The Dallas Cowboys secured a much-needed 20-15 win over the New York Giants on Thursday night during Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season. Both teams entered the game hungry for a victory after underwhelming performances in prior weeks. For Dallas, it was an opportunity to right the ship after consecutive home losses, while New York sought to build on flashes of improvement. While the final score showed a narrow Cowboys win, the game itself was marked by inefficiencies, penalties, and missed opportunities on both sides. Here’s what we learned from the Cowboys’ gritty yet sloppy victory.
1. Cowboys Grind Out a Crucial Win, But Sloppiness Persists
It wasn’t pretty, but the Dallas Cowboys managed to hold off the Giants in a game filled with mistakes on both sides. After two frustrating home losses, the Cowboys came into Week 4 eager to avoid a third consecutive defeat. Despite a solid start that saw Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb connect early for a touchdown, the Cowboys’ offense struggled to maintain momentum. Penalties were a major issue for Dallas throughout the night, stalling drives and extending Giants possessions.
A prime example was Lamb’s celebration penalty following his touchdown, which set the tone for an undisciplined night. The Cowboys committed multiple penalties on both sides of the ball, including special teams infractions that put the game in jeopardy late. Dallas finished the game with 11 penalties for 90 yards, turning manageable second-and-short situations into difficult third-and-long plays.
Despite the sloppiness, Dallas’ defense, though battered and thin, kept the Giants out of the end zone, holding them to five field goals and a total of 4.7 yards per play. It was a resilient performance for a unit that had been heavily criticized, especially after last week’s disappointing loss.
Brandon Aubrey missed a late field goal, which could have put the game out of reach, but the Cowboys held on, climbing back to 2-2 for the season. While the win was vital, head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized that the team cannot afford to “get overexcited” given the lingering issues that nearly cost them the game.
H2: Penalties Plague Cowboys Offense
Penalties were a significant thorn in Dallas’ side, repeatedly killing drives and forcing the offense into long-yardage situations. With 11 penalties in the game, the Cowboys continually found themselves in third-and-long scenarios, making it difficult to sustain offensive rhythm. One of the most glaring instances came after CeeDee Lamb’s touchdown, when he was penalized for excessive celebration, a move that stalled their momentum.
The Cowboys’ failure to clean up their penalties led to missed opportunities to put the game away earlier. The team finished a miserable 3-for-10 on third downs, underscoring their inability to sustain drives due to self-inflicted wounds. While the team escaped with a win, these issues must be addressed moving forward if Dallas hopes to stay competitive in the NFC.
H3: Defensive Gutsy Effort Carries Cowboys
The Cowboys’ defense stepped up when needed, despite missing key starters. Going into the game, the Cowboys’ run defense had been ranked last in the NFL, but they managed to stuff the Giants’ ground game, holding New York to just 27 rushing yards on 23 attempts.
Caelen Carson, filling in for the injured DaRon Bland, was benched at halftime after struggling against the Giants’ passing attack. His replacement, Amani Oruwariye, made the game-sealing interception, a highlight in what was a gutsy performance by Dallas’ defense. Even with Demarcus Lawrence leaving due to a foot injury and Trevon Diggs dealing with dehydration, the Cowboys held strong, keeping the Giants out of the end zone and limiting them to 15 points, all on field goals.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s unit, criticized in the past two games, responded with an inspired effort, particularly in shutting down the Giants’ rushing attack. Despite missing Lawrence and playing with a makeshift secondary, the defense proved critical in securing the win.
2. Giants’ Missed Opportunities and Daboll’s Questionable Call
On the other side of the ball, the New York Giants will rue missed opportunities and a questionable coaching decision that could have altered the game’s outcome. Trailing 14-9 early in the third quarter, the Giants marched down to the Cowboys’ three-yard line, thanks to a string of productive plays from quarterback Daniel Jones. However, head coach Brian Daboll made the puzzling decision to settle for a field goal rather than attempt to convert on fourth-and-goal.
While Daboll’s conservative call trimmed the Cowboys’ lead to 14-12, it was a head-scratching moment given that the Giants had been able to move the ball effectively on that drive. With over 23 minutes left in the game, it was an opportunity for New York to seize momentum, but settling for three points kept the pressure on the defense, and the Giants would not get any closer to the end zone for the remainder of the game.
H2: Giants’ Offense Falters in Key Moments
Daniel Jones put together a respectable performance, completing 29 of 40 passes for 281 yards, but the Giants were unable to convert in crucial moments. Despite success moving the ball early in the game, the Giants’ offense bogged down in the red zone, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.
Malik Nabers, the standout rookie receiver, was Jones’ primary target, hauling in 12 catches for 115 yards before leaving the game late with a concussion. His absence was keenly felt, as the Giants’ passing attack struggled without him in the closing minutes.
The Giants’ run game was nonexistent, managing only 27 yards on 23 carries. Jones was often forced to carry the offense, and while he played well for most of the game, his fourth-quarter struggles – including an interception on the Giants’ final drive – sealed their fate. With Malik Nabers emerging as a top receiver and Wan’Dale Robinson also contributing, the Giants have some pieces to build around, but they’ll need more offensive balance moving forward.
H3: Daboll’s Conservative Call Criticized
One of the game’s most significant turning points came when the Giants decided to kick a field goal on fourth-and-goal from the Dallas three-yard line early in the third quarter. The decision, made by Brian Daboll, was widely criticized, as the Giants had been moving the ball effectively on that drive.
Instead of attempting to take the lead with a touchdown, Daboll opted for the safe option, cutting the Cowboys’ lead to 14-12. While the field goal technically kept the game close, the Giants would not get another chance to score a touchdown, crossing midfield only once more in their final four drives. Daboll’s decision may have cost the Giants a chance at a statement victory, as New York’s offense stalled for the remainder of the game.
3. Dak Prescott’s Steady Night Guides Cowboys to Victory
For the Cowboys, Dak Prescott delivered an efficient, if unspectacular, performance that helped Dallas play from ahead throughout the game. Prescott finished with 215 yards on 18 of 26 passing and a touchdown, connecting early with CeeDee Lamb to give Dallas a 14-6 lead in the second quarter.
While Prescott avoided major mistakes, the Cowboys’ offense was often held back by penalties, and they struggled on third downs. The run game was inconsistent, with Rico Dowdle and Hunter Luepke providing just enough support to complement Prescott’s passing. Dallas only managed 51 offensive plays, but Prescott’s steady hand and timely completions, especially early in the game, proved to be enough to secure the victory.
H2: Cowboys’ Offensive Challenges Remain
Despite the win, there are concerns surrounding the Cowboys’ offensive execution. Penalties disrupted their rhythm, and the team struggled mightily on third downs, converting just 30% of their attempts. Ezekiel Elliott, playing in a limited role, contributed little in his 10 snaps, as Dallas couldn’t generate a consistent ground game.
Prescott’s early success, particularly in the connection with Lamb, masked some of these issues, but the offense will need to be more efficient moving forward. As the season progresses, the Cowboys will need to address their penalty issues and improve their consistency on third downs if they hope to remain competitive in a tough NFC East division.
Conclusion: A Gritty Win with Room for Improvement
The Cowboys’ 20-15 victory over the Giants was far from perfect, but it was a crucial win that moved them back to .500. Dallas’ defense responded after a rough start to the season, while Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb provided enough offensive firepower to outlast a feisty Giants team. For New York, missed opportunities, including Brian Daboll’s conservative fourth-down decision, will haunt them as they fall to 1-3. Both teams showed flashes of potential, but the Cowboys emerged with the win and plenty of room for improvement heading into the next week.
