Dallas Cowboys: Stats Prove It. The Best Way to Beat the New York Giants
It's week three and the Dallas Cowboys will face off against their rival New York Giants. The Giants are a 3.5-point favorite, despite QB Dak Prescott not being available, according to Tipico Sportsbook. The major reason being their fourth ranked rushing attack, featuring RB Saquon Barkley and QB Daniel Jones. New York is averaging 5.2 […]
It's week three and the Dallas Cowboys will face off against their rival New York Giants. The Giants are a 3.5-point favorite, despite QB Dak Prescott not being available, according to Tipico Sportsbook.
The major reason being their fourth ranked rushing attack, featuring RB Saquon Barkley and QB Daniel Jones. New York is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, as opposed to 8.2 yards per pass (30th).
This alone means the gameplan is simple: force the Giants to throw the ball. They average 32:25 in offensive time of possession on 130 total plays. 59 of which are run plays (45.4%).
Good news for the Dallas Cowboys is they will field the seventh best defense against the run in the league. Including the fifth-best at allowing runs for first downs (12).
Even with the potential for some key defenders unable to play on Sunday, and Micah Parsons battling an illness, the game plan is the same.
While QB Daniel Jones is showing steady improvement as a passer, completing 71% of his passes, it's only on 4.1 air-yards per attempt. 18th in the NFL.
The offense is beginning to open up, but the Giants do a lot of safe, under five-yard passes to move the ball. The running game is effective so far that it has opened up the passing game, and Jones has been able to take more shots down the field.
It may seem like a simplistic gameplan. Take away the run and force the Giants to throw. While the Dallas Cowboys defense has the players and scheme to make that happen, it's been a tough task so far for opposing defenses.
If they can get it done, there's no reason to believe a 2-1 start isn't possible. Barkley and Jones are a dynamic duo so far this season and can't be taken lightly in Brian Daboll's offense.
Mandatory credit: Kareem Elgazzar of The Enquirer part of the USA TODAY NETWORK
