The Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season has been a roller-coaster ride, characterized by pivotal victories and challenging losses. The team found themselves in a precarious position after consecutive home defeats in the first three weeks against the New Orleans Saints (44-19) and the Baltimore Ravens (28-25). However, their recent victory against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football," with a score of 20-15, has revived hopes among fans and players alike.
Prescott's Streak Against the Giants
The Cowboys' triumph over the Giants was particularly significant for quarterback Dak Prescott. This win marked his 13th consecutive victory against the Giants, tying the second-longest winning streak by a quarterback versus a single opponent since at least 1950. Prescott displayed commendable precision, completing 22 of his 21 passes for 221 yards. He connected with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivered a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Special Teams Performance
Kicker Brandon Aubrey showcased exceptional skill, making field goals from 60 and 40 yards. However, he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards. Despite this, Aubrey remains impressive, holding a remarkable record of 16 out of 17 from such distances. His consistency has earned him the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
Defensive Adjustments
Defensively, the Cowboys witnessed a stark contrast between their Week 3 performance against the Ravens and their latest game. The defense allowed a staggering 274 rushing yards against Baltimore but managed to restrict the Giants to a mere 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a pivotal role in nullifying the Giants' run game, a performance that highlighted the unit's potential.
Injuries and Resilience
The game wasn't without its setbacks. Both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence faced injuries during the second half. Lawrence's foot injury forced him to the sidelines after the third quarter, while X-ray results for Parsons came back negative, providing some relief to the team. Despite the injuries, Parsons remained optimistic, stating, "I'll be good." DeMarcus Lawrence, vocal about the team's need for cohesiveness, emphasized, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and added, "Get out of playing little league football."
Key Plays and Future Outlook
In a crucial moment, Amani Oruwariye intercepted a pass with just 15 seconds remaining, sealing the Cowboys' victory. Meanwhile, the defense will have to manage without DaRon Bland, who is suffering from a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson, who has a shoulder injury.
On the offensive front, there are glaring areas for improvement. The Cowboys are averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, ranking third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is the fourth-worst in the league. CeeDee Lamb holds the distinction of having the longest rush of the season for the Cowboys at just 12 yards, underlining the team’s struggles in the ground game.
Reflecting on the team's challenges, Micah Parsons succinctly captured the current state, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
With upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys have the opportunity to build on their recent success and address the broader inconsistencies that have marked their season thus far. The path ahead will demand both strategic adjustments and unwavering determination from the entire roster.