Post by Matt Meyer | @bluto51 on Twitter
It’s been since 2018 that I could celebrate Thanksgiving with a win for my favorite team. Cowboys 28 Giants 20, Dallas now 8-3 on the season.
Cowboys slogged their way through the first 30 minutes, trailing New York 13-7 at the half. A missed fourth down conversion and two first half interceptions hamstrung Dallas and this game felt like many others that the Cowboys have had over the years: a game that you find a way to lose despite having the better team.
Tide turned in the second half. Cowboys go 75 yards in 14 plays, and after shooting themselves in the foot a couple of times, Dak Prescott found Dalton Schultz in the corner of the end zone for a 15 yard TD, and Dallas took a one point lead. Next drive for the Giants ended with the play of the game. Daniel Jones throws a poor pass to Saquon Barkley on 4th and 1 at the Giants’ 45. Barkley can’t corral it, Cowboys take over, and 6 plays later, Schultz has his 2nd TD of the quarter. Giants punt, Cowboys score another TD, Giants turn it over on downs, and the ballgame was decided. Dallas now one game clear of New York with the head to head tiebreaker.
Cowboys’ rush defense has been the area of concern all season long, but in this game, the sixth ranked rushing offense of the Giants was held to 90 yards, and Barkley only had 39 of those. Conversely, Dallas ran for 169, and this week it was Ezekiel Elliott who led the way with 92 yards and a score. Hope Elliott can stay healthy down the stretch. He can still be a terrific player when healthy. 169 rushing yards and no sacks allowed indicates the offensive line had a terrific day, with the exception of a few penalties.
CeeDee Lamb had 6 catches for 106 yards, and a couple of which were very difficult plays to make. He almost had a 7th in the back of the end zone that would’ve been an amazing TD grab if he could’ve got his entire foot down in bounds. Hopefully Lamb is beginning to emerge as one of the elite WR’s in the sport. Talent has never been the issue with him. Consistency has.
I said going into the Green Bay game that if Dallas could win 2 of their next 3, I’d be happy. They did, and I am. The next 3 are very winnable and if the Cowboys want to catch the Eagles for the NFC East, and perhaps the number 1 seed, they need to win each one, leading into the rematch with Philadelphia on Christmas Eve. No guarantees in this league, but the best teams shouldn’t lose to non playoff teams.
Colts up first Sunday night. Indianapolis is struggling, losing on Monday night to Pittsburgh. Big scheduling advantage here as the Cowboys have had four more days since their last game and Indy has to travel while Dallas doesn’t. Colts have Jonathan Taylor, the league’s 10th leading rusher despite only playing in 9 games this season. Michael Pittman, Jr. is 14th in the league in receiving yards, so the Colts certainly have playmakers, but Indy is 26th in total offense and 30th in scoring offense. Colts are very good defensively however, ranking 5th in total defense, 5th against the pass, and 11th in scoring defense.
Game you have to win if you call yourself a good team. Matt Ryan’s lack of mobility means he could get to know Micah Parsons rather well. Indy’s defense makes it tougher than most think.
Dallas 24 Indianapolis 17