The Cowboys needed a win Sunday night to secure their first postseason bye since 2007.
The Giants foiled the potential playoff accomplishment, earning a ‘W’ for the second time this season and completing the season sweep against Dallas by a score of 10-7. New York has averaged a four point victorymargin in both victories. In a strange twist of fate, NYG is the same team the ‘Boys fell to during their 2007 run.
It was the battle of two defenses – constant pressure allowed only 260 yards on both sides and forced three interceptions each. The Giants only successfully converted 2/14 on third down; the Cowboys 1/15.
Without Jason Pierre-Paul, New York was still sensational, limiting Dallas without a score for the final three quarters. The relentless pass rush constantly applied pressure to quarterback Dak Prescott and hurried him into two interceptions – equaling his total of the past 12 games. The rookie QB endured the statistical worst night of his professional career, completing 17-of-37 passes for 165 yards and one TD.
The Giants rush defense has been stifling all year, ranking third in yards per rush allowed (3.6) and fifth in total yards this year. Ezekiel Elliot managed to improve from his first Giants-Cowboys game numbers (51 yards) and grinded for 107 yards -most after contact- but a suffocating defensive front limited the rookie to only his fourth game without a score. The rest of the team managed a single rushing yard.
The Cowboys amassed a comeback during the fourth quarter, but their winning aspirations were soured when Dez Bryant fumbled the ball away with 2:13 remaining. Credit to corners Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for locking down the Dallas receiver; in the past two meetings with New York, Bryant has only had 18 total yards. The secondary put Bryant in double coverage for most of the game, catching up on Prescotts’ reads and even intercepting a pass intended for Dez.
Bryant attempted some form of redemption with a fourth down grab at the end of regulation, but replay revealed that the ball bounced off the turf, effectively ending the game.
The Giants are currently in good position for a wild card berth at minimum and are a game ahead of a red hot Tampa Bay team that has won five straight, and will take on Dallas next weekend.
