Dallas Cowboys 7-10 New York Giants
Monday 12 December 2016 07:14, UK
Odell Beckham Jr scored a 61-yard touchdown to give the New York Giants a 10-7 victory over division rivals, Dallas Cowboys. Terrance Williams gave Dallas the lead, but a 39-yard field goal and Beckham's catch-and-run score was enough to snap the Cowboys' 11-game win streak.
In 140 Characters...
Giants keep pressure on Dallas with win. Poor game from quarterback Prescott but a dynamic, defensive showing earns win for New York.
MVP
Janoris Jenkins kept Dez Bryant in check all night. One of New York's big free-agent signings, Jenkins has been telling anyone who will listen that he's a top five cornerback. Against the Cowboys, he added weight to that claim with a series of important plays, including an interception and cutting out a pass to Bryant in the final seconds.
Game-changer
New York scored a field goal in the third quarter, but it could have come sooner had it not been for the dropped catch by Odell Beckham Jr.
While others were ruing the missed opportunity, Beckham Jr made his next drive count, catching a short pass and running to the outside with blistering pace, all the way to the end zone for a 61-yard score. Though frustrating at times, Beckham showed his exceptional play-making ability that will be crucial come January.
Stat of the night
Two - Before this game, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had thrown just two interceptions all season. He doubled that tally against the Giants.
The game
Dallas took the lead with five minutes to go in the first quarter, Prescott leading the team 62 yards in ten plays. It was an experienced play from the rookie quarterback, selling a fake hand-off to Ezekiel Elliott before throwing 31 yards downfield to an open Terrance Williams.
New York looked to hit straight back, but Sean Lee made the tackle on Eli Manning, forcing the fumble which Cedric Thornton recovered for the Cowboys. Defences dominated throughout the first half, recording five sacks and three fumbles, as well an interception from Prescott, which was recovered by Jenkins.
The Giants got themselves on the board in the third quarter with a 38-yard field goal. Head coach Ben McAdoo would have been disappointed not to make it into the end zone, after seeing Beckham drop a comfortable catch.
However, the wide receiver made up for it on the Giants' very next drive, cutting across the field to make the catch before sprinting all the way to the end zone, outrunning helpless defenders for a 61-yard touchdown.
It proved to be the crucial score, with neither offence able to break down the opposition defensive units. Prescott put in a disappointing performance, throwing for just 165 yards a touchdown, as well as two interceptions and a fumble.
Dez Bryant had just one successful catch, as well as fumbling another, and despite another 100+ yard night for running back Ezekiel Elliott, the New York defence showed once again their play-off calibre with a series of important stops. The 11-game winning streak comes to end, but they do retain top spot in the NFC East and, more importantly, the No 1 play-off seeding.
If the Giants are to impress in the post-season, the offence need to find some rhythm. Beckham had 94 yards but only four receptions, and the running game averaged less than three yards a carry. That said, reigning champion Denver Broncos found Super Bowl glory built on a game-changing defence, and maybe McAdoo and the Giants can follow suit.
