Not all NFL teams with 7-3 records are built the same. If you’d like proof, look no further than the Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants Week 12 Thanksgiving game.
The Cowboys are riding high after clobbering the Minnesota Vikings while the Giants are hanging their heads after a painful loss to the Detroit Lions.
The oddsmakers don’t think this one will be close as the Cowboys are double-digit favorites. If Dallas can get the job done, it’ll snap a three-year turkey day losing streak.
Here’s how to watch the game, and a breakdown of how these teams with identical records are so different:
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
- Kickoff time: Thursday, November 24th at 3:30 p.m.
- How to watch: FOX
- How to stream: fox.com
- Spread: Cowboys -10
- Over/under total: 45.5
The Cowboys have more firepower
This was expected to be a rebuilding year for the Giants. New York hired general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll in the offseason. Both are first-timers in their roles.
The Giants being 7-3 under a new regime is impressive. But their luck is due to run out because they don’t have the playmakers to keep up with the cream of the crop in the NFL.
New York has no true WR1 with Sterling Shepherd’s season being cut short due to a knee injury. Because of this, the Giants 177 passing yards per game is the fifth-lowest in the league. Darius Slayton is the team’s top WR with 413 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Giants have been below average at rushing the passer. New York has 20 sacks on the season. DT Dexter Lawrence leads the way with five but after him, no player has more than two. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have six players with over two sacks.
New York has been middle of the road at forcing turnovers. The G-Men have only two interceptions this season, tied for last in the NFL.
The Giants have recovered 10 fumbles on the year which is tied for the best mark in football. All in all, New York ranks 19th in takeaways. The Cowboys are tied for fifth.
The Giants offense is one dimensional
New York does have a star in Saquon Barkley, who has dealt with injuries in recent seasons but is on track to win Comeback Player of the Year. Barkley’s 953 rushing yards rank second in the NFL.
Daniel Jones is also a talented runner. His 437 yards are the fifth-most among QBs.
The problem is, if the Giants run game isn’t clicking or they have to mount a comeback, they’re not equipped to do so. New York relies too much on its running game, and too much on its defense to keep it a low-scoring affair.
The Giants average just 20 points per game, and have yet to score 30+ points in a game this season.
Unless the stars align perfectly for the Giants, it’s hard to see a path where they make the playoffs. Here’s New York’s remaining schedule:
- At Cowboys
- Vs. Commanders
- Vs. Eagles
- At Commanders
- At Vikings
- Vs Colts
- At Eagles
Giants opponents have a combined record of 35-17-1.
