Dallas Cowboys Week 17 opponent preview: The New York Giants

It all comes down to this for the Dallas Cowboys. This week and they face off against their division rival, the New York Giants, as both teams try to slide into an NFC East crown. The last time these two teams met the Cowboys lost their starting quarterback for the season but were still able to win the game. Both are going to give it their all so let’s see what’s changed for the Giants since they last met.

New York Giants

2020 Record: 5-10

Last Meeting: 10/11/20 Cowboys 37 - Giants 34

Head Coach: Joe Judge

Offensive Ranking: 31st of 32

Defensive Ranking: 10th of 32

Key Additions: CB James Bradberry, RB Dion Lewis, LB Blake Martinez, RB Devonta Freeman, S Logan Ryan

Key Losses: WR Cody Latimer, OL Mike Remmers, LB Deone Bucannon,

Key Injuries: RB Saquon Barkley (IR Knee), WR Golden Tate (Calf), TE Evan Engram (Ankle) CB Ryan Lewis (Hamstring), RB Devonta Freeman (Ankle),

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

Biggest offensive strengths and weaknesses

The Giants, who are still without Saquon Barkley, have now gone to a running back committee to help second-year quarterback Daniel Jones. This committee has given Jones the ability to push the ball down field to his receivers, who have now become the strength of this offense. The Cowboys will have to stop Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, and Evan Engram if he is able to play this week after injuring his ankle against the Ravens last week. Look for Jason Garrett and Jones to try attacking this defense with quick, short passes to evade the Cowboys pass rush. Then use the running game to keep the chains moving.

The reason Jones will have to get his passes out quick is due to the poor play from the Giants offensive line. This unit has given up 48 sacks this season which is one reason why this offense ranks 31st in the NFL, though it didn’t seem like it earlier this season when they dropped 34 points on the Cowboys. This time the Giants are facing a defense playing its best football of the season.

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Biggest defensive strength and weakness

The Giants defense continues to be the strength of this team ranking 10th in overall defense this season. Linebacker Blake Martinez and safeties Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan can cause problems for offenses in the running and passing game. But Dallas first must deal with Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence who continue to be problems for offensive lines and terrorizing quarterbacks. Joe Looney will have to make the correct calls for protection to giver Andy Dalton some time.

Look for the Cowboys to once again attack the Giants on the perimeter with their receivers. The last time the faced off, the Cowboys had success against them and if running back Ezekiel Elliott can continue pummeling defenders while Tony Pollard uses his speed to tire them out, then they can wear down this tough defense.