The Dallas Cowboys have begun their 2024 season with an unpredictable mix of dramatic highs and unfortunate lows. After consecutive home defeats in the first three weeks, the Cowboys started to show resilience and terminated their losing streak with a gritty victory over the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football," finishing 20-15.
Despite facing adversity, the Cowboys' record now stands at an even 2-2. The team suffered a bruising pair of home losses to the New Orleans Saints, who dominated with a 44-19 win, and the Baltimore Ravens, who narrowly edged them out with a 28-25 victory. Yet, the bounce-back against the Giants was a testament to their fighting spirit.
Quarterback Dak Prescott was instrumental in the latest victory, cementing his 13th consecutive win against the Giants. This winning streak ties the second-longest by any quarterback versus a single opponent since at least 1950. Prescott threw for 221 yards, completing an astonishing 22 of 21 passes, showcasing his reliability and superior game management.
Prescott also made crucial connections with his teammates, including a pivotal 15-yard touchdown pass to running back Rico Dowdle. He further electrified fans with a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown delivered to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Kicker Brandon Aubrey also played a significant role, making field goals from 60 and 40 yards. However, his attempt to maintain a perfect streak from 50-plus yards was halted when he missed a 51-yard kick. Despite this, Aubrey still boasts an impressive 16 of 17 successful attempts from such distances, holding the record for the longest consecutive streak of 50-plus yard field goals in NFL history.
Defensive Resilience and Challenges
Defensively, the Cowboys displayed marked improvement. In Week 3, they were torched for 274 rushing yards by the Baltimore Ravens but rebounded spectacularly by allowing only 26 rushing yards on 24 carries against the Giants. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was key to stifling the Giants' run game, ensuring they couldn't gain any significant ground.
However, the defense faced setbacks with injuries to key players. Both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence left the game in the second half due to injuries. Lawrence was sidelined after the third quarter with a foot injury, while Parsons' X-ray results were fortunately negative. Expressing confidence about his status, Parsons assured fans, "I'll be good."
Despite these injuries, the Cowboys' defense held firm. Amani Oruwariye’s late-game interception with just 15 seconds remaining sealed the win, a critical play that underscored the unit's tenacity and determination.
Optimism Amidst Adversity
The Cowboys have their share of challenges, particularly on the offensive front. Averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, they rank third-worst in the NFL. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is also among the league's lowest, ranking fourth-worst. Notably, CeeDee Lamb holds the team's longest rush of the season at merely 12 yards, highlighting the struggles in their ground game.
The team’s depth is also being tested with injuries to DaRon Bland, who is suffering from a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson, who is nursing a shoulder injury.
Veteran DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized the need for a cohesive effort, stating, "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play," and, "Get out of playing little league football." His sentiment was echoed by Parsons, who stressed the importance of unity on the field: "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
The upcoming fixtures against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions present an opportunity for the Cowboys to solidify their improvements and build momentum. As the team navigates through the highs and lows of the early season, the mixture of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance will be crucial in shaping their trajectory.