Instant Analysis: Giants fall to Cowboys, 27-20

28 days ago

Giants.com

AT A GLANCE

Playing on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas for the second time in three seasons, the New York Giants fell to the Cowboys 27-20 at AT&T Stadium. It was the Giants' seventh consecutive loss as they dropped to 2-10 on the season. The Cowboys, meanwhile, improved to 5-7.

Giants vs Cowboys - Figure 1 — Photo Giants.com

UP NEXT

The Giants return to MetLife Stadium with back-to-back home games against the Saints (4-7) and Ravens (8-4).

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

After making his first start of the season on Sunday, quarterback Tommy DeVito appeared on the injury report on Tuesday with a sore right forearm. He did not travel with the team to Dallas on Wednesday as he underwent further evaluation. DeVito ultimately made the trip but was ruled inactive. The Giants designated him as the third emergency quarterback.

DeVito's injury opened the door for Drew Lock to make his first start since December 18, 2023, when he led the Seahawks to a comeback victory over the Eagles. Tim Boyle served as the backup.

The Giants also played without starting left tackle Jermaine Elueumor, who went down with a quad injury in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Chris Hubbard, just like he did in Week 12, stepped in for him while Evan Neal remained at right tackle.

Giants vs Cowboys - Figure 2 — Photo Giants.com

The Giants ran on 10 of their first 13 plays, including a 28-yard scramble by Lock down to the Cowboys' goal line. Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. punched it in to cap a 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive in response to the Cowboys' opening field goal.

The Cowboys retook the lead on a DeMarvion Overshown interception that the linebacker tipped up in the air to himself and returned 23 yards for a touchdown. Overshown notched another takeaway to start the second half, when he recovered a Lock fumble that was forced by linebacker Eric Kendricks on a scramble. The turnover led to a touchdown and a 20-10 lead for the Cowboys with 11:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Lock completed 21 of 32 passes for 178 yards with the two turnovers. The Cowboys sacked him six times among 14 quarterback hits. Lock added an eight-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 27-20 with 2:18 remaining in the game. He finished as the Giants' leading rusher with 57 yards on four attempts.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers, who wasn't targeted in the first half of Week 12, had two catches (on three targets) for 11 yards in addition to a four-yard rushing attempt on the Giants' opening possession. The sixth overall pick finished with eight catches for 69 yards on 13 targets.

Giants vs Cowboys - Figure 3 — Photo Giants.com

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

Second-year cornerback Deonte Banks missed his first start of the season (and third of his career) with a rib injury. Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who was tied with Brian Burns for second on the team with six sacks, missed his first game of the year with a toe injury and was placed on injured reserve.

The Giants gave up 130 yards on the Cowboys' first two possessions but kept them out of the red zone both times. However, Dallas capitalized with touchdowns on its next two trips inside the 20.

After leading the NFL for the majority of the season, the Giants failed to record a sack for the second consecutive game and for the third time in their last four outings.

The Giants' depth was tested up front. Two-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence suffered an elbow injury in the third quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Fellow defensive linemen D.J. Davidson (shoulder) and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (stinger) also sustained injuries.

Giants vs Cowboys - Figure 4 — Photo Giants.com

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

Cornerback Art Green downed a Jamie Gillan punt at the one-yard line midway through the second quarter.

Graham Gano made both of his field goal attempts from 46 and 47 yards.

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

NYG: DL Dexter Lawrence (elbow), DL D.J. Davidson (shoulder), DL Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (stinger)

DAL: S Juanyeh Thomas (knee), CB Josh Butler (knee)

INACTIVES

NYG: QB Tommy DeVito (right forearm/emergency 3rd QB), TE Greg Dulcich, CB Deonte Banks (rib), S Anthony Johnson, CB Tre Hawkins III, G Jake Kubas, T Jermaine Eluemunor (quad)

DAL: RB Deuce Vaughn, G Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder), TE Jake Ferguson (concussion), DE Marshawn Kneeland (knee), WR Ryan Flournoy, CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee), CB Andrew Booth

ROSTER MOVES

NYG: OLB Azeez Ojulari (reserve/injured), DT Armon Watts (reserve/injured), TE Greg Dulcich (claimed off waivers from DEN), OLB Tomon Fox (free agent signing from NYG practice squad), T Joshua Miles (standard elevation), CB Greg Stroman Jr. (standard elevations)

Giants vs Cowboys - Figure 5 — Photo Giants.com

DAL: TE Princeton Fant (free agent signing from DAL practice squad), WR Brandin Cooks (activated from reserve/injured), CB Caelen Carson (reserve/injured), T Asim Richards (reserve/injured), CB Andrew Booth (standard elevation), CB Kemon Hall (standard elevation)

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Evan Pinkus/NY GIANTS

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Evan Pinkus/NY GIANTS

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Evan Pinkus/NY GIANTS