Position battleground (defense): Cowboys vs Giants head-to-head breakdown

Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming game for the Dallas Cowboys. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams stack up against each other

DEFENSIVE LINE
The issues with the defensive line persist, as evidenced by their performance last week against the Baltimore Ravens, where they were easily overpowered yet again. Mazi Smith was easily shifted off the line multiple times. DeMarcus Lawrence struggled to maintain his position on the edge and appeared to be out of sync. Carl Lawson participated this week, contributing eight snaps, during which he performed adequately. Micah Parsons is experiencing a challenging start to his 2024 season; he found it difficult to penetrate the Ravens’ backfield, despite Mike Zimmer utilizing him in various positions along the line. He did succeed in forcing a pass from Lamar Jackson and quickly rushed through the A-gap to reach him. However, his performance in run defense was notably inconsistent.

This week, the Giants’ offensive line ranks among the top ten in terms of pressures allowed, highlighting a significant weakness within the team. Pressuring Daniel Jones and compelling him to make mistakes will be crucial in disrupting their offense. Should this defensive line falter in this regard, particularly in the run game that is currently subpar in New York, the situation could reach five-alarm very quickly.

The Giants’ defensive line stands out as a significant strength for the team in the pass rush. They have established a clear identity, which is currently a major contributor to the team’s recent momentum. Presently, the team has 14 sacks and has recorded a total of 64 pressures, surpassing Dallas in this regard. Dexter Lawrence is at the forefront, leading the team in both pressures and sacks, demonstrating his effectiveness as a defensive tackle over the past few seasons. On the edges, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux have collectively generated 15 pressures, while Azeez Ojulari has bolstered the defense with two sacks to date.

However, the run defense remains a concern for this unit, as they are conceding an average of 132 rushing yards per game, placing them among the bottom ten in the league, although they have only permitted one rushing touchdown. This performance is notably superior to Dallas, which ranks last in both rushing touchdowns allowed and average rushing yards per game.
Win: Giants

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

LINEBACKER
The current situation for the Cowboys linebackers is quite challenging. The lack of firmness in the defensive line has resulted in a series of unfortunate events for this group of linebackers. The frequency of missed tackles among the Dallas defenders is alarmingly high, which not only exhausts the players but also permits an excessive amount of unnecessary rushing yards. Players such as Damone Clark and Eric Kendricks are exerting considerable effort to rectify the situation. Collectively, the linebackers have recorded seven missed tackles this season, a stark contrast to Clark’s performance last year, where he had only one missed tackle throughout the entire season.

Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke serve as the primary linebackers for the Giants, collectively achieving nine pressures and four sacks. McFadden, utilizing his speed, has been effective in reaching the ball carrier and quickly closing in when unimpeded. Currently, the Giants’ defense is heavily focused on pass rushing, employing both linebackers frequently in blitzing situations

Conclusion:
The Cowboys’ offense has been operating in a one-dimensional manner, which aligns seamlessly with the playing style of the Giants. Consequently, the Giants’ most significant vulnerability, their run defense, is not confronted with a substantial challenge from the Cowboys’ running game, allowing them to focus on their strengths
Win: Giants

Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Caelen Carson encountered difficulties in his previous matchup against the Ravens, a situation that was anticipated in last week’s article. This week, Carson may not play due to injury. A significant point of interest in this matchup is the confrontation between Trevon Diggs and Malik Nabers. During the offseason, Nabers expressed his eagerness to compete against Diggs and emerge victorious. Recently, Nabers had an impressive performance, accumulating 78 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Conversely, Diggs is contending with a defensive line that has struggled to apply pressure, allowing three receptions on four targets.

Deonte Banks, the Giants’ first-round draft pick from the previous year, has commenced his second season on a positive note. He has permitted a completion rate of 56% thus far and recorded two pass breakups; however, he has also allowed three touchdowns, which is a concern. The agile defensive back aims to challenge CeeDee Lamb, who has experienced a sluggish start to the season. Safety Jason Pinnock has made an impressive impact with three sacks this season, although he has also recorded four missed tackles. Veteran corner Adoree Jackson and rookie corner Dru Phillips from Kentucky have both been ruled out of the game.

Conclusion:
The defensive backs of the Cowboys possess considerable talent; however, they are encountering challenges due to the support they receive from the defensive line. Meanwhile, the Giants are up against the top team in the league for passing yards, facing the formidable duo of CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson.
Win: Cowboys

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

SPECIAL TEAMS
The “Aubrey Coast” offense remains in full swing, and the team is fortunate to have him on board. Last week, Aubrey successfully converted two field goals, including an impressive 65-yard attempt. He also added one extra point, positioning him as the league leader in kicking.

Although Graham Gano is designated as the team’s kicker, he has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury and is expected to be unavailable for several more weeks. In the interim, Greg Joseph has been signed and is likely to take on the starting role this week.

KaVontae Turpin had a limited impact as a returner last week, recording two fair catches, but he did manage to score a touchdown on offense, reducing the team’s deficit late in the game. Eric Grey currently ranks third in total kickoff return yards and 25th in punt return yards.
Win: Cowboys

Poll
Which team has the better defense?

29%

Dallas Cowboys

(13 votes)

70%

New York Giants

(31 votes)

44 votes total

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