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Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants: Know Thy Enemy

By Terence Watson

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 19: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys intercepts a pass in the endzone that was intended for Kenny Golladay #19 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 19, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 19: Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys intercepts a pass in the endzone that was intended for Kenny Golladay #19 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 19, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 18: Leonard Williams #99 and Jihad Ward #55 of the New York Giants signal against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 18: Leonard Williams #99 and Jihad Ward #55 of the New York Giants signal against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

What We Think The Giants Defensive Gameplan Will Be

If the Giants aren’t able to get going early on offense, they are going to be relying on their defense to keep the game within reach. Their defense has been without two starting pass rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari who’ve both been out recovering from injuries.

They’re also without cornerback Aaron Robinson as well. However, the NY defense is still holding teams to just 18 points per game this season. Those injuries haven’t stopped this team from being able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks thanks to their big bodies up front creating space for their linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties to blitz off the edge and up the middle.

Defensive coordinator Don Martindale has done an excellent job of putting his players in the best positions to make an impact in games.

Martindale’s knack for putting his players in positions to succeed will be tested against the Cowboys after seeing just how impactful Cooper Rush can be under center.

Instead of being able to only focus on Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, New York also has to worry about a backup QB who was surprisingly accurate and efficient at times. This is going to put more pressure on the Giants’ secondary which has been the primary source for their pass rush in the first two weeks. In order to combat this, look for the Giants to try and create a lot of confusion at the line of scrimmage for this young Dallas offensive line.

If they can do that and get defensive linemen and linebackers free to put pressure on Rush, they can drop their safeties back to help defend against CeeDee Lamb and Noah Brown. They are also going to try and trick Rush himself by creating the illusion of a potential blitz off the edge and dropping back in order to cut off passing lanes.

If they are able to do both of these things then the Giants’ defense has a good chance of keeping the Cowboys’ offense in check. They could also get a boost if either pass rusher is able to come back this week. Time will tell if they are able to suit up.

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