The pressure mounted for the Cowboys to match the Giants’ touchdown. After securing a first down, they faced a setback due to a personal foul on left tackle Chuma Edoga, which left them with a second-and-21. However, on the very next play, Rico Dowdle broke free for a 22-yard run, his longest of the season, moving the chains. He followed that up with another solid 13-yard gain. The Cowboys managed to get a field goal on the drive, but had they not converted on that second-and-long, the Giants could have extended their early momentum.
The Giants’ recovery of a fumble on the kickoff could have been a big break for them. After the Cowboys had just settled for a field goal and trailed 7-6, they nearly gained an advantage when they forced a fumble on a long return. However, the Giants managed to recover the ball at their own 40-yard line. In addition, special teams ace Juanyeh Thomas was injured during the play and did not return to the game.
In the second half, the Cowboys nearly squandered a golden opportunity after forcing a turnover. They were on the verge of scoring inside the 5-yard line when Cooper Rush was hit and fumbled, with the Giants recovering the ball in the end zone. Yet, after reviewing the play, officials determined Rush had been down before losing the ball, and the Cowboys retained possession at the Giants’ 2-yard line. On the ensuing third down, Rush threw a touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks, marking Cooks’ first game back after injury.
