Matchday 5, AT&T Stadium, New York Giants, 2021.
Curious how things happen, being the fifth day of 2020 when the future of Rayne Dakota Prescott fell to the tackle of safety Logan Ryan of these same New Yorkers. The reality is that that dramatic moment spawned a resurgent and improved cowboy quarterback who is suddenly rubbing shoulders with the best in the league.
McCarthy himself has said that the player’s work ethic and the rehab process he launched into with his boots on now has Prescott without even having to think about that October afternoon a few years ago. In fact, Prescott himself has said it, don’t even ask me if my ankle or arm has recovered, to finish soon.
The past, past … as the immortal José José would say.
The present is that the hosts of Joe Judge arrive with an ordinary team dancing 1-3 after the victory over the Saints at their indoor home of horrors on Bourbon Street. Daniel Jones was able to draw water from the well down at 21-10 in the fourth quarter to resurface along with Saquon Barkley into overtime that worked in his favor.
At this point they are the 14th total offense, 21 running the ball and 7th when throwing it, while their defense is 22nd total, 20 before the carry and also 20 before the pass. As this cowboy team is playing, those numbers should not be very conspicuous of red alerts, being this moment where the home team runs one where the enemy could be overconfident.
If the Cowboys return to the formula that has given them three consecutive victories, solid shared running game, offensive line passing sentence, aerial weapons darning commanded by the RoboQB of the moment, the task will be that the blue-silver defense can reach Jones, close the land roads and again unleash a Trevon Diggs who is going through a great time.
The odds say so, having the Cowboys favorite by seven points, but being a game of very familiar rivals, and with the idea that anything could happen, I pass on my 5 Keys to the Game.
Key 1. There is no comparison. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is known for being conservative and old-fashioned, setting up the running game and then looking to stretch the playing field. In his first four outings, the opposing markers did not allow him this luxury to the degree that his quarterback is the leader in yards per carry, which is simply not a good thing. The problem is that Barkley, far from being the offensive spark plug at this point, does not have any backing, as in the case of the Elliott / Pollard duo, taking into account that behind him are Devontae Booker and Elijhaa Penny that between the two they combine for just eleven carries for 33 yards, compared to Barkley’s 52 carries for 186 yards. In the case of Elliott / Pollard, this offensive machine is combined for 101 carries for 592 yards, and after the imbalance against Tampa in the opening game, this fact has given Kellen Moore the peace of mind of being able to close games to his own liking. .
Key 2. Aerial circus. The Cowboys sail with offense number three total, two carrying the ball and 14 passing. With the presence of Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and a respondent Cedric Wilson, the cowboy passing game is unrivaled, considering that tight ends Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin also have something to scare the opponent with. In fact, all five have lost a score. On the side of the Giants, the air show is not the same, considering that injuries to Sterling Sherpard and Darius Slayton leave them out for Sunday, leaving the plate to a Kenny Golladay who will have rookie Kadarius Toney and veteran as support. John Ross, a refugee from his stints with the Cincinnati Bengals. Add in that tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Evan Ingam combine for just 13 catches for 115 touchdown yards while the Schultz / Jarwin duo are on 29 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns, they are hard numbers to ignore.
Key 3. The pressure is brought by those. Being a divisional game and knowing that a victory puts them on the handlebars while sinking their rival, it is a moment of collective pause. Of course you want to win all the games, but in this case it is like doubling the bet at the blackjack table, understanding that in the end the divisional champion goes to the annual tournament. Far from coming out confident, these cowboys can come out safe in the sense that wherever they see it, this tractor is perfectly aligned, carbureted and ready for the challenge, which again is playing your own game, running the clock and hitting the quarterback. opposite field. NFL 101. Elementary. People like Osa Odiguizuwa, Tarell Basham, Randy Gregory, Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch have combined for nine sacks, with Parsons leading with 2.5 under his belt. Gregory practiced limited due to knee discomfort, while the comeback of Carlos Watkins is awaited, to add more pepper to the broth. There is no doubt it will be a long day for Jones and company if things continue the same for Dan Quinn’s pupils.
Key 4. The depth of the perimeter. The departure of Jaylon Smith brings new clarity to the linebacker crew, and the return of Keanu Neal is an essential part of this new air. People like Luke Gifford and Jabril Cox could serve well beyond their special teams responsibilities, and in Cox’s case it seems time to see their cover skills, particularly against the dangerous Rudolph and Engram as tight ends. With the resurgence of pressure between Parsons and others at the opposing quarterback, keeping Barkley in the box becomes imperative, considering that cornerback Diggs along with safeties Devontae Kazee, Malik Hooker and Jayron Kearse are in place to spread contact and look for interceptions before a Giants air squad that brings the wet powder. The attraction of the moment is Trevon Diggs, who after four games already has five interceptions, something that speaks of the pressure exerted by the strikers and the rarefied air that the new player is going through in just his second season.
Key 5. Rivalries that weigh. They are with this 119 editions of a Giants-Cowboys, and even when on paper everything seems to be on the side of the host, these confrontations always bring a more powerful octane. In 2016, these G-Men dominated the Prescott / Elliott youth duo in their two games, leading to seven straight wins for the Cowboys, culminating in a 23-19 loss in the East Rutherford swamps on January 3. leaving aside the still unlikely chances of going to the postseason. For the Giants, someone has to raise their hand and play like they haven’t played at this point in the season. Jones could be uncovered if Barkley responds early, or Golladay himself could unbalance by connecting with his quarterbacks, and even veterans Kyle Rudolph or Evan Engram could come out of his cave. Everything is possible. Leonard Williams is a threat as a defensive lineman, even though the barely six sacks speak again of a defense that has not performed as intended by now, and the absence of Jabrill Peppers is a factor. But …. these are also paid and if suddenly the return of Jason Garrett to his old lair, among other factors, could inspire a sudden improvement, then hence the motto that, “on any Sunday. ….. “
