Cowboys avoid crisis mode, but Micah Parsons’ injury is a cause for concern. The Dallas Cowboys secured a narrow victory against the New York Giants, allowing Dak Prescott and his teammates to breathe a sigh of relief — at least for now.
This hard-fought win echoed the Cowboys’ resilience last season, where they similarly managed tight victories en route to a third consecutive 12-win season and a playoff berth. The impact of this latest win on their overall performance remains to be seen.
With a record of 2-2, the Cowboys will enjoy some extra recovery time following their 20-15 win over the Giants before heading to Pittsburgh for a prime-time matchup on October 6. However, this upcoming game is overshadowed by the recent diagnosis of star pass rusher Micah Parsons, who is dealing with a high ankle sprain, according to NFL Network.
Head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the team’s focus, stating, “I think we do a really good job internally focusing on what we’re doing every day. I think sometimes our guys give honest answers to the questions from the externals and sometimes there are things that are said that really don’t reflect the way it is internally.”
Prescott’s victory against the Giants marked his 13th consecutive win over this rival, though it wasn’t without its struggles.
The game mirrored last season’s 20-17 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers, which followed a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It also resembled a 20-19 victory against the Detroit Lions, where the Cowboys overcame two prior losses to Buffalo and Miami.
Dallas did benefit from a controversial call against the Lions, where officials nullified a 2-point conversion that should have stood.
The Cowboys are not apologizing for their victories, past or present.
“Huge, especially when you compare it to the alternative,” Prescott remarked, reflecting on what a loss would have meant.
As they celebrate the win, the Cowboys must now closely monitor Parsons’ left ankle injury, which he sustained in the fourth quarter when an opponent fell on him while he was planting his leg.
Both Parsons and Lawrence are key figures in the Cowboys’ pass rush. The absence of either player could pose significant challenges for the team’s defense.
What’s working
The efficiency of the Cowboys’ offense has shown consistency amidst the ups and downs of the season thus far. While they managed to keep the Giants from scoring a touchdown, they did face challenges in halting drives. This meant that Prescott’s unit made the most of the opportunities they had.
In the game, Prescott completed 22 of 27 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions and just one sack. The Cowboys capitalized on their lone trip inside the 20-yard line by scoring a touchdown.
“We’ve got to continue to be pros,” Prescott emphasized. “That’s not done when you get a win, and that’s my point about how we’re not going to get overexcited, or hopefully the guys don’t listen to anything that’s being written about, good or bad.”
What needs help
The situation at cornerback for Dallas is becoming increasingly precarious due to injuries.
Andrew Booth, who was acquired from Minnesota late in the preseason, was selected to fill in for rookie Caelen Carson. However, Booth struggled significantly in the first half and was benched after halftime. Carson was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Booth, a second-round draft pick in 2022, has yet to find his footing with the Cowboys, mirroring his lack of success with the Vikings. Amani Oruwariye, who was elevated from the practice squad before the game, stepped in for Booth and made a game-winning interception in the closing moments.
DaRon Bland, who set an NFL record last season with five interception returns for touchdowns, is eligible to return from injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his foot. The Cowboys are hopeful he will be ready for the upcoming game against the Steelers.
The last time the Cowboys faced the Steelers was in 2016, during a season when Prescott was leading them on an impressive 11-game winning streak, ultimately earning him the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
