The New York Giants (1-3) face their long-time rivals, the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys (3-1), this Sunday down in Arlington.
Here are the major storylines ahead of the Week 5 tilt.
Shepard, Slayton out again
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton have been ruled out for the second consecutive game with hamstring injuries. Guard Ben Bredeson will also miss his second straight game with a hand injury. Safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) has also been ruled out this week.
Safety Logan Ryan (hip), defensive tackle Leonard Williams (knee), offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (knee) and tight end Kaden Smith (knee) were all limited on Friday.
For Dallas, two main offensive keys — ringing back Ezekiel Elliott (knee) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (hamstring) — have been listed as questionable for this game.
Fending off the Dak attack
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott broke his ankle and was lost for the season last October in Dallas’ win over the Giants. New York won the second meeting in January but they still does not help their futility against Prescott.
Dak is 7-2 lifetime verse the Giants with 17 touchdown passes and and average of 263 yards passing per game. He’s healthy again and the Giants’ 20th ranked offense will be up against it, especially without starting safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) this week.
Jumping on the Jones bandwagon
AP Photo/Ron Jenkins
For the first two seasons of Daniel Jones’ career he could do nothing right in the eyes of NFL critics. They can’t be blamed for that as Jones was a turnover machine who cost the Giants ballgames.
So far this year, Jones has thrown just one interception — a Hail Mary that ended the first half last week down in New Orleans — and has lost just one fumble.
Analysts can’t contain themselves these days in praising Jones, who has become a top 5 fantasy quarterback in 2021.
Changing the losing culture
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
The comeback overtime win down in New Orleans was a huge boost to this Giants club that had been losing games in the last minute. They turned the tables on the Saints last week and now know what it’s like to comeback and win a game. They look to continue that against a Dallas defense that has been very leaky this year.
Toney, Toney, Toney
AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney had a breakout game last week against the Saints with six receptions for 78 yards but that wasn’t what caught the Giants’ eye.
Toney showed his trademark elusiveness after the catch, which has the Giants wanting to get the football into his hands more. This excites Giant fans, who have been watching vanilla offensive football for far too long.
