowboys by a score.
Final Pick: Cowboys (-7)
