Here's the score for the Giants' 20-15 loss to the Cowboys on Thursday night:
offense
If you don't score a touchdown, you can't win the game.
Although they held the ball for more than 35 minutes, they were only 5-of-16 on third-down conversions and 0-of-2 in the red zone.
Daniel Jones (29-of-40, 218 yards) targeted Malik Nabors (12-115), Wan'Dale Robinson (11-71), and Darius Slayton (3-56) almost accurately, but not enough on the field. There wasn't.
Jones was hampered by a brutal rushing attack (24 attempts, 26 yards, 1.1 yard average) with Devin Singletary (14-24) going nowhere.
Nabors was out with a concussion, but it was tough to watch.
RT Jermaine Elemunor was called for a downfield penalty for illegal player.
TE Chris Manhertz was called for a costly holding penalty on the first play of the fourth quarter to negate a first down.
Grade: C
defense
Only one big play was allowed, but it was a costly one: a 55-yard TD by CeeDee Lamb over Deonte Banks.
The Rams (7-98) were otherwise held in check.
Dak Prescott (22 of 27, 221 yards, 2 TDs) was as accurate as ever.
Rico Doodle (11-46) and Ezekiel Elliott (5-19) have not played much.
Kayvon Thibodeau failed to trip Hunter Luepke on first down in Dallas.
Thibodeau then got the Giants' only sack, dropping Prescott for an 8-yard loss late in the first half.
Brian Burns was tackled by Lamb for a loss in the third quarter.
CB Cordale Flott started on the perimeter and had some good moments, but he was still taken down too often.
They did a good job of holding Dallas to 3-of-10 on third down, and they should be able to win a lot by allowing just 20 points.
Prescott only had three hits, but that wasn't enough.
Grade: B
special teams
In his second game with his new team, Greg Joseph was much better, going 5-of-5 from the field, including a 52-yard gain in the first quarter.
Rookie Tyrone Tracy choked and fumbled on the opening kickoff of the second half, but was bailed out when teammate Chris Manhertz recovered.
The Cowboys won the battle for field position, with kicker Brandon Aubrey scoring the ball near the goal line each time.
Ihimir Smith-Marsette made a nifty 22-yard punt return.
Jamie Gillan punted just once, 44 yards to the Dallas 18-yard line. Grade: B.
coaching
Brian Daboll opted to go for another field goal rather than a touchdown from the Dallas 3-yard line on the first series of the third quarter.
Daboll bravely went for a fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter and got a first down.
He couldn't find a way to advance his running game.
Shane Bowen's defense did not put enough pressure on Prescott.
A turnover was needed, but the Giants never got close.
Grade: B
