DALLAS — Week 10 wasn’t even expected to be a close game, but the Dallas Cowboys left no doubt about their ability to move on from a tough loss in the 49-17 drubbing of the New York Giants. The teams have played twice this season and the Cowboys have dominated both meetings, outscoring the Giants 89-17.
In the last meeting, the defense led the way, but in the Week 10 win, the Cowboys’ offense had their way with New York. Quarterback Dak Prescott led an unstoppable group that scored 49 points, had 32 first downs, and gained a whopping 640 yards of total offense. Things could have gotten even more out of hand if head coach and play caller Mike McCarthy hadn’t called off the dogs early in the fourth quarter.
Prescott came out hot and kept his streak of impressive play going, throwing for 404 yards, four touchdowns, while also running for a fifth score. The veteran signal caller was in complete control and, aside from one interception, Prescott torched the Giants defense with an assortment of passes to all levels.
The Cowboys’ offense attacked the short, intermediate, and deep parts of the field with the passing game, something they have begun to do more of to great success in the last few weeks. It’s no coincidence then that Prescott had his third straight 300+ yard passing game, and his first 400-yard game of the season. Prescott hadn’t thrown for 300 or more yards in three consecutive weeks since 2020, and this run of success marks just the second time that he’s done it in his career.
Week 10 also represented the third consecutive week that Prescott has built upon his best game of the season, and his five scores were the first time that he’s produced five touchdowns since the final regular season game of 2021.
Prescott also spread the ball around in the blowout win, leading the way for two receivers to have 150+ yard games. Veteran WR Brandin Cooks had his best game as a Cowboy, hauling in nine catches for 173-yards and a touchdown. Cooks had just 17 receptions heading into the game but managed to bring in all but one of his 10 targets on Sunday.
Fellow WR CeeDee Lamb didn’t allow Cooks to have all the fun, and entered the NFL record books in the process. Lamb paced the offense with 11 receptions, had 151 receiving yards and two total scores. The WR opened the scoring for the Cowboys with a 14-yard rushing touchdown and added the 12-yard scoring reception late in the fourth quarter.
With his third straight game of 10+ receptions and 150+ yards, Lamb became the first player in league history to accomplish the feat.
Lamb’s incredible streak included a dazzling one-handed catch on his way to a record performance as McCarthy and Prescott have made it an emphasis to get their top receiving threat the ball.
Even with the offense funneling through Lamb, Prescott spread the ball around with his other two scores going to tight end Jake Ferguson – who has now scored in three straight games – and all but forgotten wideout Michael Gallup. The Prescott to Gallup connection hasn’t been great yet this season, but the duo linked up for a beautiful 41-yard touchdown down the right sideline.
In total, the Cowboys outgained the Giants by 468 yards, a new team record.
Dallas’ defense held up their end of the bargain as well. In the first quarter, with the Cowboys leading just 7-0, Prescott threw an interception to give the Giants great field position. The Cowboys’ defense got a fourth down stop to make sure New York wouldn’t get themselves back into the game and the offense responded by scoring touchdowns on their next three possessions.
The defense wasn’t expected to be challenged against backup quarterback Tommy DeVito and they weren’t as they held the Giants to just 61 yards passing while collecting six sacks. DaRon Bland got the defense’s only turnover when he picked off a deep DeVito pass down the middle. It was Bland’s fifth interception of the season, which is second in the league this year, but his 10th since the start of 2022, which leads the NFL.
The Giants must hate seeing the Cowboys on their schedule at this point. This is the second time they’ve been dismantled in the 2023 campaign and Dallas is now 16-4 in their last 20 meetings with the NFC East rivals. Prescott has also won 12 straight games against the Giants and hasn’t lost to them since his rookie year.
The 17.5-point betting spread was the largest in the NFL this season and the Cowboys demonstrated why that wasn’t nearly enough. The prevailing thought this offseason was that the Giants had closed the gap on the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. That notion was put to rest for a second time this year.
Dallas was supposed to win this game, but their dominance showed just how much farther the Giants need to go before anyone is willing to make any more foolish claims.
Do you think the Cowboys are back on track following another blowout victory? Share your thoughts with Ben on Twitter @BenGrimaldi.
More Dallas Cowboys coverage:
