Dak Prescott's possession of Giants helps Cowboys snap dropping skid, however Dallas nonetheless has greater issues forward

The sky was falling for the Dallas Cowboys by means of the primary three weeks of the 2024 season following consecutive house losses by which they had been run over by the New Orleans Saints (44-19) and the Baltimore Ravens (28-25).

Dallas stemmed the tide, at the very least for every week in Week 4, by persevering with their long-running domination of the New York Giants in a 20-15 victory on “Thursday Night time Soccer.” That evened out their 2024 document to 2-2, conserving their postseason hopes alive for one more week. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is now victorious over his NFC East rival for his thirteenth consecutive begin, which is tied for the second-longest profitable streak by a quarterback versus a single opponent since at the very least 1950 with San Francisco 49ers Corridor of Famer Steve Younger (13 wins in a row in opposition to the Rams) and the GOAT Tom Brady (13 wins in a row in opposition to the Bills). Solely Miami Dolphins Corridor of Famer Bob Griese has an extended streak of wins in opposition to a single squad with 17 wins in a row in opposition to the Payments. 

Prescott let it rip Thursday evening, throwing correct lasers from begin to end. He concluded his evening with an environment friendly 221 yards on 22 of 21 passing, together with a 15-yard landing move on a display to working again Rico Dowdle and a 55-yard catch-and-run rating to All-Professional broad receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys took an early 14-6 lead early within the second quarter following the Lamb rating earlier than padding their lead with discipline targets of 60 yards and 40 yards from 2023 First-Crew All-Professional Brandon Aubrey. Nonetheless, Aubrey did miss the primary 50-yard-or-deeper discipline objective of his profession, lacking from 51 yards with 32 seconds left to play. He’s now 16 of 17 from 50-plus yards, and his streak of 16 in a row to start his NFL profession is the longest such streak in league historical past.

Lamb lived up to his claim of that he would rebound every week after taking full accountability for his poor play and sideline outburst within the Week 3 loss in opposition to the Ravens. He totaled 98 yards on seven catches, together with his 55-yard landing catch within the second quarter by which he bobbed and weaved by means of the Giants’ secondary like he was driving by means of Tri State space site visitors.

Defensively, Week 4 was a put up or shut up second for the Cowboys protection. Per week in the past, Dallas surrendered probably the most speeding yards in a recreation this season (274) in its house loss in opposition to the Ravens, a recreation that was by no means as shut as the ultimate rating indicated. 4-time Professional Bowl defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence mentioned Dallas wanted to “get out of playing little league football.” Three-time All-Professional edge rusher Micah Parsons mentioned “we don’t need any Supermans at all. We simply want 11 guys enjoying collectively. Proper now, it is simply not in unison.” Veteran cornerback Jourdan Lewis mentioned the Cowboys protection must “be credible, f—ing accountable each single play.” 

Dallas entered Week 4 rating lifeless final within the league in speeding yards per recreation allowed (185.7) and yards per carry allowed (5.4). 

They answered the decision on Thursday evening, permitting a meager 26 speeding yards on 24 carries. That determine marked the Cowboys’ fewest yards per carry allowed (1.08) in a recreation when dealing with 20 or extra carries in franchise historical past, per CBS Sports activities Analysis. Dallas second-year defensive deal with Mazi Smith, the crew’s 2023 first-round choose, seemed like a participant worthy of his draft spot, clogging rush lanes all recreation lengthy. Cowboys backup nook Amani Oruwariye hauled in a game-sealing interception with 15 seconds left to play simply 4 yards in entrance of the top zone. That is a important play made on an evening by which Dallas was with out 2023 interceptions chief DaRon Bland (stress fracture in foot) and fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson (shoulder), who had been beginning in Bland’s place. 

Greater issues forward

The Cowboys are strolling wounded after Week 4. They misplaced each of their Professional Bowl edge rushers in Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) within the second half Thursday evening. Lawrence was seen getting his foot labored on and taped on the sidelines, however he didn’t return to motion after departing within the third quarter. Lawrence told The Athletic that he’s in ache however going to be high quality. Parsons informed Prescott, via The Athletic, “I will be good” with regard to his ankle. The Prime Video postgame present mentioned Parsons had an X-Ray achieved, and the outcomes had been unfavourable. He’ll get an MRI when the crew returns to Texas, per NFL Media. 

Dallas’ run protection put forth a historic efficiency in Week 4, nevertheless it’s loads simpler to try this when a crew would not concern the opposing quarterback. It is clear the Cowboys aren’t afraid of Daniel Jones since New York hasn’t scored a landing in every of his final 4 house begins. The Giants’ speeding offense, however, nonetheless struggled Thursday evening, speeding for 80 yards on 23 carries, for a yards-per-carry common of three.5 yards. 

The Cowboys’ 75.3 rushing-yards-per-game common ranks because the third worst within the NFL this season, and their 3.5 yards per carry total stand because the fourth worst within the league so far in 2024. Lamb, a large receiver, has their longest rush of the season: 12 yards. Operating again Rico Dowdle has a 10-yard rush with Ezekiel Elliott’s 9-yard rush rating because the third-longest Cowboys rush this season. 

Their subsequent two video games previous to their Week 7 bye will present a lot harder challenges than what they confronted Thursday in opposition to the Giants. Dallas will hit the street in 10 days to face the at the moment 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers on the street in prime time for “Sunday Night time Soccer” in Week 5, and they’re going to then return house to host the at the moment 2-1 Detroit Lions, the 2023 NFC runner-up, in Week 6. Detroit will probably be thirsty for revenge after losing controversially in Dallas on the tail finish of the 2023 common season. Can the Cowboys showcase constant enchancment on the bottom on each side of the ball past Thursday evening? We’ll have a a lot better image of what the 2024 Cowboys are beginning 10 days from now.