Dallas Cowboys beat New York Giants, assert dominance in NFC

The Dallas Cowboys improved to 6-1 as they defeated the New York Giants 31-21. The Cowboys once again relied on the legs of DeMarco Murray, and they certainly look like the team to beat in the NFC.

Although the game was tied at 14 going into halftime, the Cowboys would score 14 straight points to give them a 28-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The score was set up after a crucial fumble on third down by Giants’ tight end Larry Donnell. Donnell’s fumble in garbage time would put the final nail in the Giants’ coffin.

Eli Manning finished the game 21/33 with 248 yards and three touchdowns.

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Cowboys’ running back DeMarco Murray became the first player in NFL history to rush for 100 yards in the first 7 games, as he had 128 against Dallas. The Cowboys’ offense had a lot of success running the ball, and when they were not depending on Murray’s legs, they were feeding Dez Bryant.

Bryant finished the game with nine receptions for 151 receiving yards. Late in the fourth quarter the Cowboys were simply having their way with the Giants, much like they did last week against Seattle. The offensive game plan seemingly went something like this; run, run, pass to Bryant. Rinse, wash and repeat. Everything seemed to click for Dallas, and the days of blown fourth quarter leads seem to be a thing of the past. The defense is also coming together, which makes this a complete team.

Dallas is 6-1 for the first time since 2007.

With another win, the Cowboys are proving people wrong and showing why they are the team to beat in the NFC, and maybe the NFL. Tony Romo has been reliable, and the offensive line has another great outing, despite missing starting guard Doug Free.

It is all smiles in Jerry World.

The Giants’ offense lacked balance and explosiveness. The offensive line’s play was astronomically better than last week’s debacle in Philadelphia, but the group was still unable to avoid mental mistakes and make big plays.

Andre Williams does not strike fear into defensive coordinators’ eyes, and I can guarantee you Peyton Hillis does not either. New York desperately needs Rashad Jennings back so they can stop being so one-dimensional on offense. Odell Beckham Jr. had flashes of brilliance, but it was not enough to propel the Giants to a victory.

Beckham Jr. had two touchdown receptions.

With an impending bye week, I would not be surprised to see the Giants trade for Vincent Jackson. NFL.com reported Tampa Bay is open to trading the talented receiver, and the Giants should look into a trade.  If the trade was made sooner rather than later, Jackson would have a full week to get entrenched in the playbook and become comfortable in the offense. The receiving corps lacks leadership, and V-Jax would axiomatically help bolster the group. Regardless of whether or not the team trades for a playmaker, changes have to be made if the Giants want to have a shot in the NFC.