The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious situation after suffering two consecutive losses, making it crucial for them to secure a victory. This upcoming matchup against the New York Giants presents an ideal opportunity for the Cowboys to turn their fortunes around, especially with the game scheduled for Thursday Night Football. The Giants recently achieved their first win of the season, but their narrow 21-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns left much to be desired in terms of performance and confidence. The Cowboys must capitalize on this moment to regain momentum and assert their dominance.

In his third season as head coach, Brian Daboll has faced significant challenges with the Giants. After a promising first season that led to a playoff appearance and a Wild Card victory, Daboll received an extension for quarterback Daniel Jones. However, Jones’s performance has raised concerns, leading to doubts about his long-term viability. The Giants experienced a setback last season, finishing with a disappointing 6-11 record, prompting questions about the effectiveness of their roster and coaching strategies moving forward.

In response to last year’s struggles, Daboll made pivotal changes to the coaching staff. While retaining offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and enhancing his title to include “assistant head coach,” Daboll took over offensive playcalling responsibilities for the upcoming season. The team also parted ways with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who resigned in frustration after Daboll dismissed two of his top assistants without prior consultation. To fill the void, Daboll hired Shane Bowen, who previously directed the Tennessee Titans defense for four seasons, aiming to instill a fresh perspective on defensive strategies.

As the Giants enter a critical season, they are equipped with new voices on both sides of the ball, which could prove pivotal. Daboll is now tasked with revitalizing Jones’ career, which is under contract until 2026 but includes an opt-out clause after this season. To support this effort, the Giants drafted Malik Nabers, a standout wide receiver from LSU, with the sixth overall pick, opting for him over promising quarterbacks such as JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and Bo Nix. This strategic move reflects their commitment to providing Jones with a reliable target as they seek to improve their offensive output.

Currently, Nabers is fulfilling his role as a primary offensive weapon for the Giants. Through three games, he leads the NFL in targets, and he ranks fifth in receiving yards, showcasing his immediate impact on the field. Daboll has prioritized integrating Nabers into the game plan, consistently featuring him in plays. However, this focus also underscores the lack of depth and talent among the Giants’ receiving corps, which has led to a heavy reliance on the rookie’s skills.

Beyond Nabers, only one other player on the Giants has received more than 10 targets thus far, which is third-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. Unsurprisingly, Robinson is also the only other player on the roster with double-digit receptions. The team’s third-most productive pass catcher is running back Devin Singletary, which starkly illustrates the limited offensive versatility outside of Nabers. This situation emphasizes the urgent need for the Giants to develop additional playmakers to support their offensive ambitions.

From a strategic standpoint, Daboll brings a wealth of experience from his coaching career, particularly his successful tenure as the offensive coordinator for Josh Allen in Buffalo. His ability to blend various offensive concepts tailored to Allen’s unique skill set was instrumental in the Bills’ success. This season, Daboll has implemented several strategies reminiscent of his time in Buffalo, notably increasing the team’s passing attempts to stretch opposing defenses and create opportunities for big plays.

The Giants’ offensive achievements during the 2022 season were largely due to their emphasis on quick releases and efficient passes. Daboll aims to replicate that success this year. Currently, Jones ranks 10th in average time to throw but has the ninth-lowest air yards per attempt. This statistic highlights ongoing issues with the offensive line, as Jones continues to face pressure, ranking 10th in the league for pressure rates. The performance of the offensive line remains critical for the Giants’ ability to execute their game plan effectively.

Presently, the Giants’ offensive strategy heavily revolves around getting the ball into Nabers’ hands. Any defense that can effectively contain this key receiver has a significant chance of disrupting the Giants’ offensive flow. However, this task is easier said than done. If opposing defenses can force Jones to hold onto the ball just a moment longer, it allows pass rushers to disrupt his rhythm, often leading to his less favorable decision-making tendencies.

On the defensive side, Bowen has struggled to meet expectations following the Giants’ acquisition of star edge rusher Brian Burns. Bowen’s approach significantly contrasts with Martindale’s blitz-heavy strategy, as he prefers to rush four players while selectively choosing when to send additional blitzers. His preference for zone coverage schemes also diverges from Martindale’s aggressive press-man tactics, which has resulted in a mixed performance on the field.

To date, the results have been inconsistent. Burns has secured only one sack among nine pressures, placing him 26th among edge rushers. His counterpart, Kayvon Thibodeaux, has yet to register a sack and has recorded only six pressures, ranking 51st. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has had a notable impact, achieving three sacks and 17 pressures. However, the bulk of the team’s pass rush effectiveness stems from Lawrence’s contributions and well-timed blitzes, indicating a reliance on specific players to generate pressure.

Opposing offenses have adapted to attack this defensive unit by utilizing quick passing games, as the Giants are currently facing one of the fastest average release times against them. Additionally, strong running games have exploited the Giants’ vulnerabilities, as only five teams are surrendering more rushing yards per carry. The Cowboys are unfortunately among those teams, allowing significant yardage and ranking second in rushing yards allowed over expected, underscoring a worrying trend. They are also tied with the Giants for the most yards allowed after contact.

In summary, the Giants may have introduced new voices to their coaching staff this season, but the persistent talent deficits that contributed to their 6-11 finish last year remain evident. In fact, the skill gap between the Giants and the Cowboys appears to have widened, with several of the Giants’ weaknesses aligning perfectly with the Cowboys’ game plan. On paper, this sets the stage for what should be a highly winnable game for the Cowboys on Thursday night.