Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys vs Giants Preview: Key Matchups and Scenarios

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:54 a.m. ET

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Here is a breakdown the upcoming Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants contest and discuss the matchups that could be the difference in the game.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Week 14 in the 2016 NFL season is among us, and the 11-1 Dallas Cowboys are headed to Met Life Stadium to take on their NFC east rival, the New York Giants.

The 8-4 Giants are the only team to defeat the Cowboys this season and Dallas will have a great opportunity to avenge their only loss in this matchup.

That being said, it will not be an easy task for the Cowboys to win their 12th consecutive game.

They are playing a Giants team that knows them well and has defensive strengths that can counter the strengths of the Dallas offense.

The Giants beat the Cowboys in Week 1 by playing run defense, making key stops in the red zone, effectively running the ball out of shotgun, and making the most of scoring opportunities.

Clearly, Dallas is going to try to change the outcome of several of those key situations in the rematch.

I’m going to give you a breakdown of how the different units match up against the opposing counterparts and also talk about specific players within matchups that could be the difference in the game.

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

Cowboys offensive stats:

Total yards per game- 395.7 (4th)

Pass yards per game- 239.8 (19th)

Rush yards per game- 155.8 (2nd)

Points per game- 27.8 (4th)

Total first downs- 283 (3rd)

Third down conversion percentage- 46.1 (5th)

Red zone TD scoring percentage- 65.96 (4th)

Giants defensive stats:

Total yards per game- 356.8 (17th)

Pass yards per game- 265.3 (25th)

Rush yards per game- 91.4 (5th)

Points per game- 19.8 (9th)

Total first downs- 238 (12th)

Third down conversion percentage- 37.8 (8th)

Red zone TD scoring percentage- 43.24 (2nd)

So as you can see, the Cowboys offense is great when it comes to running the ball, getting first downs, scoring, converting third downs, and scoring touchdowns in the red zone.

The Giants defense essentially mirrors the strengths of the Cowboys offense- they can stop the run, don’t give up a lot of first downs, they get off the field on third down, and they are one of the elite teams in the NFL when it comes to being stingy inside the red zone.

It will come down to running the football effectively and scoring touchdowns instead of field goals if the Cowboys want to win this game.

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a pass as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) and linebacker Damien Wilson (57) pursue him in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys win 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys defensive stats:

Total yards per game- 358.5 (18th)

Pass yards per game- 276.3 (29th)

Rush yards per game- 82.3 (2nd)

Points per game- 19 (5th)

Total first downs- 255 (21st)

Third down conversion percentage- 41.4 (23rd)

Red zone TD scoring percentage- 54.76 (14th)

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Giants offensive stats:

Total yards per game- 327.4 (26th)

Pass yards per game- 249.9 (16th)

Rush yards per game- 77.5 (31st)

Points per game- 20.4 (23rd)

Total first downs- 219 (27th)

Third down conversion percentage- 35.1 (28th)

Red zone TD scoring percentage- 59.38 (12th)

As you can see, the Giants offense is average at best when it comes to statistics. They do not run the football effectively and they are near the bottom of the league in getting first downs and converting third downs.

The Cowboys defensive weakness is against the pass, and the Giants certainly have weapons in the passing game. However, if Dallas can control the line of scrimmage and stop the run, the Giants will be forced to pass which means more opportunities for forcing turnovers and accumulating sacks on quarterback Eli Manning.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys LT Tyron Smith vs Giants DE Olivier Vernon

Expect for this matchup to be an all out battle throughout the game. Tyron is one of the elite offensive linemen in the league and Vernon is one of the most complete defensive ends in the league.

Vernon is great when it comes to using different moves and fighting off of blocks both as a pass rusher and run defender.

Whoever gets the better of this matchup will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game.

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant vs Giants CB Janoris Jenkins

Dez and Jenkins have gone head to head on multiple occasions, with each player finding success at times.

Jenkins is extremely athletic and fast, but he is also aggressive and can jump to conclusions on routes which makes him susceptible to a double move.

Dez struggled in the first game against Jenkins this year. Hopefully offensive coordinator Scott Linehan will find ways to move Bryant around in formations and get Dez involved early and often.

Dez getting into a groove and then using a double move to beat Jenkins deep could be a game changing play.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) catches a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys secondary vs Giants receivers

With cornerback Morris Claiborne ruled out due to a groin injury suffered several weeks back, the Cowboys secondary will have their hands full on Sunday night.

Giants receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Victor Cruz are all great route runners that can separate and find open space against defenses.

The Dallas corners and safeties will need to keep chips on their shoulders and continue fighting and competing after they get beat, which is bound to happen throughout the game.

A key to this matchup will be how the Cowboys secondary tackles after the catch, as the Giants receivers are all capable of torching defenses once the ball is in their hands and they make it into the open field.

Cowboys run defense out of the nickel vs Giants run offense out of shotgun

The Giants struggled to run the football out of clear running formations in the first matchup. After Dallas proved to be effective in playing their gap assignments in the base defense, the Giants began to operate out of three wide receiver sets and run the football out of shotgun.

Running the ball out of shotgun was a key cog in the Giants’ formula for the Week 1 win. The Cowboys linebackers and defensive linemen need to get this problem fixed for the rematch if they want the results to fall in their favor.