The Cowboys are off from their needed bye week and should be well rested as they head back to MetLife Stadium, the spot where this team played its worst game of the season.
A loss to the Jets stung the Cowboys, but they at least recovered to beat the Eagles the next week and get into the bye week with a 4-3 record.
Now, they face a Giants team they beat 35-17 in Week 1 but things should look different this team with the Giants making a change at quarterback.
The DallasCowboys.com staff gives their 'gut feeling' for this Week 6 matchup between a pair of 3-1 teams.
Mickey Spagnola: He's got fresh legs, hardly played much this season with the Patriots. Has only played 11 snaps in basically a month, a combination of a bye and a one game-suspension in New England and then the Cowboys bye this past Sunday. That means my gut tells me veteran defensive lineman Michael Bennett is rarin' to go. Not only built up out of inactivity but also wanting to make an instant splash with his new coaches and teammates when the Cowboys face the Giants on Monday night. Watch for Bennett to rotate in as the under-tackle, especially in nickel-down situations, and also backup at defensive end. In two games last year with the Eagles playing against the Giants, Bennett totaled in 82 snaps seven tackles, two sacks, four QB hits, two tackles for losses and one forced fumbled. Put me down for two sacks.
Bryan Broaddus: The New York Giants are a different team offensively with Daniel Jones at quarterback and the staff is playing to his strengths. Golden Tate and Darius Slayton has made his life easier on the outside while Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram are two of the best the Cowboys will face this season. The Cowboys defensively will need to be outstanding in this game. They can't afford to have the breakdowns the last time they made this trip East. We'll see what the status of Leighton Vander Esch is this week but if he can't go Sean Lee and Joe Thomas will be ready. The Cowboys make enough stops and the offense takes advantage of them. Dallas 24 New York 16.
Rob Phillips:To me, Round 2 will come down to which team limits big plays. In that department the Cowboys did a solid job last time, save for Saquon Barkley's 59-yard run. Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has shown he'll test teams downfield, even at the risk of turnovers. Sometimes one play can be the difference, like the Jets' 92-yard score at MetLife three weeks ago. But the Cowboys' defense delivered easily its most complete performance against the Eagles and I believe that will continue. Offensively, the Cowboys have piled up 28 pass plays of at least 20 yards and converted 6 into touchdowns, fourth-most in the league. I think they'll make enough of those Monday to get to 5-3.
Nick Eatman: I don't think any of us believe it will be as one-sided as the first game with the Giants. And it's not just because the game is in New York, but Daniel Jones has the offense playing at a higher level. I do think the Cowboys are a better team this time around as well. I see the defense having another good game this week, maybe not with four turnovers, but I'll say two at least. The offense is finally healthy again and I'm expecting Tony Pollard to have a few more plays in the game plan. And I think the "Giant-Killer" Blake Jarwin strikes again for another touchdown. This one might take a little bit for the Cowboys to pull away but I think they eventually do so and right the wrong they had last month at MetLife Stadium. Give me the Cowboys in a 30-20 win.
David Helman:It feels like it's been 50 days since this team has played a game, so I'm approaching it like a fresh start. It's the second half of the season, the Cowboys are healthy and anything is possible. This attitude bit me three weeks ago, but I just don't see how this team can't be good enough to go to MetLife Stadium and pull out a win against a lesser team. The Giants' offense is good enough to be concerning with Daniel Jones, Golden Tate and Saquon Barkley in the lineup – but it's this New York defense I don't trust. I don't think the Giants are going to be able to pressure Dak Prescott, and I think he's going to have another field day like he did in Week 1. With everything clicking in the passing game, it should open things up just enough for Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard. Daniel Jones will play well enough to make it interesting, but Dak will throw for 330 and pull away. Cowboys win – something like 42-27.
