Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys @ Giants: Six Staff Game Predictions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:19 p.m. ET

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The Landry Hat staff of contributors give their predictions for the Week 14 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) following the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday night, the 11-1 Dallas Cowboys will take on their NFC East rivals, the 8-4 New York Giants in MetLife Stadium. The Landry Hat’s staff of contributors has gathered together this week to give their predictions for the Week 14 matchup.

Note: If you are interested in reading more of a particular contributor’s work on the site, simply click on their name.

Steven Mullenax, Site Expert

Prediction: Just looking at this matchup on paper, I think the 11-1 Dallas Cowboys should be the clear favorites over the 8-4 New York Giants. Especially when you consider that all four of the teams the Giants have lost to this season, the Cowboys defeated.

But when it comes to divisional rivalries, you can throw out the stats. I could argue that both teams are very different since their first meeting in Week One.

Thinking back to their previous matchup, the Cowboys made several uncharacteristic mistakes, especially by their receiver corps, that led to the team’s first and only defeat of the season. Remember the dropped pass by Dez Bryant in the end zone? How about the dropped pass inside the five yard line by Cole Beasley for another missed scoring opportunity? And, of course, we all remember when Terrance Williams failed to get out of bounds in the final seconds for the game in the 20-19 loss.

But let’s also not forget that the Cowboys driving offensive force, the stellar play of it’s two rookies, were playing in their first regular season game as professionals ever. Running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a season-low 51 yards on 20 carries against the Giants in Week One. Quarterback Dak Prescott completed only 25 of his 45 passes for 227 yards. His 55.6 completion percentage was also a season-low.

I believe this contest gives the entire Dallas Cowboys squad a shot at redemption in New York. But I still fully expect a back and forth offensive shootout in MetLife Stadium during Sunday Night Football, with Dallas ultimately coming out on top.

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 28, New York Giants 27

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball in the third quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Vu, Senior Contributor

Prediction: Let’s stop calling these big games the next big test. It’s old. All 12 Dallas Cowboys games have been big.

No. Not big. Epic. It’s been that kind of year for the Cowboys.

Let’s treat this one as a revenge game, one that can knock back the New York Giants to 8-5 with three games to go. The Dallas Cowboys have a chance to wrap up the NFC East Division with a win.

Some things to keep in mind:

• The Cowboys are 6-0 on the road so far

• By kickoff time Sunday Night, the Cowboys will know if they are fighting for the division and possibly the number one seed

• If the Lions lose at 1PM EST against the Bears, the Cowboys can earn a first-round bye

• If the Seahawks lose at 4PM EST at Green Bay, the Cowboys can earn a first-round bye

• If the Lions and Seahawks both lose, the Cowboys can earn the number one seed

• Those 11 wins didn’t come easy, and the Cowboys gave a fight in Week 1 to the Giants, losing by only one point

I didn’t like how the Cowboys played last Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas showed how they can group together and win ugly. Playing three games in 12 days isn’t a fun task, but the team went 3-0 during that span.

Now, after 10 days of rest and preparation for the Giants, America’s Team is coming back with heat.

The Giants have the 17th overall defense. The Cowboys have the 18th overall defense. New York has proven they could stop the run, ranking fifth overall. But their pass defense ranks 25th overall.

This is where Dak Prescott shines, once again, on prime time football on the road. Expect him to boot left and right, dial up the play-action, and use his feet to score. If he doesn’t get more than 250 yards in the air, that would be a disappointment.

I get the feeling the Giants will throw the kitchen sink. This game matters more to them than it does for the Boys. But the Cowboys showed they can handle kitchen sinks, surviving a 17-15 away game with the Vikings.

It’s a Cowboys game, though a close one.

See you in the playoffs, New York Giants.

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 24, New York Giants 20

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in the pocket while tackle Tyron Smith (77) blocks against New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Carl Daley, Contributor

Prediction: This is game two of the series this season with the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys are looking for revenge. The Cowboys only have one blemish on their season record and that comes from the Gmen.

This game will be one of the more interesting contests of the season as the Cowboys have evolved into a completely different team.

The Cowboys statistical season ranks may have taken a hit after the showdown with the Minnesota Vikings but they are more dangerous than ever.

The Cowboys are coming off of their mini bye and are rested and ready for their big showdown with the Giants.

The Cowboys are facing another tough run defense that should still give them problems in terms of limiting their big play abilities. Still this is one of the lowest ranked offenses coming up against one of the best offenses in the NFL.

The Cowboys weapons have fully developed and are now looking to feed on a New York defense that just saw star defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul go down with a season ending injury. This will handicap the Giants enough to allow Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott to make enough plays along the left side of the Giants defensive line to help pull this one out for Dallas.

This game should still remain close but the Cowboys should win by at least a touchdown. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and star wide receiver should also have stellar games as the new “Triplets” prove to be to much for the New York Giants.

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 31, New York Giants 21

Oct 25, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) catches pass in the 3rd quarter against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Dyllan Larson, Contributor

Prediction: The Dallas Cowboys have the opportunity against the New York Giants to avenge their only loss on the season. If they are able to pull out the victory at Met Life Stadium, the Cowboys will also clinch the NFC East division title and potentially a first round bye depending on what the Lions and Seahawks do this weekend.

The Giants being without Jason Pierre Paul due to a groin injury and potentially without monster defensive tackle Leonard Hankins due to a thigh injury could be a huge factor in the game. In the first matchup the Giants defensive line was able to impose their will along the line of scrimmage and made it difficult for running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Alfred Morris to find running lanes. Having at least one and possibly two starters missing along that defensive front will make Zeke and Morris breathe much easier when trying to locate openings for big gains.

I have seen logical ways for the Cowboys lose every game they have played this season; but other than the first game of the year- also against the Giants, the Cowboys have found a way to pull out victory after victory. That is what great teams do.

That being said, it will be extremely tough for Dallas to win this game. The Giants are desperate for a win, if they lose it will be much more difficult for them to make the playoffs after they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend. Dallas being without cornerback Morris Claiborne, who has been nothing short of dominant this season before his groin injury, makes the Cowboys secondary vulnerable to get torched by Giants superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

I believe that OBJ has a huge game in this one, but Dallas digs deep yet again and yanks an improbable victory from the jaws of defeat in a classic battle.

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 31, New York Giants 27

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) scores the game winning touchdown as New York Giants linebacker Uani

Ben Grimaldi, Contributor

Prediction: It took the Dallas Cowboys 13 weeks and 12 games (11 of them wins) in order to get to this point of the season. The only blemish on their record came from the New York Giants in Week One, something that has not gone unnoticed.

If the Cowboys needed some motivation, it’s staring them in the face on Sunday and they can gain some measure of redemption by beating the Giants.

It’s going to be a battle.

The Giants will play a good game and have the receivers to threaten Dallas defensively. The Cowboys have been leaking on defense in recent weeks and the Giants can put the pressure on the Cowboys’ offense to score points to keep up.

However, Dallas will have three extra days rest and the Giants lost one of their best pass rushers in defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. That is not a good combination to work with against the Cowboys and their physical offensive style. Plus there is some extra skin in the game since the Cowboys can win the NFC East title if they come away victorious.

Dallas should have no issues moving the ball using running back Ezekiel Elliott and utilizing tight end Jason Witten in the middle of the field, the weak spot in this Giants defense. It will be a tight game all the way through and wide receiver Terrance Williams will make the biggest play of the game to help guide the Cowboys to an NFC East title. Williams, who was the goat in Week One, will be the hero in Week 14.

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 27, New York Giants 23

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) celebrates after scoring the winning touchdown against the New York Giants in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Long, Contributor

Prediction: Well, here we are again. new York Giants week. Personally, the Giants are my favorite opponent each season. I love the rivalry. My father and girlfriend are both New York fans so we have some fun ragging on each other before, during and after the game. It always seems to be a close contest.

This is probably one of the hardest games to predict all season. Normally before a game, I feel confident about one team or the other. However, the Giants are essentially two teams. Sometimes, they look like the best team in all of football. When their quarterback, Eli Manning, is playing well and the offense is rolling, they are a very complete football team due to a stingy, ballhawking defense. On the other hand, Manning will single-handedly lose them a game or two here and there.

My gut is telling me that the Cowboys pair of terrific rookies, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, each wanting to avenge their only NFL loss.

Couple that with the fact that the Cowboys are undefeated on the road, and I think this one will end in the Cowboys favor. It’ll be a close game throughout, with Dallas finding a way to win in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.

Give me the Cowboys by four.

Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 28, New York Giants 24