A look ahead to Sunday’s NFL Week 18 matchup between the Giants and Cowboys at MetLife Stadium:
Key Matchup
Cowboys Passing Attack vs. Giants Passing Defense
This matchup might raise some eyebrows, to say the least.
The Cowboys boast one of the strongest passing offenses in the league and rank fourth in scoring overall.
In contrast, the Giants come in with the 20th-ranked passing defense and are 26th in scoring defense.
Dak Prescott is leading the pack with 4,482 passing yards, throwing to standout receivers like George Pickens (92 catches, 1,420 yards) and CeeDee Lamb (74 catches, 1,073 yards).
On the other side, the Giants are relying on Paulson Adebo and Deonte Banks as their starting cornerbacks, while Cordale Flott is sidelined with a knee issue.
Looking Back
Awhile Ago: Back in Week 2, Jackson Dart was just a backup who managed only three snaps during his NFL debut. He mostly watched as starter Russell Wilson threw for an impressive 450 yards in a nail-biting 40-37 overtime loss to Dallas.
“That feels like ages ago,” Dart reflected on that experience. Now, as his rookie season wraps up, he’s in charge of the offensive line for this rematch. “I just want to keep playing,” he added. “I love the game and wish it wouldn’t have to end. Watching other teams play while we’re on break is tough.”
Defensive Woes: One major issue for the Cowboys is their struggling defense.
In their last four games, they’ve allowed a touchdown or a field goal attempt 75% of the time during defensive drives. During this stretch, their opponents, despite their own struggles, have a record of just 31 wins and 32 losses. In Week 2, the Giants took advantage of the Cowboys’ weak defense, racking up 506 total yards. Currently, the Cowboys give up an alarming 29.8 points per game, putting them at the bottom of the league.
Adjusting Midseason: It’s a tricky situation for an interim head coach who steps in during the season. There’s only so much he can overhaul. While he can make minor tweaks, a complete overhaul isn’t feasible.
Mike Kafka is currently 1-5 after over ten games, with one remaining. Had he had a full training camp, perhaps his impact would have been more significant.
“Looking at this role, there are certainly plans and ideas on how to manage various situations and players throughout the week, and I’ve been trying to follow through,” Kafka expressed. “We’re not trying to change things just to change them; it’s all about intention.”
Dominance on the Field: Who really rules when it comes to the New York Giants?
Business-wise, the Mara and Tisch families co-own the team, but on the field, it’s Dak Prescott who runs the show. As a rookie in 2016, Prescott lost twice to the Giants but has since gone on to win 14 straight against them, a remarkable feat in NFL history — second only to Bob Griese’s streak against the Bills.
End-of-Season Motivation
Week 18 often raises questions about a team’s motivation, especially for one that’s already out of playoff contention.
The Cowboys are a scoring machine and have proved their dominance with nine consecutive wins against the Giants. It doesn’t seem too difficult to imagine them securing a 10th victory in front of mostly Dallas fans at a half-filled MetLife Stadium.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 13
