Cowboys Inch Close to Playoff Berth as D, Lawrence Dominate – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

It’s said defense wins championships and no one in the NFL can play D better right now than the Dallas Cowboys.

DeMarcus Lawrence was forced to once fumble and make two other big plays that led to 15 points and the Dallas defense was forced to make four turns in the third game in a row on Sunday. The Cowboys moved closer to their first playoff berth since 2018 with a 21-6 victory over the New York Giants.

“We were the best defence,” said Trevon Diggs flatly after scoring his 10th interception of the top-flight season, falling short of the team record set by the Everson Walls in 1981.

Lawrence said the defense was the best he’d played in his eight seasons.

“It’s great to be in a team with a solid defence,” he said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

It’s been an odd season for the Cowboys (10-4), who also received a touchdown pass from Dak Prescott and a 13-yard TD from Ezekiel Elliott to win their third straight, all-around win. both on the road.

The offense, which also featured three goals from Greg Zuerlein, brought the team in the first six or seven games. The defense has shouldered the burden ever since.

Dallas should have earned a playoff spot with a loss or draw against New Orleans at Tampa Bay on the night, but the Saints beat the Buccaneers 9-0. The Cowboys had lost their chance a few hours earlier when San Francisco beat Atlanta 31-13.

Graham Gano kicked on targets at 35 and 42 yards as the Giants (4-10) lost their third game in a row with substitute Mike Glennon taking the lead for injured Daniel Jones (neck).

This game is not nearly the score. The Cowboys were never followed and the giants never looked threatening in front of the defence, also receiving interceptions from Jourdan Lewis and Malik Hooker.

Lewis’ pick came after Lawrence hit Glennon while he was throwing. It resulted in Elliott’s TD having a draw. Prescott’s 1-yard TD pass to Dalton Schultz was limited to a short drive in the third quarter that began after Lawrence and Neville Gallimore beat Glennon in 4 and 1 sneaks from New York 29.

Prescott finished 28 of 37 for 217 yards. Schultz caught all eight of his targets within 67 yards.

“It’s certainly disappointing, as I said, the defense is doing a great job serving us, giving us the ball in plus range, and we have to find a way to get it in the area. last area,” Prescott said. “It’s that simple, and I’m sure we’ll make it.”

Having broken his leg most of the season, Lawrence scored 10 of 15 points in the first half. His hit on Saquon Barkley forced Carlos Watkins to recover at Giants 46 with: 41 left in the inning. Zuerlein, who missed an extra point after Elliott’s touch, hit goal 27 yards away, in the third half of the half. He also converted from 26 and 42 yards, but missed two extra points kicking into a gust of wind.

“Fantastic. I expect DeMarcus to do that in every game,” Diggs said. our guy. So I expect that from him all the time. He’s a great player.”

Three interceptions gave Dallas the league-highest 23 picks.

The Giants’ important achievement is ending rookie Micah Parsons’ winning streak in six consecutive games. New York wasn’t blown away this time either; it dropped a 44-20 decision in Dallas on October 10.

“Self-inflicted wound,” said Glennon, who completed 13 of 24 of 99 yards and three interceptions before being freed by Jake Fromm. “There were a couple of times when we moved the ball well and then just ended up scoring on the pitch, and then a couple of silly decisions on my end that forced the ball to be not a good decision.”

BET

The Cowboys’offense and defense have a bet that was negotiated by Lawrence and Prescott on Saturday.

“I’ll let everyone know the defense is kicking our[butt],” Prescott said. “But it was first leg versus touchdown and they clearly won this game. But we will make sure that they continue. ”

When asked how much the reward was, Prescott said they would calculate it later.

Illnesses

Cowboys: Dallas did not report any injuries. OT Tyron Smith missed the game because of an ankle injury.

Giants: WR Sterling Shepard tore his Achilles tendon late in the game. RB substitute Gary Brightwell left early with a neck injury. Wingers Adoree Jackson (quad) and Aaron Robinson, wide forwards John Ross and Kadarius Toney and wingers Cam Brown and Oshane Ximines were placed on the COVID-19 bench last week and did not play.

NEXT:

Cowboys: back home to play Washington next Sunday for the second time in three games.

Giants: head down to the New Jersey Turnpike to play the Eagles on Sunday.