Dak Prescott’s second-half surge pushes Cowboys past Giants. And is New York sliding?

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The Dallas Cowboys picked up an important NFC East triumph with a 28-20 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving afternoon. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Dallas (8-3) has won four of its last five games and has swept the Giants (7-4) this season. New York has lost three of its last four games.
  • Dak Prescott bounced back in the second half. The Cowboys quarterback threw two interceptions in the first half, but tossed two TD passes in the first two second-half drives. Dallas added a third TD in as many possessions in the second half.
  • Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz caught two touchdown passes in the win. He only had one TD catch entering Week 12.
  • Micah Parsons added to his claim for NFL Defensive Player of the Year with two sacks, which is the ninth time in his early career with two or more sacks in one game.
  • The Giants offense stagnated overall. Saquon Barkley accounted for a first-half New York TD, but was held to 52 total yards.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Ugly early, pretty late for Cowboys

It was pretty ugly early, but the Cowboys played as was expected in the second half. Things were going so well that a tight end whac-a-mole celebration broke out in one of the Salvation Army red kettles following Dallas’ fourth TD of the game. The Cowboys were expected to beat the injury-plagued Giants, something they’ve now done 10 times in 12 games with Prescott at quarterback. Prescott is now 26-6 against the NFC East. At 8-3, Dallas is now 1.5 games back of the Eagles for the best record in the NFL. There’s still a long way to go, but the Cowboys belong in the conversation for best team in the league.

As long as it can avoid any major injury issues, this team appears to be in position to make a deep playoff run. Odell Beckham Jr. might put them over the top. The Cowboys are very interested. But it should be noted that the play of wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (106 yards on six catches) and Michael Gallup (five catches, 63 yards) was impressive. It’s the best those two have played together this season. — Machota

Giants squander early chances

The Giants had early chances in Thursday’s game but failed to capitalize. In the first quarter, the defense made two key stops but the offense didn’t respond with enough force. A big momentum swing came when the Giants’ defense made a fourth-and-1 stop, taking over on the Dallas 40-yard line. But an ineligible man downfield penalty erased a potential touchdown and more penalties forced the Giants to settle for a field goal. Then, Rodarius Williams intercepted Prescott, but the Giants went three and out on their offensive series. Those early scores would have been helpful as the Cowboys didn’t find their offensive rhythm until the second half. — Carroll

Turnovers aside, New York’s secondary struggles

While the Giants had two interceptions, that didn’t cover up the secondary struggles. The Giants lost top cornerback Adoree’ Jackson last week (he was injured on a punt return) and then Fabian Moreau was ruled out of Thursday’s game with an oblique injury. The result was Lamb had his way, making life impossibly difficult for the secondary. — Carroll

Key stat

The Cowboys clearly won the battle on third down. The offense converted on seven of its 11 attempts. Dallas’ defense held the Giants to only three conversions on 11 attempts.

Highlights of the game

Required reading

(Photo: Jerome Miron / USA Today)



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