Game Preview of New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys. Week 2 of 2025 NFL Season
NYG
DAL
Game Preview
It’s Giants at Cowboys on Sunday, 14 Sept. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Dallas looks to steady the ship after a narrow Week 1 loss. New York tries to avoid another 0-2 start.
Early data points to a style clash. The Cowboys move the sticks, 63.6% on third down (small sample), and have a scheme that creates shots (7.7% scheme-explosive rate; strong percentile). The Giants’ defense has been decent at limiting third downs (63.6% stop rate), but Dallas’ balance and tempo can stress that.
Explosives likely decide the script. Dallas’ defense has allowed only 4.2% explosive passes (small sample). That squeezes a Giants passing game under pressure, especially if LT Andrew Thomas (Questionable) is limited. New York’s best path may be on the ground; Dallas has allowed explosive runs at a 7.9% clip.
Health is the swing factor. The Giants list Thomas, WR Malik Nabers, and DT Dexter Lawrence as Questionable. If Thomas sits or is limited, protection gets shaky. If Nabers plays but is less than 100%, chunk plays are harder to find.
Current Season Form
NYG
AwayDAL
HomeHead-to-Head Summary
Past Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-04 | @ PHI | L 20-24 | L 8.5 | u47.5 |
| 2025-01-05 | vs WAS | L 19-23 | L -7.0 | u43.5 |
| 2024-12-29 | @ PHI | L 7-41 | L 7.5 | o37.5 |
| 2024-12-22 | vs TB | W 26-24 | L -4.5 | o47.5 |
| 2024-12-15 | @ CAR | W 30-14 | W +2.5 | o42.0 |
| 2024-12-09 | vs CIN | L 20-27 | L -5.0 | u51.0 |
| 2024-11-28 | vs NYG | W 27-20 | W +4.5 | o39.0 |
| 2024-11-24 | @ WAS | W 34-26 | L 10.5 | o45.0 |
| 2024-11-18 | vs HOU | L 10-34 | L -7.5 | o41.5 |
| 2024-11-10 | vs PHI | L 6-34 | L -7.5 | u44.5 |
Key Insights
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Anchor spread: Cowboys -3.5 (-156). Hefty juice, but aligns with DAL’s drive-sustaining edge.
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Anchor total: 47.0 (Under -159 / Over +112). Market shaded to the Under.
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Third-down tilt: Dallas converts 63.6% on third down (sample 11; top tier).
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Explosive pass D (DAL): 4.2% allowed (sample 24; strong).
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Explosive run leak (DAL): 7.9% allowed (sample 38); NYG run game can test edges.
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Volatility watch (NYG): LT Andrew Thomas, WR Malik Nabers, DT Dexter Lawrence all Questionable.
Betting Insights
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Pick (Spread): Cowboys -3.5 (-156) Dallas sustains drives (63.6% on third down) and can pressure NYG if Thomas is limited. Note the juice.
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Lean (Total): Under 47.0 (-159) DAL’s defense has capped explosives (4.2% explosive passes allowed); NYG offense is 25% on third down (small sample). Price is steep.
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Dak Prescott over 1.5 Pass TDs (-139) Drive length + red-zone trips rise with that third-down rate.
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Russell Wilson under 205.5 Passing Yards (-119) Dallas shrinks deep windows; negative game script risk if pressure hits.
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Jake Ferguson over 4.5 Receptions (+104) Safety-valve on money downs; plus price.
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CeeDee Lamb over 6.5 Receptions (-120) Dallas’ scheme-explosive profile (7.7%) pairs with high target share.
Final Summary
Dallas has the cleaner path. The Cowboys’ early-season data shows a team that stays on schedule and creates favorable down-and-distance. That plays into a home cover at our anchor -3.5, though the price is heavy.
For totals, the Under 47.0 tracks with Dallas’ explosive-pass defense and New York’s early third-down struggles. If the Giants can’t protect, long fields and stalled drives keep points down. If they can run and pop a couple of explosives, the Over (+112) is your contrarian out.
Props lean toward Dallas volume. Prescott-to-Lamb and Ferguson on third downs fit the matchup. On the Giants’ side, Wilson’s passing yardage is a fade until protection and efficiency improve. Nabers brings upside if active, but his Questionable tag makes it a high-volatility bet.
Net-net: Cowboys to win more often, Under slightly more likely at this price range, and a few reception-based overs for Dallas pass-catchers. Manage the juice, respect the small samples, and scale stakes accordingly.
Statistical Battle Boards
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 20 | #16 | 21 | #13 | |
| Total Points Per Game | 20 | #16 | 21 | #20 | |
| Total Touchdowns | 2 | #12 | 3 | #26 | |
| Passing Touchdowns | 0 | #32 | 1 | #8 | |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 2 | #5 | 2 | #28 | |
| Other Touchdowns | 0 | #29 | 0 | #11 | |
| Total Kicking Points | 8 | #15 | 3 | #30 | |
| Total Two Point Conversions | 0 | #31 | 0 | #23 | |
| Kick Extra Points | 2 | #9 | 3 | #7 | |
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Passing Yards | 188 | #18 | 212 | #12 | |
| Net Passing Yards Per Game | 188 | #18 | 212 | #12 | |
| Passer Rating | 76.6 | #23 | 98.3 | #13 | |
| Passing Attempts | 34 | #13 | 30 | #13 | 🏈 |
| Completions | 21 | #14 | 19 | #21 | |
| Completion Percentage | 61.8 | #22 | 63.3 | #13 | |
| Passing 1st downs | 9 | #17 | 11 | #20 | |
| Passing 1st Down % | 40.9 | #28 | 44 | #8 | |
| Longest Pass | 32 | #16 | 34 | #13 | |
| Passing Fumbles Lost | 0 | #26 | 0 | #18 | |
| Receiving Targets | 33 | #13 | 29 | #22 | |
| Receptions | 21 | #14 | 19 | #14 | 🏈 |
| Receiving Yards After Catch | 75 | #22 | 97 | #19 | |
| YAC Average | 3.6 | #24 | 5.1 | #24 | 🏈 |
OffenseDefense| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 119 | #10 | 220 | #31 | |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 119 | #10 | 220 | #2 | |
| Rushing Attempts | 22 | #25 | 32 | #28 | |
| Yards Per Rush Attempt | 5.4 | #6 | 6.9 | #2 | |
| Rushing 1st downs | 7 | #10 | 11 | #30 | |
| 20+ Yard Rushing Plays | 1 | #10 | 1 | #2 | |
| Long Rushing | 49 | #4 | 42 | #6 | |
| Rushing Fumbles | 1 | #10 | 1 | #2 | |
| Rushing Fumbles Lost | 1 | #4 | 0 | #20 | |
