Cowboys floundering final shot, down 2 scores at halftime to Giants

The Dallas Cowboys entered this game with hopes that they could represent the NFC East in the playoffs. To do so, they’d need some help on Sunday Night Football, but first they must take care of their own business in New York.

Unfortunately, the Giants have been whooping them since the opening drive of the game, and find themselves up 20-9 at the halftime break. New York drove down the field with ease to start the game, scoring a touchdown on a 23-yard run by wideout Sterling Shepard. Hobbled QB Daniel Jones then found Shepard on a TD catch as well as journeyman Dante Pettis to throw for 150 yards and two scores and pile up a 138.9 rating.

Dallas quarterback Andy Dalton has been largely inept, missing receivers left and right, and high and low. Dallas tried to mount drives as the second quarter closed, but trailing 13-3 ran a run play on 3rd and 12 then kicked a field goal on fourth down, clearly signaling their lack of confidence in the passing game. The Giants answered with a touchdown.

On the next drive, Dallas tried to spike the ball to save their last timeout, but Connor McGovern moved at right guard, setting themselves up for a 57-yard field goal attempt that Greg Zuerlein was able to nail as time expired.

Dallas won the toss and deferred, so they will get the ball back to start the third quarter.

Halftime Stats

Andy Dalton: 11/20 passing, 99 yards, 68.5 rating.
Ezekiel Elliott: 7 rushes for 27 yards, 1 reception for 9 yards
Tony Pollard: 2 rushes for 0 yards, 2 receptions for 8 yards
Dalton Schultz: 3 receptions 29 yards
CeeDee Lamb: 2 receptions, 20 yards
Jaylon Smith: 7 tackles

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