The Dallas Cowboys will end their regular season in the Big Apple, facing off against their longtime NFC East rivals, the New York Giants.
On the surface, the Dallas Cowboys Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants appears to be all but meaningless. Last weekend, America’s Team was able to secure the NFC East crown and lockdown a playoff spot, making this upcoming matchup a minor speed bump before their postseason berth.
Still, there are some intriguing reasons to watch this divisional battle. Here are six Cowboys players we’ll be watching closely who need to get something out of this “meaningless” contest against the Giants.
Tavon Austin, WR
After posting two touchdowns in his first three games in Dallas, the former eighth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft has been sidelined with a groin injury since mid-October. If Austin is going to make any sort of contribution in the playoffs, he’ll need to shake off the rust against the Giants.
Sean Lee, LB
Speaking of rust, Lee has only played in six games this season due to a hamstring injury. And in his place, first round rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has become a superstar in the making, leading the team in tackles (131 combined) despite only starting in 10 games. Lee needs to get some snaps against New York if a rotation between himself , Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith is going to be effective in the postseason.
Rico Gathers, TE
In his first year as part of the active roster, and without Jason Witten to hoard all the snaps, the ultra-athletic Gathers has been a ghost on the field this season. If the former basketball player hopes to be on the roster in 2019, showing out in this meaningless matchup could be enough to earn him another shot.
Taco Charlton, DE
After a solid showing in training camp, Charlton failed to demonstrate that development on the field this season. The 2017 first round selection was buried on the depth chart by the coaching staff following a shoulder injury, resulting in him getting a total of four defensive snaps between Week Nine and Week 15.
Dallas gave Taco 46 defensive snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, posting five total tackles as a result. Charlton should get plenty of opportunities against the Giants to give fans hope he’ll someday live up to his lofty draft status.
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Byron Jones, CB – Chidobe Awuzie, CB
Jones and Awuzie have been one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL in 2018. But neither has posted a single interception in 2018. They’ll get their last chance to record a regular season takeaway against Eli Manning and the Giants on Sunday.