The Dallas Cowboys needed a much-improved defensive effort in a short amount of time after conceding 274 rushing yards in a disappointing effort against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, and ...
Coordinator Mike Zimmer's group took a step forward in Thursday night's contest, limiting the New York Giants to 1.1 yards per carry in a key 20-15 NFC East road win.
The Cowboys navigated a grind in the first half, taking a 14-9 lead into the break, but the second half proved even more of a grimy muck. Dallas capitalized on its Dak Prescott-led opportunities to open up on touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb and Rico Dowdle in the first half, but hunkered down in the second half.
Both teams would trade field goals on their first two possessions of the second half. Dallas knocked in the second of that pair with a 60-yard boot from Brandon Aubrey. The score moved to a 17-12 margin.
New York drove deep into Dallas territory at the start of the fourth quarter, but a goal-to-go stop forced another Giants field goal, bringing the home team within 17-15.
Prescott captained a steady drive down the field, but miscues on second and third down inside the New York 30 brought on Aubrey once more, making the score 20-15.
On their final stand and facing a 3rd and 6, Jones fired across the middle to Wandale Robinson who dropped what would have been a first down conversion.
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But a Giants' lineman rolled up on the legs of Micah Parsons who stayed down after the play. After being helped off the field, the Cowboys' defensive star was carted from the team's bench.
The Cowboys ran the clock down to 28 seconds before a missed Aubrey field goal breathed life into the Giants. Regardless, New York had little time to work with no timeouts. Jones took his final shot to the end zone in the waning seconds, throwing an interception to Amani Oruwariye.
Dallas gets a big win heading into a 10-day break before another road contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.