The first-half was not a pretty one for the Cowboys as they dropped three passes, jumped offsides four times, and missed a field goal. Kicker Dan Bailey, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, had a rough game missing his first two field goals of the season and an extra point. In all the defense was penalized six times.
Powered by a strong second-half, the Cowboys had one of their best offensive games of the season racking up 454 yards of offense, 18 first downs and converted 50% of third downs. Quarterback Dak Prescott led the way with 332 yards and three touchdowns on 20-of-30 passing. Running back Alfred Morris led in rushing with 62 yards on 19 carries. Running back Rod Smith led in receiving snagging five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Dez Bryant overcame two early drops to grab three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Linebacker Sean Lee returned for the first time in three weeks to lead the defense with a season-high 10 tackles and one interception. The defense made it tough for the Giants forcing two turnovers and holding them to 6-of-16 on third downs. Linebacker Anthony Hitchens also notched 10 tackles as well. The Cowboys received strong play from their secondary holding Giants quarterback Eli Manning to 228 yards and intercepting him twice.
The Cowboys struck first as Bailey hit a 21-yard field goal to cap off a 16-play, 73-yard drive that took 7:46 to take a 3-0 lead. The Giants responded with a 17-play, 62-yard drive that took 9:24 resulted in a 39-yard Aldrick Rosas field goal to tie it at 3-3 early second quarter. Following a stop, Bailey missed his first field goal of the season from 50-yards to keep it 3-3.
Late in the second quarter, Manning found tight end Rhett Ellison for a 1-yard touchdown to take a 10-3 lead. Four plays later Prescott hooked up with Bryant who shook cornerback Brandon Dixon and took it 50-yards for a touchdown to make it 10-10 at the half.
Bailey missed his second field goal of the day, this time from 50-yards to keep it 10-10 heading into the fourth quarter. Middle of the fourth quarter Prescott found wide receiver Cole Beasley who avoided a tackle and cut upfield for a 50-yard gain to the NYG 20-yard line. On the next play, Prescott hit tight end Jason Witten in the middle of the end zone to give the Cowboys a 17-10 lead.
On a 3rd and three at their own 19-yard line, Prescott rolled to his right and hit Smith who found a hole and exploded for an 81-yard touchdown giving the Cowboys a 23-10 lead after Bailey missed the extra point. On the following possession, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie’s deflected pass fell into the hands of Lee for the first turnover of the game giving the Cowboys the ball at the NYG 24-yard line. Three plays later Smith punched it in from 15-yards to take a commanding 30-10 lead late fourth quarter.
With 1:15 left in the game safety Jeff Heath intercepted Manning for the second time to secure the win and move to 7-6. The Cowboys will look to keep the momentum going as they travel to Oakland to take on the Raiders next Sunday on NBC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.