When an edge rusher can't beat the opposing quarterback, there are a variety of explanations that sometimes turn into excuses.
But no one can deny this: it's impossible to get a sack when the opposing team isn't throwing the ball.
In their past two games (both losses at home), the Cowboys faced teams content to get dominated, with the Saints and Ravens allowing just 31 combined pass attempts.
This explains why Micah Parsons, a talented pass rusher, has only recorded one sack through the first three games.
Don’t get me wrong, the guy is still a major threat and the Giants must and will have a plan for him on Thursday night.
Parsons' 40.5 sacks are the fifth-most in league history through a player's first three seasons, and only Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Nick Bosa and Trey Hendrickson have more sacks in that span.
“Yeah, he's a dynamic player,” coach Brian Daboll said. “He plays a lot of different positions. Really, he's capable of playing any position. He's explosive, he's athletic, he's tough. He's a hell of a football player. He's one of the better players in the league. He's tough to block.”
That challenge will be prevalent among the Giants' offensive linemen.
Parsons moves from the right to the left side of the defensive line to reduce the number of “tip” blocks he faces on the wing, but also moves inside to find the most favorable matchup.
“I want to look at it a little bit differently,” Parsons said. “I just want to test everybody's rhythm. I just want to test the pot. I want to see which guys I can manipulate. I feel like I can manipulate them.”
Left tackle Andrew Thomas called last week's win at Cleveland “bittersweet” after struggling against Garrett, coming off a tough game by his lofty standards.
Now he's gone from trying to contain one fire to trying to put out another.
The Giants will be without two cornerbacks, Adore Jackson and rookie Jrue Phillips, who both left the win over the Browns with calf injuries.
That makes the return of Nick McCloud even more important after missing the past two games with a knee injury, as McCloud will likely start on the perimeter, moving Cordère Flott to the inside slot.
WR Darius Slayton (thumb) is questionable, and his minutes being limited could give Jalin Hyatt more playing time.
Through three games, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence leads the Giants in sacks with three, not Brian Barnes or Kayvon Thibodeau.
This isn't too surprising, as Lawrence is the best player on the team.
In fact, Lawrence shared the team's lead in sacks with safety Jason Pinnock, who was deployed as a blitzer, recording three. Who would have expected that?
“I would have believed it,” Pinnock said of sharing the sack lead with the 340-pound Lawrence, “but I think everybody else is probably a little shocked.”
LB Ty Summers was added to the active roster. Summers was promoted from the practice squad and played in the first three games as a key special teams player.
Will the Cowboys end up taking over MetLife Stadium?
That may be true.
According to the Vivid Seats Fan Forecast, 39 percent of tickets purchased are projected to be sold to Cowboys fans.
