After two defeats the Cowboys win 20-15 at New York, who also loses Nabers to a suspected concussion
Riccardo Pratesi
September 27 – 07:34 – MILAN
The Cowboys save face, it’s still too early to say if they will save a season that started badly, very badly. But they win in East Rutherford, home of the New York Giants, beaten 20-15 on Thursday Night which opens the fourth NFL day and thus raise their heads after two games lost at home against New Orleans and Baltimore. Dallas doesn’t amaze at all, but they go up to 2-2 in their record, making the minimum wage, still enough to beat the Giants, who slip to 1-3. They were facing two modest teams, the Boys compared to expectations, at least, New York overall and the pace of the match broken up by too many penalties did not help to enhance a reviewable show. The best was offered by the two extraordinary receivers on the gridiron: CeeDee Lamb, protagonist of a great first half for the guests, and the freshman Malik Nabers, who signed a great second half for those from the Big Apple. It wasn’t enough, however, and he even had to leave shortly before the end due to a suspected concussion. Insult on top of injury.
the pride of the boys
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The good news for Coach McCarthy is that the defense showed signs of growth after two embarrassing counterperformances, particularly against the run. This time he didn’t allow a touchdown to the Giants, who finished with 26 yards on 24 carries on the ground. The bad news is that Micah Parsons hurt his left foot towards the end of the match: an injury to be evaluated. Dak Prescott goes up 13-0 with a personal record against the Giants: he throws 22/27 for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns – Lamb puts his hand on his statistics – but as usual he messes up when the game is decided, this time then saved by the defense. The pain suffered by the left tackle, freshman Tyler Guyton, who was penalized by the pass rush, didn’t help him.
giants pigmei
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Daniel Jones didn’t play badly. He threw 29/40 and the interception with 5 seconds left on the desperation pass from midfield only counts for the statistics, not in the substance of the evaluation of his performance. But the runs didn’t exist and the receivers in Nabers are disastrous. The defense got away with it, but with no forced turnovers and just one sack. Not enough, in short. The personnel limitations are evident, the team fought, but it is a frustrating “I would like, but I can’t” for those who support a franchise with such great tradition.
the match
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Greg Joseph – after a refereeing trick that reversed an obvious penalty putting the home team at a disadvantage – hit the posts with the kick to make it 3-0 Giants from 52 yards. Lamb fuels the Cowboys’ attack, Rico Dowle, the running back, closes the drive with a 15-yard catch for the first touchdown of the game, 7-3 Dallas. From 41 yards Joseph closes the gap with a field goal to make it 6-7. The Boys respond: Lamb transforms a first-down reception into a 55-yard one, making it 14-6. Joseph’s third kick makes it 14-9 at half time. At halftime Lamb already had 94 yards of catches, the difference between the two teams. At the beginning of the second half New York’s 4th field goal arrives to make it 14-12, but Brandon Aubrey responds with a kick from 60 yards: 17-12 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Jones begins to methodically supply Nabers who sends the opposing cornerbacks to the madhouse – he will finish with 115 yards of catches – Joseph’s 5th kick brings his team back down: 17-15 now. Aubrey then extends the lead to 20-15 with 7 minutes left to play. A drop by receiver Wan’Dale Robinson loses the game for the Giants, who then fail to convert a 4th down midfield. Aubrey misses from 51 yards, his first career mistake from beyond 50, but with 28 seconds left on the clock in New York no miracles can happen: Jones is intercepted by Amani Oruwariye. Dallas doesn’t shine, but does enough to win.
