Cowboys vs. Giants the place to observe: NFL kickoff time, stay stream, unfold, odds, prediction for 'TNF' recreation

FRISCO, Texas — It is solely Week 4, however this week’s “Thursday Evening Soccer” matchup between the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) and the New York Giants (1-2) possesses excessive stakes. 

The winner will enhance to 2-2 and have the power to say with a straight face that they nonetheless have all of their objectives in entrance of them in 2024. The loser, then again, will fall to 1-3, final place within the NFC East and may as effectively get began early on their 2025 NFL Draft preparations.   

This matchup these days has been owned by the Cowboys, winners in 13 of the final 14 towards the Giants, together with an ideal 12-0 in quarterback Dak Prescott’s final 12 begins towards the G-Males. That is tied for the fourth-most consecutive wins by a quarterback towards a single opponent since at the least 1950 with the one longer streaks belonging to Miami Dolphins Corridor of Famer Bob Griese (17 wins in a row towards the Bills), San Francisco 49ers Corridor of Famer Steve Younger (13 wins in a row towards the Rams) and the GOAT Tom Brady (13 wins in a row towards the Payments). 

Dak Prescott profession vs. Giants 

* Received 12 consecutive begins (T-fourth-most in a row vs. a single group since at the least 1950)

On the flip aspect, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has been using the wrestle bus of late at MetLife Stadium. He is thrown for zero touchdowns and 6 interceptions in his final three dwelling video games, all losses. 

Let’s break down into Thursday’s matchup and challenge a victor.   

All NFL odds are through SportsLine Consensus.

The place to observe

Date: Thursday, Sept. 26 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Stream: Prime Video
Observe: CBS Sports App   
Odds: Cowboys -5.5; O/U 45.5

When the Cowboys have the ball

Positive, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has spoken about wanting to spice up this group’s speeding makes an attempt up from the 62 they’ve had this season, the third-fewest within the NFL, as a way to set up the run. He additionally needs to see what he has in his operating again by committee of undrafted veteran Rico Dowdle, late profession Ezekiel Elliott and 2023 sixth-round decide Deuce Vaughn. 

Within the small pattern dimension we’ve in 2024, it isn’t fairly. Dallas is averaging 73.7 speeding yards per recreation, the third-fewest within the NFL, on three yards per carry, the fourth-fewest within the NFL. What is going to really really spark the offense is getting 2023 First-Group All-Professional CeeDee Lamb going after a disastrous Week 3 versus the Baltimore Ravens. A fumble within the crimson zone, demonstrative conversations with teammates and coaches and drops all contributed to a loopy day that culminated with him skipping out on his postgame media availability. Lamb knows it’s time to get his act together and fast, which is huge for Dallas.

“Clearly I’ve received to be truthful to myself, and I performed an element in that loss,” Lamb mentioned on Tuesday. “A giant half, truthfully. Nor did physique language nor angle, approaching the scenario, assist the scenario or the result of the sport.”

He is made his amends with quarterback Dak Prescott following a heated chat with him and proper guard Zack Martin on the sideline after he misplaced his mood following a holding penalty by first-round rookie left sort out Tyler Guyton that erased an finish zone go interference penalty he drew proper earlier than halftime. 

“We perceive urgency,” Lamb mentioned. “That is between us, we discuss it every single day, each night time. Our relationship, if something gotten stronger, do not let what’s on the market idiot you. We’re brothers to the tip. We all know that all of us we received, and I tip my hat off to him. I received the utmost respect for him, and I have a look at him as a brother. In order that with that being mentioned, the whole lot is gonna come out: the vitality, the fervour, the love, the combat. You are going to make up in the long run. No craziness now.”

McCarthy mentioned Lamb will stay “a main point of interest” for his offense, and Thursday night time might be a perfect matchup to get again in gear. Giants beginning nickel nook Dru Phillips was dominated out on Wednesday with a calf damage, which is notable contemplating Lamb has led the NFL in slot receiving yards within the final two seasons. Cornerback Adoree Jackson can be out with a calf damage. Lamb might feast in primetime this week. 

“Granted, it [Week 3 vs. the Ravens] was a nasty recreation on my finish. I totally take accountability in that,” Lamb mentioned. “I’ve no disgrace in that. So with that being mentioned, I will likely be higher sooner or later and it may be enjoyable.”     

When the Giants have the ball

The Cowboys protection’s power is its go rush. Has been since they drafted three-time All-Professional Micah Parsons Twelfth general within the 2021 NFL Draft: Dallals led the NFL with a 41.4% quarterback strain charge from 2021 to 2023. 

Their group quarterback strain charge has declined to 36.7%, the Twelfth-best within the NFL by three weeks because of a diminished 26.5% charge throughout losses towards the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 2 and three, matchups during which Baltimore and New Orleans mixed to throw 31 passes. That is the lowest quantity of go makes an attempt towards an opposing protection in the whole NFL within the final couple of weeks.

“Individuals must go the ball huh?” Parsons mentioned Tuesday. “What, I go rush 10 instances within the final two video games? 

Briefly, the Cowboys have to show they will cease the run. 

“That is fairly blatant,” Parsons mentioned. “First recreation, they [the Browns] dropped again 40 instances [they threw 45 passes], and Weeks 2 and three, 15 and 16 instances. Remarkable soccer.”

Opposing offenses have dialed up run performs versus the Cowboys on 51% of performs in 2024, probably the most within the NFL, in response to NFL Professional Insights. Why? Effectively, Dallas is the worst run protection in soccer, permitting 185.7 yards per recreation on the bottom, with a missed sort out charge of 33.9%, the second-highest within the NFL, trailing solely the Los Angeles Rams’ 40.6% mark. Dallas is up towards it with one other robust operating again matchup in Week 4 with Giants operating again Devin Singletary, the NFL’s chief in tackles averted with 21 in 2024. 

“Yeah, tremendous agile,” Parsons mentioned of Singletary. “He is a fantastic man to go towards. … It may be a enjoyable matchup.”

The Cowboys additionally must account for New York quarterback Daniel Jones’ ft since he’s averaging 5.2 yards per stick with it 28 carries in 4 video games versus Dallas since 2021 for 145 yards speeding. 

“Going towards him the final couple of years, he at all times likes to run towards us,” Parsons mentioned. “It is undoubtedly going to be a pleasant run day similar to final week.”

New York will even assuredly throw the soccer to 2024 sixth general decide vast receiver Malik Nabers‘ manner over and over and over. Nabers grew to become the youngest vast receiver (21 years, 56 days outdated) in NFL historical past with two receiving touchdowns in a recreation within the Giants’ 21-15 victory towards the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. His three receiving touchdowns this season are tied for probably the most in a Giants participant’s first three profession video games for the reason that 1970 AFL/NFL merger together with Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and Bobby Johnson (1984).

Naturally, Nabers leads the NFL with 37 targets this season as does his group goal proportion of 37.8%. His targets determine is the second-most in a participant’s first three video games within the twenty first Century, trailing solely Puka Nacua’s 42 by his first three video games in 2023. Nabers leads or co-leads all NFL rookies by Week 3 in catches (23), receiving yards (271) and receiving touchdowns (three), whereas rating within the prime 5 in the whole league in all three metrics. He will likely be a problem for Cowboys Professional Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs. 

Malik Nabers by the numbers

* Leads or co-leads all NFL rookies

Prediction  

Nabers will get in the long run zone, and Singletary breaks off a number of large runs, however the Cowboys get the Prescott-to-Lamb connection again on its 2023 wavelength. That can permit Parsons and four-time Professional Bowl edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence to do what they do to finest: get after opposing quarterbacks in a Dallas victory. 

Predicted rating: Cowboys 31-16  

Bonus: SportsLine NFL professional Larry Hartstein is on a 22-8 ATS roll on Cowboys video games and we are able to inform you he is leaning the Over on this prime-time matchup towards the Giants. Check out which side he’s taking against the spread at SportsLine.