3 Giants players that could extend Cowboys' losing streak and who must step up to avoid it
The Dallas Cowboys are not where they wanted to be three weeks into the regular season: They're at 1-2 and with serious concerns about both the offense and defense and even the New York Giants don't look like a guaranteed win despite dominating them in the Dak Prescott era, including a six-game winning streak over […]
The Dallas Cowboys are not where they wanted to be three weeks into the regular season: They're at 1-2 and with serious concerns about both the offense and defense and even the New York Giants don't look like a guaranteed win despite dominating them in the Dak Prescott era, including a six-game winning streak over them.
That's right, on Thursday Night Football, the Cowboys better bring it against the Giants or they might find themselves on a 0-3 run. That's because the Giants actually own some mismatches on their favors ahead of this one, as they have a few players that could tilt the game in their favor on primetime TV.
Below are three Giants players that could cost the Cowboys the game, and who must step up to avoid it.
DE Brian Burns
Who must step up: OT Terence Steele
Listen, Burns is a top five edge rusher per Pro Football Focus grades and that should be no surprise, as he's been one of the league's best over the last few years. Last week, Burns racked up six pressures against the Browns, in large part because of their starting tackles being absent due to injury.
The problem for the Cowboys is they're also fielding a questionable duo of offensive tackles in rookie Tyler Guyton and veteran Terence Steele. Both had very solid reps last week, particularly late in the game, but they're capable of getting beat badly in any dropback situation against quality edge rushers. Steele is tied for sixth in the most pressures allowed for a tackle so far this season and Guyton sits at 13th.
Burns will face Guyton for the most part on Thursday but Steele is my choice for who must step up for two reasons: 1) He's the veteran and 2) If he's able to survive by himself on the right side, Mike McCarthy will be able to focus the pass protection scheme on helping out the rookie on Dak Prescott's blindside. If Steele fails, it'll be tough to help out on both edges of the line.
WR Malik Nabers
Who must step up: CB Trevon Diggs
This is a tricky one as I wouldn't expect Diggs to shadow the first round rookie, but Nabers has primarily lined up out wide. Similarly to with Guyton and Steele, Diggs is the one who should step up over fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson who on top of everything is dealing with a shoulder injury.
Diggs acknowledged he got beat on a game-defining throw from Lamar Jackson toward the end of the Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. This will be a prime opportunity for redemption.
What was made clear from last week's Giants game as Nabers put up an eight-catch, 78-yard performance with two touchdowns, is that the rookie must be taken seriously. Some thought he was a better draft prospect than Marvin Harrison Jr. and he's shown why with tremendous route running and some spectacular catches.
DL Dexter Lawrence
Who must step up: OC Cooper Beebe
I could take the same approach with Cooper Beebe as I did with Guyton and Carson in the matchups above but here's the thing: Beebe has no way of hiding from this matchup.
Lawrence is one of the best defenders in the entire NFL regardless of position and he'll be lining up over Beebe for a good chunk of this game. The Giants will likely find ways to get Lawrence, a premiere pass rusher at defensive tackle, some one-on-one looks against the center while reducing Tyler Smith's and Zack Martin's involvement.
Considering the Cowboys must throw to win on offense, this is perhaps the scariest matchup of them all.
The Cowboys should have plenty of matchups on their favor, including CeeDee Lamb against this secondary and the team's edge rushers against right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who allowed four pressures last weekend. Heck, Andrew Thomas, supposed to be one of the best Giants on the team, allowed eight pressures against the Browns' talented pass rush.
In other words, the Cowboys are probably rightfully favored coming into this one but we've learned this is a team with exploitable flaws. If the above three step up, they might be able to hide it with a much-needed win.
