Week 15 Recap: Giants VS Cowboys
via CBS
The Cowboys defeated the Daniel Jones-less Giants, clinching a playoff berth, 21-6 in the Meadowlands Sunday. Just when you thought it could not get worse for the Giants, Mike Glennon continued to prove people wrong. It was such an embarrassing outing for the 9-year vet, Jake Fromm saw time on the last drive of the game, giving Judge a lot to consider for next week, if Jones remains sidelined. All in all, Dallas played decently holding a comfortable lead all game, but it was turnovers which ultimately killed the Giants chances. Glennon ended the contest with 3 interceptions, the first to Anthony Brown off a QB hit, curtesy of Demarcus Lawrence, as he contacted the quarterback’s arm in the act of throwing. This came at the 6:37 mark in the first quarter on the Giants first drive of the game. The other two were complete bonehead mistakes. The first, intended for Kenny Golladay, was thrown up as a prayer towards the back of the endzone instead caught by Trevon Diggs, giving him 10 on the year in only 13 games. The other was thrown into double coverage, intended for Sterling Shepherd. While both teams ran the ball comfortably all game, Dallas held onto the ball and was able to capitalize early in the redzone. As for New York, penalties and turnovers hurt them all game. Cowboys sit atop the NFC East at 10-4 and the Giants fall to 4-10.
Shame:
Joe Judge: coached a poor game but wanted to highlight two important plays. Giants first drive of the second half ended with potential redzone penetration, but a holding call on 3rd down forces them to run on 3rd and 20 and kick yet another field goal. Also, the unsuccessful QB sneak on 4th and 1 on our own 29 with 5 minutes left to play in the 3rd quarter down 15-6. Not sure about this one.
Points: New York is averaging 17 points per game. Only the Jaguars and Texans average less.
Saquon Barkley: ran the ball 15 times for 50 yards and caught 4 receptions for 24 yards. While Saquon did catch a pass 6 yards behind the line of scrimmage with one hand on 3rd and 1 to pick up the first, his fumble to end the first half dropped his stock in this game.
Micah Parsons: Besides a savvy play on the ball on 3rd down in the redzone, breaking up a ball intended for Kenny Golladay, Parsons was invisible on the field.
Kenny Golladay: caught a 36-yard deep ball from Jake Fromm. Targeted 7 times, caught 3 passes. Was lucky the officiating crew did not overturn the 13 yard out route he dropped to brace his fall. Has yet to record a touchdown this season.
Matt Peart: had two false starts on the same drive. This Gettleman project is clearly over.
Collin Johnson: on the 1st play from scrimmage following the Cowboys field goal to make it a 9-3 game, Johnson fumbled off a play-action pass 15 yards down the field, almost untouched. Luckily the call was reversed, but for Johnson he may lose his job.
Jaylon Smith: surprisingly for Giants fans, Smith suited up and got some reps as #45. It seems as if our linebacking core is worse than we thought. Smith finished the game with 3 tackles.
Final 2 minutes of the 1st half: The Giants have now been outscored 65-0 this season. Zuerlein kicked a field goal after Prescott was sacked by both Azeez Ojulari and Quincy Roche at the 1:43 mark. After Saquon fumbled on his 3rd touch of the drive near midfield, forced out by Demarcus Lawrence, he kicked another to end the half.
Highlights:
Jake Fromm: an inspiring drive at the end of the 4th quarter in his first time on an NFL field. Ended the contest 6/12 from the field with 82 passing yards and a 72.2 passer rating. Targeted Golladay 3 times.
Lorenzo Carter: came away with some early stops and recorded a big sack on 3rd down forcing a field goal in the first half. Finished the game with 2 sacks.
Evan Engram: Had 4 catches for 33 yards including two first down catches on third down.
Dallas’ draw plays: Despite Mike McCarthy’s decision to call a running back draw with Ezekiel Elliot inside the 10-yard line on 3rd and 7, to only pick up 2, the Cowboys offense thrived on these calls. Recognizing the lack of linebackers in the middle of the field, the Cowboys utilized their speed and blocking against a withered New York linebacking core.
Dak Prescott: completed 28 out of 37 pass attempts for 217 yards and 1 touchdown. Did his job and helped Dallas win the football game.
Cowboy’s DL: played well against a weak offensive line. Demarcus Lawrence was the star, but everyone played an important role in getting pressure.
Tony Pollard: Had 12 carries for 74 yards, running effortlessly against New York. Being back from injury, he did not skip a beat. However, fumbled once.
What to expect:
There is a possibility Jones sits out the rest of the year. Look for more time from Jake Fromm.
Because the Eagles game was postponed to Tuesday night against the Washington Football Team, they are looking at minimal rest leading up to Sunday at home against the Giants.
With Shepherd out for the year after tearing his Achilles, look for more guys to get involved. Could see an increased role from Cooper, Pettis, or Johnson. Along with Ross and Toney after they are freed of health protocols.
A Vikings win over the Bears Monday will continue to hold the Giants’ 5th and 6th selections in the 2022 NFL Draft.
