Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats

The Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats have one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries, and their Thanksgiving Day clash on November 28, 2024, was no exception. Played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Cowboys secured a 27-20 victory over the Giants, marking their eighth straight win over their NFC East rivals. For fans who love digging into the numbers, this game offered plenty of standout performances, key moments, and stats that tell the story of a hard-fought divisional battle. Let’s break down the player stats from this exciting matchup in a way that’s easy to understand for everyone, whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just tuning in for the holiday game.

Game Overview: Cowboys Triumph on Thanksgiving

The Cowboys, coming off a tough season with a 4-7 record, faced a struggling Giants team sitting at 2-9. Both teams were dealing with significant injuries, with Dallas missing star quarterback Dak Prescott and the Giants without their starting quarterback, Tommy DeVito, due to a forearm injury. Despite these setbacks, the game was competitive, with the Cowboys’ defense and running game stepping up to secure their first home win of the season. The Giants showed fight, especially early on, but couldn’t overcome Dallas’ defensive pressure and timely plays.

This article dives into the key player stats from both teams, highlighting the stars who shone brightest and the numbers that defined the game. We’ll also include a handy table summarizing the top performers for quick reference.

Key Offensive Stats: Quarterbacks Take Center Stage

Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Rush Steps Up

With Dak Prescott sidelined for the season, backup quarterback Cooper Rush took the reins for the Cowboys. Rush delivered a solid performance, completing 21 of his 36 pass attempts (58.3%) for 195 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. His passer rating of 82.5 reflected a steady, mistake-free game, which was crucial for a Cowboys offense looking to find its rhythm at home.

Rush’s best moment came early in the game when he led an 11-play, 65-yard drive to open the scoring with a 23-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey. His ability to manage the game and avoid turnovers allowed Dallas to lean on their defense and running game to control the clock, holding the ball for 31:36 compared to the Giants’ 28:24.

New York Giants: Drew Lock’s First Start

On the Giants’ side, Drew Lock made his first start of the season, stepping in for the injured Tommy DeVito. Lock completed 21 of 32 passes (65.6%) for 178 yards but struggled under pressure, throwing one interception and getting sacked six times for a loss of 47 yards. His passer rating was a modest 66.9, reflecting the challenges he faced against a relentless Cowboys defensive line.

Despite the struggles, Lock showed flashes of mobility, leading the Giants with 57 rushing yards on just four carries, including an 8-yard touchdown run. His 28-yard scramble in the first quarter set up a key touchdown, but the interception and fumble proved costly, as Dallas capitalized on both turnovers.

Running Game: Rico Dowdle Shines for Dallas

Cowboys’ Ground Attack

The Cowboys’ running game was a major factor in their victory, and Rico Dowdle had a career day. Dowdle rushed for 112 yards on 22 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt, and scored his first rushing touchdown of the 2024 season. His 22-yard run in the second quarter was Dallas’ longest of the season, sparking a drive that ended with a 33-yard field goal by Aubrey. Dowdle’s performance marked the first time a Cowboys running back surpassed 100 yards in a game in the last 26 contests, a significant milestone for a team looking to balance its offense.

Giants’ Struggles on the Ground

The Giants, on the other hand, struggled to establish their running game. Tyrone Tracy Jr. led the team with 32 yards on nine carries, including a 1-yard touchdown that gave New York an early 7-3 lead. Devin Singletary, making his first start since Week 4, added 23 yards on seven carries. The Giants’ total rushing output of 69 yards on 20 attempts paled in comparison to Dallas’ 122 yards, highlighting their inability to control the game’s tempo on the ground.

Receiving Corps: Malik Nabers Stands Out

Giants’ Rookie Sensation

Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was the Giants’ offensive bright spot, hauling in eight receptions for 69 yards. Despite not finding the end zone, Nabers’ performance added to his historic rookie season, as he now holds the record for the most catches (75) in a player’s first 10 career games in NFL history. His ability to get open and make tough catches kept the Giants’ offense alive, especially on their opening 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive.

Cowboys’ Receiving Efforts

For Dallas, KaVontae Turpin led the way with 53 yards on four receptions, while star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb contributed 36 yards on four catches, including a key 17-yard grab on third-and-4 during the opening drive. Lamb sat out the fourth quarter after aggravating a shoulder injury, but his presence early in the game helped open up the offense. Tight end Jake Ferguson was absent due to injury, which limited Dallas’ passing options, but Rush spread the ball to seven different receivers, showcasing the team’s depth.

Defensive Standouts: Cowboys Dominate with Sacks

Dallas’ Defensive Line Wreaks Havoc

The Cowboys’ defense was the story of the game, recording six sacks on Drew Lock and forcing two turnovers. Linebacker Micah Parsons led the charge with 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, and a tackle for loss, constantly disrupting the Giants’ offensive rhythm. Eric Kendricks added a team-high 10 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble, while DeMarvion Overshown made the play of the game with a 23-yard pick-six in the second quarter. Overshown also recovered a fumble, earning him a spot as one of the game’s top performers.

Dallas’ ability to pressure Lock was critical, as they tied their season-high for sacks in a game (previously set against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1). The Giants’ offense managed just 247 total yards, with 80 coming on a late, inconsequential drive.

Giants’ Defense Fights Hard

The Giants’ defense, despite the loss, showed resilience. They failed to record a sack for the second straight game, a drop-off from their earlier season average of 3.3 sacks per game. However, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson stepped up with seven tackles (four solo) and a pass defensed, filling in for the injured Deonte Banks. Rookie safety Tyler Nubin and linebacker Micah McFadden each had eight tackles, leading the team in that category.

The Giants’ defense struggled with injuries, as two-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence left the game in the third quarter with an elbow injury, and fellow linemen D.J. Davidson and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches also exited early. Despite these setbacks, they held Dallas to 317 total yards and kept the game close until the final minutes.

Special Teams: Kickers Deliver

Both teams relied on their kickers to chip in points. For the Giants, Graham Gano was perfect, making both field goal attempts from 46 and 47 yards. Dallas’ Brandon Aubrey also delivered, converting field goals from 23 and 33 yards. Additionally, Giants punter Jamie Gillan had a notable moment when cornerback Art Green downed his punt at the Cowboys’ 1-yard line, showcasing New York’s special teams effort.

Key Moments That Shaped the Game

• Giants’ Early Lead: New York opened the game with a 13-play, 70-yard drive, capped by Tracy’s 1-yard touchdown run, marking their first first-quarter touchdown since Week 3.

• Overshown’s Pick-Six: Dallas took the lead for good in the second quarter when Overshown intercepted a screen pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, shifting momentum.

• Cowboys’ Defensive Dominance: Six sacks, including 1.5 from Parsons, kept the Giants’ offense off balance and limited their ability to sustain drives.

• Dowdle’s Milestone: Rico Dowdle’s 112-yard rushing performance, including a 22-yard run, helped Dallas control the clock and wear down the Giants’ defense.

• Late Giants Push: Despite trailing 27-13, New York mounted a late drive, with Lock’s 57 rushing yards and Nabers’ eight catches keeping them in the game until the final minutes.

Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats Table: Top Performers

Player	Team	Position	Stats
Cooper Rush	Cowboys	QB	21/36, 195 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 82.5 passer rating
Drew Lock	Giants	QB	21/32, 178 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 6 sacks, 57 rushing yards, 1 TD
Rico Dowdle	Cowboys	RB	22 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD, 5.1 avg
Tyrone Tracy Jr.	Giants	RB	9 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 33 yards
Malik Nabers	Giants	WR	8 receptions, 69 yards
KaVontae Turpin	Cowboys	WR	4 receptions, 53 yards
CeeDee Lamb	Cowboys	WR	4 receptions, 36 yards
Micah Parsons	Cowboys	LB	1.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 tackle for loss
Eric Kendricks	Cowboys	LB	10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
DeMarvion Overshown	Cowboys	LB	1 INT (23-yard TD), 1 fumble recovery
Adoree’ Jackson	Giants	CB	7 tackles (4 solo), 1 pass defensed
Tyler Nubin	Giants	S	8 tackles (6 solo)
Micah McFadden	Giants	LB	8 tackles (5 solo)
Brandon Aubrey	Cowboys	K	2/2 FG (23, 33 yards)
Graham Gano	Giants	K	2/2 FG (46, 47 yards)

Why These Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats Matter

The stats from this game highlight the Cowboys’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and defensive pressure, with Overshown’s pick-six and Parsons’ relentless pass rush proving decisive. For the Giants, Nabers’ continued emergence as a star receiver and Lock’s mobility offered glimpses of potential, but their inability to protect the quarterback or establish a running game limited their chances. The Cowboys’ balanced attack, led by Dowdle’s breakout performance, allowed them to control the game’s pace and secure a much-needed home victory.

The Bigger Picture: Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats Rivalry and Context

The Cowboys now lead the all-time series against the Giants 77-47-2, with this win marking their 15th victory in the last 16 meetings. For Giants fans, the loss was another tough chapter in a 2-10 season, with their seventh consecutive defeat dropping them to 0-6 against Dallas under head coach Brian Daboll. The Cowboys, at 5-7, kept their slim playoff hopes alive, though their focus remains on building momentum for 2025.

Looking Ahead

The Giants return to MetLife Stadium to face the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens in their next two games, hoping to end their losing streak. The Cowboys, meanwhile, will look to build on their first home win as they face the Cincinnati Bengals on December 9. Both teams will need to address their injury concerns and refine their game plans to finish the season strong.

Conclusion

The Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats was a classic NFC East battle, with standout performances from players like Rico Dowdle, Malik Nabers, and Micah Parsons shaping the outcome. The Cowboys’ defensive dominance and efficient offense proved too much for a Giants team hampered by injuries and turnovers. Whether you’re a stats nerd or just love the drama of football rivalries, this game delivered plenty to talk about. Keep an eye on these players as the season progresses, as their performances could hint at what’s to come in 2025.