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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Henry

Giants vs. Cowboys: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 4

The New York Giants will battle their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 4 of the season.

Despite the two teams having the same record at the bottom of the NFC East, the Giants are currently home underdogs entering the game.

While the Giants are fresh off their first win of the season this past Sunday in Cleveland, the Cowboys have dropped two straight.

With both teams looking to get back to .500, here are three reasons for optimism for the Giants ahead of Week 4.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Giants revamped offensive line

To say the Giants’ offensive line has improved this season would be quite an understatement. We may just be three weeks into the season but the offensive line has played very well as a complete unit.

The offensive line has three new starters and a new offensive line coach which is all contributing to the best line play we have seen in probably over a decade.

The Giants’ O-line will have their hands full with Micah Parsons on Thursday. However, they should feel prepared coming off their matchup against Cleveland Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett.

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Momentum

The Cowboys may be the better team on paper but the Giants are coming off their first win in which their defense finally showed up in a big way — something we expected ahead of the season, especially the defensive line.

The Giants recorded 36 pressures on Sunday and getting the pass rush going could be just what the doctor ordered come Thursday. If they can make Dak Prescott uncomfortable, that would certainly help their chances of winning.

On offense, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has a new sense of confidence with the offense now running through his favorite target, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.

The momentum is something that could play into the Giants’ favor on Thursday.

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Giants’ rushing attack

Despite having a fumble in each of the last two games, Devin Singletary has been impressive over the first three weeks of the season.

Dallas has been near the bottom of the league against the run this year and this could be something head coach Brian Daboll will look to exploit early and often on Thursday.

Dallas ranks dead last in opponents’ yards per rush, rushing yards per game, and rushing touchdowns per game.

It will be telling if the Giants rely heavily on the ground attack in this one.

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