Cowboys vs. Giants third quarter recap: Dallas down 24-10

2 days ago7 min read

The third quarter at MetLife Stadium felt less like a desperate comeback attempt and more like the Dallas Cowboys had already mentally checked into their vacation plans, trailing the New York Giants 24-10 in a game that was supposed to matter. Coming out of halftime, the Cowboys' decision-making was the story.With the scoreboard showing a deficit, the team that spent all week talking about valuing a win curiously pulled quarterback Dak Prescott, along with star receiver CeeDee Lamb and the newly acquired George Pickens, handing the reins to rookie Joe Milton. It was a baffling pivot that spoke volumes, a move that felt like waving a white flag while insisting you're still fighting.In stark contrast, the Giants, playing for pride and perhaps some late-season momentum, operated with a crisp, urgent purpose. They marched downfield with an efficiency that shamed Dallas's first-half efforts, culminating in a Tyrone Tracy touchdown run.The score itself was almost a secondary event to the immediate scuffle that broke out, a messy skirmish that saw Cowboys defender Donovan Ezeiruaku ejected for removing a Giants player's helmet—a penalty that gifted New York a successful two-point conversion and summed up a day of self-inflicted wounds for Dallas. Milton, to his credit, showed flashes of his cannon arm and mobility, managing to drive the Cowboys into field goal range, but even the usually reliable Brandon Aubrey couldn't salvage the drive, pushing a 57-yard attempt wide right.It was that kind of afternoon for America's Team, where nothing clicked. Just as the game threatened to spiral into a full-blown embarrassment, a veteran presence emerged to provide a flicker of hope.Jadeveon Clowney, who had been a disruptive force all game, punched the ball loose from Giants running back Tyrone Tracy and recovered the fumble himself, a textbook play that momentarily stopped the bleeding and gave the Cowboys possession. The quarter ended with Dallas finally showing a pulse, driving into Giants territory, but the overarching narrative was already written: a team divided between its stated goals and its on-field actions, being outclassed and out-hearted by a division rival playing with nothing to lose.The first half set this frustrating table. After a sloppy start featuring a botched kickoff and a Dak Prescott fumble that gifted New York an early field goal, the Cowboys had briefly found a rhythm.Rookie running back Jaydon Blue looked electric, breaking off big runs and capping a drive with his first NFL touchdown to give Dallas a 10-6 lead. But the defense, despite valiant stands led by Clowney that forced New York to settle for field goals, kept bending.

#Dallas Cowboys

#New York Giants

#NFL game recap

#Joe Milton

#Jadeveon Clowney

#featured