DALLAS — Wins don’t get much uglier, but for the Dallas Cowboys, after a couple of weeks of expectations-shattering losses, the 20-15 Week 4 victory over the New York Giants was a thing of beauty.
After getting their doors blown off two weeks in a row at home, if the Cowboys had any intention of having a successful season, beating the Giants felt like a rare September must win. On a short week, on the road, and against a division rival, it didn’t matter how it looked, Mike McCarthy’s team just needed to leave MetLife Stadium at 2-2.
Mission accomplished
Things didn’t feel much different from the previous couple of weeks for Dallas early in the game. The Cowboys had a quick three and out on offense, then their defense proceeded to give up a long drive and points to the Giants. Luckily, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s group stiffened and only allowed a field goal, which would become a recurring theme.
Trailing early again, quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense flipped the script to ensure that the Cowboys wouldn’t be playing from behind all game long like they have been in the last two weeks. Following the Giants’ 3-0 lead, the offense put together a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was finished off by a Prescott to Rico Dowdle 15-yard score on a screen pass.
New York answered with another field goal, but the Cowboys were quick to strike back with another touchdown. The score came on a 55-yard pitch and catch from Prescott to CeeDee Lamb to put the team up 14-6.
The sideline spat from a week earlier was in the rearview mirror for the All-Pro QB-WR duo, who connected six times for 94 yards and a score in the first half. Lamb had his best game this season, finishing with seven catches and totaling 106 yards.
Stuffing the run
While the offense stalled out after taking the lead, the defense rebounded nicely to help lead the way in the victory. After being humiliated on the ground over the last two weeks, the run defense stepped up with an impressive game.
The Cowboys held the Giants to an anemic 26 yards on 24 carries, good for just 1.1 yards per carry. That’s a significant improvement for a unit that allowed close to 500 yards rushing in their previous two contests.
The dominating effort was led by second-year defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who was credited with only three tackles and one for a loss, but he had his best game since entering the NFL. This was the Smith that the Cowboys were expecting when they selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft and he was one of the defensive stars in the win.
Smith wasn’t alone, though, as draftmate DeMarvion Overshown also played well. The second-year linebacker was one of the surest tacklers on defense, and he limited some of the damage that the slippery Giants offensive personnel employed. The Cowboys had some trouble tackling on the night, but that wasn’t an issue for Overshown.
If Overshown and Smith can continue the level of play shown in Week 4, the defense has an opportunity to grow to become much better than what they showed in the first few weeks.
One of the biggest factors in coming away with the win in Week 4 was the ability of the defense to keep the Giants out of the end zone. Zimmer’s unit did allow the Giants to move the ball, and it took until the third quarter to force a punt, but they played short-handed at cornerback with the Giants attacking every cornerback not named Trevon Diggs.
Playing for the injured Caelen Carson, CB Andrew Booth was burned in the first half by WR Malik Nabers before the Cowboys decided to try someone different. Amani Oruwariye was called up from the practice squad to get his chance, and although he struggled at times as well, he managed to keep plays in front of him and sealed the win with an interception.
However, it wasn’t all great from Zimmer’s unit. While Dallas’ defense was outstanding against the run, their pass rush was non-existent. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had time to find open receivers all night and if he were a better QB, the Cowboys might have been in for an even bigger fight.
Nevertheless, the defense gave up mostly short gains in the passing game and stiffened when the Giants neared the red zone, a big reason for the win.
Sloppy Thursday
The short week Thursday Night Football affair was also a game where the Cowboys displayed their frustrating discipline issues. Not many teams can commit 11 penalties for 89 yards and win, but McCarthy’s group somehow managed to get it done.
More proof that Dallas’ best effort came as All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a 50-yard field goal – his first career miss from 50 or more yards – late in the game to make for a few tense moments, but the Cowboys gutted out their second win of the season. After blowing out so many teams last year, and getting beaten so easily thus far this season, the Cowboys needed to show some fight in a contest that came down to making plays late.
Now, with a road win against an NFC East rival, Dallas will get a few extra days of rest before their Week 5 game on Oct. 6. The Cowboys will need that extra time after pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons left the game with injuries and several players were dinged up.
The Week 4 win wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t particularly fun, and it wasn’t against a quality opponent, but a victory was something that the Cowboys desperately needed. They don’t ask how; they only ask how many in the NFL and the Cowboys’ record is currently even at 2-2.
Do you think the Cowboys are back on track following their Week 4 win? Share your thoughts with Ben on X (formerly Twitter) @BenGrimaldi.
