New York Finishes The Season With Dallas
The New York Giants will look to finish their season on a high note when they host division rival Dallas on Sunday while Dallas will look to closeout the regular season with a win.
Dallas who is in first place in the NFC East comes into the game with a record of 9-6 while New York who is last in the division come into the game with a record of 5-10.
As for the New York Giants previous game, they were topped by Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Despite leading from the opening moments to the final minute, the Giants fell, 28-27, when Andrew Luck threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Chester Rogers with 55 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. That completed a 21-10 second-half surge by the Colts, who trailed by 10 points at halftime. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
The Giants had a final opportunity to pull the game out, but Eli Manning’s deep pass down the middle to Bennie Fowler was intercepted by safety Malik Hooker at the Indianapolis 35-yard line with 23 seconds left. It was the only Giants’ turnover of the game. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
This was the third road game this season in which the Giants opponent scored its game-winning point in the final minute of the fourth quarter (also at Carolina and Philadelphia). “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“Right is right. You win or you lose, and we didn’t win,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “…They made enough plays to win and we didn’t at the end, hard-fought game and we came out on the losing end.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“This game obviously hurts,” running back Saquon Barkley said. “You know every loss hurts but when you come down to the wire and don’t find a way to finish it definitely hurts a little bit more.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
The loss dropped the Giants to 5-10. Their final game will be at home against Dallas next week. Indianapolis, 9-6, won for the eighth time in nine games, and will travel to Tennessee for a ’win, you’re in” game. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
For a while, it seemed the Giants would spoil the Colts’ party. They scored touchdowns on each of their first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead into the second quarter. Barkley (one-yard run) and tight end Scott Simonson (three-yard reception) got the scores. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
Nyheim Hines cut the Colts’ deficit in half with a one-yard touchdown run. But Aldrick Rosas’ 40-yard field goal 1:10 before halftime increased the Giants’ lead to 17-7. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
In the third quarter, Luck threw a two-yard scoring pass to Dontrelle Inman to make it 17-14, but the Giants responded with an 85-yard drive that ended with Manning’s touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The visitors seemed to be in command at 24-14 with 3:42 left in the third quarter.”according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
And then the game started to get funky. On the Colts’ ensuing possession, they had a first down on the Giants’ 15 when Luck was sacked by Olivier Vernon and fumbled. The ball was recovered by defensive lineman B.J. Hill, seemingly a huge turning point in the game. But the takeaway was nullified when cornerback Janoris Jenkins was penalized for holding. Two plays later, Marlon Mack scored on a three-yard run. Thirty-two seconds remained in the third quarter and the Giants’ lead was down to 24-21. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
The Giants soon had a first down at the Indianapolis 15-yard line, and then a second-and-two at the seven. But they settled for Rosas’ 27-yard field goal, robbing them of four points that proved to be the difference in the game. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“To not get a touchdown when we were down there that last time and had to settle for a field goal, it was tough,” said Manning, who completed 25 of 33 passes for 309 yards. “We got second-and-two from the (seven) and then can’t get a first down. Then go backwards on second down. So we’ve got to do a better job there. Did a lot of good things throughout the game, but obviously not just quite good enough.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
The defense forced a Colts punt with 6:41 left, giving the Giants a chance to bleed enough time off the clock to clinch the game. But the ball was downed at the four-yard line. Penalties by Simonson and center John Greco – the latter negating a nine-yard gain - kept the Giants deep in their own territory. They punted from the six. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“We were backed up and at one point I thought of maybe taking a safety there” Shurmur said. “We had been punting the ball well, so they still had to go the better part of the field to score a touchdown. I just let the punt team handle it and they did a good job with it.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
But the defense couldn’t close the deal. The Colts took possession at their own 47 with 3:43 to play, needing a touchdown. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
Luck threw a third-down incompletion, but got another set of downs from the Giants’ 44 when linebacker Tae Davis was penalized for pass interference. The Colts’ quarterback then scrambled for 14 yards before completing four consecutive passes to give Indianapolis a first down at the Giants’ eight with 1:03 remaining. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
On the next play, cornerback B.W. Webb picked up a pass interference penalty, moving to the ball to the one. Luck then found Rogers for the deciding touchdown. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“I can’t really get into the officiating or anything, but it’s tough, man,” Webb said. “It hurts.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27 “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
But the Giants still had a chance to execute their own late-game heroics, taking possession at their 25 with 55 seconds left and one timeout. On first down, Barkley caught a six-yard pass, but stayed inbounds to keep the clock moving. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27 “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“(Getting out of bounds) is what he should have done,” Shurmur said. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
Engram then picked up a first down at the 36 and stopped the clock. Had Fowler been able to come up with the next pass, the Giants would have been within Rosas’ range for a game-winning field goal. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“Just trying to hit Bennie running down the middle,” Manning said. “I thought I threw it in a pretty good spot, but obviously just a little high. It’s one of those deals – throw high over the middle, those guys are going to make a play. But I thought I threw it in a spot where he could make a catch on him and get a chunk right there. Kind of had a double move called on the outside. Those situations, you’re in a bit of – you’ve got to take a shot. You’ve got to take a chance and get a chunk play. I thought I threw a pretty good ball, but obviously not.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“We were just taking a shot down the field,” Shurmur said. “We had three receivers up the field and they split the safeties on us and he tried to take a shot on them. I don’t fault that. We had to get the ball down the field anyways.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
The Giants were left to explain another disheartening defeat. “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
“It hurts a lot, man,” Webb said. “I hate losing, I’m sure everybody else in this locker room hates losing, too. It sucks. It’s just not fun, man. I know outside looking in, people think we don’t have anything to play for, but we’re playing for each other in here, we’re playing for jobs next year so guys can come back. Everybody in here is playing for their family. So it hurts, it hurts to lose.” “according to https://www.giants.com/news/giants-can-t-hold-late-lead-fall-to-colts-28-27
As for Dallas’s previous game, unlike New York they won their previous game as they topped Tampa Bay.
The Dallas Cowboys got back on track in their final home game of the regular season, providing an early Christmas present for their fans thanks to a 27-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the win, the Cowboys wrapped up a division crown for the 24th time in their long history, which also marked the second NFC East title in the last three seasons and their third in the last five. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
In doing so, the Cowboys rode a defense that was outstanding for most of the day. The unit did surrender 383 total yards of offense to Tampa Bay, but Dallas limited the Buccaneers to only 68 yards rushing, produced three sacks, eight quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, six passes defensed and, of course, two key turnovers. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
They carried the load for an offense that often struggled. Dak Prescott’s stat sheet certainly looked good, as he completed 80 percent of his passes and posted a passer rating of 106.8. But the team as a whole had only 232 yards of total offense with Ezekiel Elliott rushing 18 times for 85 yards. They were also hampered by several unfortunate penalties. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
No matter, it was enough to get the job done on this day.”according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
The game got off to a scary start, though, when defensive end Tyrone Crawford went down with an injury on the second play of the Buccaneers’ opening possession. He was carted off with a neck strain, and while he showed movement in his arms and legs, he was taken to a local hospital to be further evaluated. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
With the Dallas defense clearly shaken, Winston then immediately connected with receiver Mike Evans for 38 yards down the left sideline. But from there, the Cowboys found their legs and limited the visitors to a 37-yard field goal. It would be the first and last time Dallas would trail in the game. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
Prescott came right back and led his troops 75 yards to pay dirt, completing 4-of-5 passes for 50 yards, which included a honey of a throw to Michael Gallup along the right sideline for a nice 31-yard gain. Prescott eventually wrapped up the drive by taking the read-option himself off left tackle the final 7 yards to the end zone. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
And then for the first time all season, the defense came up with a score. Early in the Buccaneers’ next possession, defensive end Randy Gregory was called for offsides on a third-and-4, giving Tampa Bay a first down. But six plays later, with the Bucs now facing a third-and-5 at the Cowboys’ 34-yard line, Gregory came in from behind Winston, knocking the ball loose from the quarterback with a sack. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
Picking up the bouncing ball was linebacker Jaylon Smith, who then raced 69 yards untouched down the left sideline for the touchdown, giving the Cowboys a 14-3 lead heading into the second quarter. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
The two teams went on to trade field goals, Tampa Bay good from 45 yards with Brett Maher later splitting the uprights from 59 yards out for the Cowboys. That came with 1:43 left in the half, which was just enough time for the Buccaneers to mount one last drive. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
They took advantage. Helped by a pair of penalties – one for roughing the passer on Gregory and then an unnecessary roughness call on safety Xavier Woods – Tampa Bay reached the end zone in just eight plays with running back Jacquizz Rodgers powering in from the 2-yard line to narrow the score to an uncomfortable 17-13 at the break. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
Dallas would start the third quarter with the ball, but the offensive struggles that plagued the team at the end of the first half carried over, the Cowboys going a quick three-and-out. After Tampa Bay missed a field goal from 52 yards, Dallas then started at its own 42 and worked its way down to a first-and-goal at the Buccaneers 10-yard line. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
But while Tampa Bay had allowed a touchdown every previous time they’d faced a first-and-goal this season, Dallas’ red-zone woes continued. The Cowboys couldn’t punch it in, settling for a 20-yard field goal, although extending their lead to 20-13. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
The Dallas defense, however, certainly wasn’t struggling as Gregory again came up big. When the Buccaneers mishandled a handoff at their own 23-yard line, the defensive end eventually fell on the prize back at the Tampa Bay 4. And this time, the Cowboys capitalized as Prescott lofted a pass to Gallup in the back right corner of the end zone for the touchdown and a now breathable 27-13 advantage. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
Not that Tampa Bay didn’t make it interesting. After being stopped on fourth-and-6 at the Cowboys’ 7-yard line, the Buccaneers came back on their next possession and this time reached pay dirt. Traveling 71 yards in eight plays, Winston found Evans in the middle of the end zone from 7 yards out to close the gap to 27-20 with only 2:04 remaining on the clock. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
But Leighton Vander Esch, who finished with a game-high 15 tackles, fell on the ensuing onside kick to give Dallas the ball. And with the Buccaneers out of timeouts, the Cowboys got the first down they needed to run out the clock. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
The win improved Cowboys’ record to 9-6 on the season, ensuring a winning record for the third straight year. That’s the longest stretch since the team finished above. 500 in five consecutive seasons from 2005-09. “according to https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/game-recap-division-champs-after-27-20-win
Kick-off is set for 1:00pm from Metlife Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox.