Key Takeaways from the Giants’ 34-17 Victory over the Cowboys

1. John Mara’s appearance on the field following the game served as a poignant reminder of the financial burden of cancer treatment. The 71-year-old, accompanied by numerous family members, celebrated in the locker room after the win. Interim head coach Mike Kafka handed Mara the game ball, reminiscent of his late father Wellington’s love for defeating the Cowboys. Mara has been known for his sharp quips, like his famous remark to Dallas owner Jerry Jones in 1996 about humility. Post-game, Mara expressed joy over the victory, with tight end Daniel Bellinger noting, “He’s jogging and going to therapy now because of this win.” The 2025 season may be a lost cause, but insights about Mara’s resilient spirit flooded the locker room, with Bellinger adding, “He’s got to be the toughest guy in the locker room.” It felt good to see him with that game ball in hand.

2. MetLife Stadium had its fair share of empty gray seats, but the usual Cowboys fans still made their presence felt. Interestingly, this wasn’t the usual Cowboys takeover since they’d been knocked out of playoff contention weeks prior. The stakes weren’t incredibly high, yet the emotions ran deep. For the Giants and their fans, defeating the Cowboys resonates on a different level, even for those who might be focused on the 2026 draft picks. Historically, the rivalry had seen the Cowboys dominate, with nine straight wins since 2016, and Dak Prescott having a perfect record against the Giants. “It’s crazy,” remarked Jackson Dart, who felt good about breaking that streak. The fact that the Cowboys ended with a losing record (7-9-1) was a bit satisfying for those associated with the Giants.

3. Amid all the chaos regarding kickers this season, could the Giants have finally found their solution? Rookie Ben Sauls, who joined the team in early November, has gone a perfect 8-for-8 in field goals, making him the first left-footed player in the NFL since Sebastian Janikowski back in 2018. He was 4-for-4 against the Cowboys, creating a sense of optimism. After a frustrating search involving Graham Gano and others in 2025, perhaps the 24-year-old, hailing from the University of Pittsburgh and Tipp City, Ohio, is the long-awaited answer. He certainly deserves a shot in 2026.