The Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats have one of the most storied rivalries in the NFL, and their 2024 Thanksgiving Day matchup at AT&T Stadium was no exception. With both teams navigating challenging seasons, the game offered fans a mix of grit, surprises, and standout performances. The Cowboys emerged victorious with a 27-20 win, snapping a six-game home losing streak, while the Giants fell to 2-10, marking their eighth straight loss to Dallas. Let’s break down the key player stats, memorable moments, and what this game meant for both teams, all in a way that’s easy to follow for fans of any age.
Game Overview: Cowboys Triumph in a Hard-Fought Battle
On November 28, 2024, the Cowboys and Giants faced off in a classic NFC East showdown. The game was a tale of two teams dealing with significant injuries, especially at the quarterback position. Dallas, without their star quarterback Dak Prescott due to a season-ending hamstring injury, leaned on backup Cooper Rush. The Giants, meanwhile, turned to Drew Lock, as Tommy DeVito was sidelined with a forearm injury. Despite the challenges, both teams delivered a competitive game filled with big plays, defensive stands, and a few costly mistakes.
The Cowboys’ defense was the difference-maker, racking up six sacks and a pivotal interception returned for a touchdown. On offense, running back Rico Dowdle shone brightly, while rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers kept the Giants in the fight. Below, we’ll dive into the standout player performances, team stats, and what the numbers tell us about this Thanksgiving thriller.
Key Player Stats: Dallas Cowboys
Cooper Rush (Quarterback)
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Passing: 21 of 36 completions (58.3%), 195 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
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Rating: 82.5
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Notable Moment: Threw a crucial touchdown pass to keep Dallas ahead
Cooper Rush stepped up in the absence of Dak Prescott, managing the game with poise. While his completion percentage wasn’t stellar, he avoided turnovers, which was critical against a Giants defense known for creating pressure. His touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks helped maintain Dallas’ lead, and his ability to stay calm under pressure was a big reason the Cowboys secured their first home win of the season.
Rico Dowdle (Running Back)
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Rushing: 22 carries, 112 yards, 1 touchdown
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Receiving: 1 reception, 7 yards
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Notable Moment: First career 100-yard rushing game
Rico Dowdle was the star of the Cowboys’ offense. His 112 rushing yards marked a career milestone, and his 22-yard run in the first quarter set the tone for Dallas’ ground game. Dowdle’s touchdown run in the third quarter extended the Cowboys’ lead, and his ability to break tackles and gain tough yards kept the Giants’ defense on its heels. This performance solidified Dowdle as a key piece of Dallas’ future backfield.
DeMarvion Overshown (Linebacker)
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Defensive Stats: 1 interception (returned 23 yards for a touchdown), 1 fumble recovery, 1 tackle
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Notable Moment: Pick-six that shifted momentum
Second-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was a game-changer on defense. Early in the second quarter, he read a screen pass from Drew Lock to Devin Singletary, tipped the ball, caught it, and sprinted 23 yards for a touchdown. This pick-six gave Dallas a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Overshown also recovered a fumble in the third quarter, showcasing his speed and instincts. His performance earned him high praise and marked him as a rising star.
Micah Parsons (Linebacker)
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Defensive Stats: 1.5 sacks, 3 tackles
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Notable Moment: Relentless pressure on Drew Lock
Micah Parsons continued to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. His 1.5 sacks were part of Dallas’ six-sack onslaught, disrupting the Giants’ rhythm all game. Parsons’ ability to collapse the pocket forced Lock into hurried throws, including the interception that led to Overshown’s touchdown. His performance underscored why he’s one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
KaVontae Turpin (Wide Receiver)
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Receiving: 4 receptions, 53 yards
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Notable Moment: Key catches to sustain drives
KaVontae Turpin, known more for his return skills, made an impact as a receiver. His 53 yards on four catches included several clutch grabs that kept Dallas’ offense moving. Turpin’s speed and elusiveness added a spark, showing he could be a bigger part of the Cowboys’ passing game moving forward.
Brandon Aubrey (Kicker)
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Kicking: 2 of 2 field goals, 2 of 2 extra points
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Notable Moment: 23-yard field goal to open scoring
Brandon Aubrey remained reliable, connecting on both field goal attempts, including a 23-yarder early in the game. While he didn’t attempt any of his signature long-range kicks, his consistency helped Dallas maintain their lead.
Key Player Stats: New York Giants
Drew Lock (Quarterback)
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Passing: 21 of 32 completions (65.6%), 178 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception
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Rushing: 4 carries, 57 yards, 1 touchdown
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Notable Moment: 28-yard scramble to set up a touchdown
Drew Lock made his first start for the Giants, showing flashes of potential but struggling under pressure. He completed 65.6% of his passes but was sacked six times, losing 47 yards. His interception, returned for a touchdown by Overshown, was a turning point. However, Lock’s mobility was a bright spot, as he led the Giants with 57 rushing yards, including a 28-yard scramble that set up a touchdown and an 8-yard touchdown run late in the game. Despite the loss, Lock showed he could keep plays alive with his legs.
Malik Nabers (Wide Receiver)
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Receiving: 8 receptions, 69 yards
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Notable Moment: Led all receivers in catches
Rookie sensation Malik Nabers continued his impressive season, hauling in eight catches for 69 yards. His performance pushed his season total to 75 receptions, the most by any player in their first 10 career games in NFL history. Nabers was Lock’s go-to target, consistently finding ways to get open despite tight coverage. His ability to make tough catches kept the Giants’ offense alive, though they couldn’t convert drives into enough points.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Running Back)
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Rushing: 9 carries, 32 yards, 1 touchdown
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Receiving: 2 receptions, 33 yards
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Notable Moment: 1-yard touchdown run
Tyrone Tracy Jr. scored the Giants’ first touchdown on a 1-yard run, capping a 13-play, 70-yard drive. His 32 rushing yards and 33 receiving yards showed his versatility, though the Giants’ run game struggled overall. Tracy’s touchdown gave New York an early 7-3 lead, their first since Week 5, but the offense couldn’t sustain that momentum.
Devin Singletary (Running Back)
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Rushing: 7 carries, 23 yards
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Notable Moment: Started over Tracy but struggled to find room
Devin Singletary returned to the starting lineup but managed just 23 yards on seven carries. The Cowboys’ defense, led by Parsons and Overshown, bottled up the Giants’ run game, limiting Singletary’s impact. His inability to break free highlighted New York’s offensive line struggles.
Adoree’ Jackson (Cornerback)
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Defensive Stats: 7 tackles (4 solo), 1 pass defensed
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Notable Moment: Stepped up in place of Deonte Banks
With Deonte Banks sidelined by a rib injury, Adoree’ Jackson made his first start of the season. His seven tackles and a pass defensed showed his veteran presence, but the Giants’ secondary couldn’t contain Dallas’ passing game entirely. Jackson’s effort was solid, but the lack of a pass rush limited the defense’s effectiveness.
Graham Gano (Kicker)
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Kicking: 2 of 2 field goals, 2 of 2 extra points
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Notable Moment: 46- and 47-yard field goals
Graham Gano was perfect on his kicks, hitting field goals from 46 and 47 yards. His reliability kept the Giants in the game, but the offense’s inability to score touchdowns meant his efforts weren’t enough.
Team Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats Comparison
|
Stat |
Cowboys |
Giants |
|---|---|---|
|
Total Yards |
317 | 247 |
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Passing Yards |
195 | 178 |
|
Rushing Yards |
122 | 69 |
|
Turnovers |
0 | 2 |
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First Downs |
21 | 17 |
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Possession Time |
31:36 | 28:24 |
|
Sacks |
6 | 0 |
The Cowboys dominated in total yards and possession time, thanks to their balanced attack and stingy defense. The Giants’ two turnovers—a fumble and an interception—proved costly, while Dallas’ zero turnovers kept them in control. The Cowboys’ six sacks compared to the Giants’ zero highlighted the defensive disparity, with Dallas’ front seven overwhelming New York’s offensive line.
Game Highlights and Turning Points
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Giants’ Early Lead: The Giants opened with a 13-play, 70-yard drive, culminating in Tyrone Tracy’s 1-yard touchdown run. This gave New York a 7-3 lead, their first since Week 5, showing they could move the ball against a tough Cowboys defense.
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Overshown’s Pick-Six: The game’s momentum shifted when DeMarvion Overshown intercepted a Drew Lock screen pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown. This play put Dallas ahead 13-7 and energized the home crowd.
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Cowboys’ Defensive Dominance: Dallas’ six sacks, led by Micah Parsons’ 1.5, disrupted the Giants’ offense all game. Drew Lock faced constant pressure, leading to hurried throws and a third-quarter fumble recovered by Overshown.
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Rico Dowdle’s Breakout: Dowdle’s 112 rushing yards, including a touchdown, gave the Cowboys a reliable ground game. His 22-yard run in the first quarter set up an early field goal, and his third-quarter touchdown extended the lead to 20-10.
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Late Giants Push: Drew Lock’s 8-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left brought the Giants within 27-20, but the Cowboys’ defense held firm, sealing the win with a diving catch by Brandin Cooks on a crucial first down.
What the Stats Tell Us
Cowboys’ Strengths
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Defensive Pressure: The six sacks tied their season high, showing their ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. Micah Parsons and DeMarvion Overshown were relentless, making life difficult for Drew Lock.
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Balanced Offense: Rico Dowdle’s 112 rushing yards complemented Cooper Rush’s 195 passing yards, giving Dallas a versatile attack. Avoiding turnovers was key to maintaining control.
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Home Win Breakthrough: The victory ended a six-game home losing streak, boosting morale for a team still fighting for playoff relevance despite a 5-7 record.
Giants’ Struggles
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Offensive Line Woes: The Giants’ offensive line couldn’t protect Drew Lock, allowing six sacks and stifling the run game (69 total rushing yards). This limited their ability to sustain drives.
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Turnovers: Lock’s interception and fumble were momentum-killers, with the pick-six proving especially costly. The Giants’ two turnovers compared to Dallas’ zero were a major factor in the loss.
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Injury Impact: Key absences like Dexter Lawrence (elbow) and Deonte Banks (rib) weakened the Giants’ defense, which failed to record a sack for the second straight game.
Standout Performers
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Rico Dowdle (Cowboys): His first 100-yard game showed he could be a workhorse back, providing balance to Dallas’ offense.
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DeMarvion Overshown (Cowboys): His pick-six and fumble recovery were game-defining plays, marking him as a defensive star in the making.
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Malik Nabers (Giants): Despite the loss, Nabers’ eight catches reinforced his status as one of the NFL’s top young receivers.
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Drew Lock (Giants): While his turnovers hurt, his 57 rushing yards and late touchdown showed potential as a dual-threat quarterback.
The Bigger Picture: Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats Rivalry and Season Context
The Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats rivalry is one of the NFL’s most intense, with Dallas now leading the all-time series 77-47-2. The Cowboys have dominated recently, winning 15 of their last 16 meetings, including eight straight. For the Giants, this loss marked their seventh consecutive defeat in 2024, dropping them to 2-10 and eliminating them from playoff contention. The Cowboys, at 5-7, kept their slim playoff hopes alive but face an uphill battle.
Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks from Week 1—Dak Prescott for Dallas and Daniel Jones for New York (who was released earlier in the season). The game highlighted the resilience of both squads, with backups like Rush and Lock stepping up, but also exposed their limitations. The Giants’ inability to score touchdowns (settling for two field goals) and the Cowboys’ ability to capitalize on turnovers were the difference.
Why This Game Matters
For Cowboys fans, this win was a moment of relief. After a tough season and a six-game home losing streak, the victory showed that Dallas still has fight. Rico Dowdle’s emergence and DeMarvion Overshown’s breakout performance gave fans something to cheer about heading into the final weeks. For Giants fans, the loss was another tough pill to swallow in a disappointing season, but Malik Nabers’ historic rookie campaign and Drew Lock’s flashes of potential offer hope for the future.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys head to Cincinnati to face the Bengals in Week 14, hoping to build on their two-game win streak. The Giants return home to face the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens in back-to-back weeks, looking to snap their losing streak. Both teams will need to address their injury issues and find consistency to finish the season strong.
Conclusion
The 2024 Thanksgiving clash between the Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats was a gritty, hard-fought battle that showcased standout performances from players like Rico Dowdle, DeMarvion Overshown, and Malik Nabers. The Cowboys’ defense and balanced offense proved too much for the Giants, who struggled with turnovers and a porous offensive line. While Dallas celebrated a much-needed home win, the Giants were left searching for answers in a tough season. This game was a reminder of why this rivalry captivates fans, with every play packed with intensity and drama.