New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats: Final Showdown 2026 Analysis

The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys wrote another exciting chapter in their long NFC East rivalry on January 4, 2026. Fans packed MetLife Stadium on a cold winter day, and the temperature sat at 33 degrees with a light wind blowing. This game meant different things for each team. The Giants wanted to finish their season on a high note, while the Cowboys looked to play spoiler and build momentum. When we dig into the New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats, one thing becomes very clear: young Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart showed up ready to prove something. He led his team to a 34-17 victory and snapped a personal losing streak against Dak Prescott that had lasted since 2016. The box score tells us the Giants racked up 380 total yards compared to the Cowboys’ 286. But numbers only tell part of the story. This game featured incredible individual performances, a few heated moments, and a rookie kicker who might have saved his job. Let me walk you through everything that happened on the field, player by player and stat by stat.

Game Summary and Final Score Breakdown

The final score read 34-17 in favor of the home team, but the path to that result took many twists and turns. The Cowboys struck first with a field goal, but the Giants answered back quickly. Dallas actually led 10-6 after the first quarter thanks to a 14-yard touchdown run from rookie Jaydon Blue. But the Giants took control in the second quarter and never looked back. They outscored Dallas 16-0 in the second frame and built a lead that the Cowboys could not overcome.

The new york giants vs dallas cowboys match player stats show a game that featured five lead changes and plenty of drama. New York held the ball for 33 minutes and seven seconds, which meant their offense stayed on the field and kept Dallas’s playmakers watching from the sideline. The Giants converted eight of fourteen third-down attempts, while the Cowboys managed just two of eight. Those numbers tell you who controlled the tempo. Turnovers also played a huge role. The Giants took the ball away twice and only gave it up once, giving them a plus-one advantage in the turnover battle.

Quarterback Duel: Jaxson Dart vs Dak Prescott

The quarterback matchup featured a veteran star and an exciting rookie. Dak Prescott started for the Cowboys and played the first half before giving way to Joe Milton after halftime. Prescott completed seven of eleven passes for 70 yards, but he could not find the end zone through the air. He also lost a fumble on a botched snap exchange, which led to a Giants field goal. That mistake hurt Dallas early and gave the home crowd something to cheer about.

Jaxson Dart, on the other hand, played the whole game and looked like a future star. The rookie from Ole Miss completed 22 of 32 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball five times for 32 yards and showed impressive poise in the pocket. His passer rating finished at 110.2, which tells you he made good decisions all afternoon. The most important number might be zero interceptions. Dart protected the football and gave his team chances to score. When you study the new york giants vs dallas cowboys match player stats, the quarterback comparison stands out as the biggest difference maker.

Giants Rushing Attack: Tyrone Tracy Jr. Shines Bright

Tyrone Tracy Jr. had himself a day against the Cowboys’ defense. He carried the ball 18 times and gained 103 yards, averaging a strong 5.7 yards per carry. Tracy showed great vision and patience, waiting for his blocks to develop before exploding through holes. He also caught eight passes for 56 yards and a touchdown, proving he can hurt defenses in multiple ways. His 103 rushing yards helped him surpass 1,000 total yards from scrimmage for the second straight season.

Devin Singletary chipped in with nine carries for 26 yards and a touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He also caught one pass for no gain. Singletary runs hard between the tackles and provides a nice change of pace from Tracy’s explosive style. The Giants finished with 161 rushing yards as a team on 32 attempts. That kind of production on the ground keeps defenses honest and opens up play-action passes downfield.

Cowboys Ground Game: Jaydon Blue Provides Spark

The Cowboys featured their own impressive rookie runner in Jaydon Blue. He carried 16 times for 64 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown on a 14-yard burst up the middle. Blue showed excellent burst and ran with authority between the tackles. His 27-yard run in the first quarter set up a field goal and demonstrated his home run potential. Phil Mafah added five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown of his own late in the game.

Dallas finished with 143 rushing yards on 30 attempts, which looks solid on paper. But the Cowboys fell behind early in the second half and had to abandon the run game to catch up. That situation limited their opportunities to grind out the clock and control the tempo. The New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats show Dallas averaged 4.8 yards per carry, which should have been enough to win if the game script had stayed close.

Receiving Corps: Gunner Olszewski Steals the Show

Gunner Olszewski became Jaxson Dart’s favorite target and delivered the best game of his career. He caught eight passes for 102 yards and consistently moved the chains on third down. Olszewski runs crisp routes and finds soft spots in zone coverage, which makes him a reliable safety valve for his young quarterback. His 28-yard reception in the first quarter set up a field goal and got the offense rolling.

Darius Slayton added four catches for 34 yards, though he nearly had a 72-yard touchdown that got called back due to offensive pass interference. Daniel Bellinger caught two passes for 38 yards, including a spectacular 29-yard touchdown on a shovel pass from Dart that had everyone comparing the rookie to Brett Favre. Tyrone Tracy Jr. caught eight balls out of the backfield for 56 yards and a score, making him a nightmare matchup for linebackers.

Cowboys Pass Catchers: Limited Opportunities

The Cowboys’ passing game never found rhythm, partly because Prescott left at halftime and partly because the running game could not sustain drives. George Pickens caught one pass for nine yards in his limited action. CeeDee Lamb also caught one pass for four yards before leaving the game early. Neither star receiver made a significant impact, which surprised fans who expected more from this talented group.

Ryan Flournoy led all Cowboys receivers with five catches for 68 yards. Brevyn Spann-Ford added two receptions for 30 yards, and Luke Schoonmaker caught one pass for 12 yards. Joe Milton came in at quarterback for the second half and completed seven of thirteen passes for 73 yards with one interception. The lack of explosive plays in the passing game hurt Dallas’s chances to mount a comeback.

Defensive Standouts and Game-Changing Plays

Bobby Okereke played like a man possessed for the Giants’ defense. He recovered a fumble in the first quarter and added an interception later in the game. His fumble recovery came on a botched snap between Prescott and his center, and that turnover led directly to a Giants field goal. Okereke also made tackles all over the field and provided veteran leadership for a young defense.

Jadeveon Clowney made his presence felt with two sacks and constant pressure on the quarterbacks. He tackled Tracy for a loss on one play and sacked Dart in the first quarter, showing why teams still fear his pass-rushing ability. The Giants’ defense held Dallas to just two touchdown drives, and one of those covered only 11 yards after a long kickoff return. They also limited the Cowboys to two of eight on third down conversions.

Special Teams Impact and Kicking Performances

Rookie kicker Ben Sauls might have secured his job for next season with a perfect performance. He made all four of his field goal attempts from 45, 35, 23, and 30 yards. Sauls finished the season eight for eight in his final three games after taking over the kicking duties midseason. The Giants have struggled with kickers for several years, so finding a reliable option like Sauls feels like a huge win.

Art Green made the play of the game on special teams when he downed a punt at the Dallas one-yard line in the first quarter. That field position pinned the Cowboys deep and led to a three-and-out. Green also made a touchdown-saving tackle on KaVontae Turpin’s 84-yard kickoff return, though the Cowboys scored two plays later anyway. The Giants’ special teams unit showed tremendous effort and gave the offense short fields to work with.

Drive Summaries: How the Scoring Happened

The first quarter featured three field goals and one touchdown. The Giants struck first after Okereke recovered Prescott’s fumble, setting up Sauls for a 45-yard kick. Dallas answered with a long drive that ended in a 22-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey. The Giants added another field goal before Jaydon Blue scored his 14-yard touchdown run to give Dallas a 10-6 lead after one quarter.

The second quarter belonged entirely to the Giants. Sauls kicked his third field goal from 23 yards out to make it 10-9. Then, Dart connected with Bellinger on that unforgettable 29-yard shovel pass touchdown, and suddenly the Giants led 16-10. The defense held firm, and New York carried that momentum into the locker room.

The third quarter saw the Giants extend their lead. Dart found Tracy for a 13-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point made it 24-10. Dallas answered with a one-yard touchdown run from Mafah, but the Giants still led 24-17 heading to the fourth.

The final quarter belonged to the Giants’ defense and special teams. Sauls kicked his fourth field goal from 30 yards to push the lead to 27-17. Singletary added a six-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring at 34-17.

Team Statistics Comparison

Coaching Decisions and Game Management

Mike Kafka called an excellent game for the Giants’ offense. He showed no fear in challenging calls and used the clock masterfully at the end of the first half. The Giants got the ball with 2:49 left, converted a second-and-21 situation, and scored a touchdown with 20 seconds remaining to take a 16-10 lead. That sequence changed the entire complexion of the game and showed why Kafka will be a head coach somewhere soon.

The Cowboys’ coaching staff made a curious decision to sit Prescott for the entire second half. They treated the game almost like an exhibition, while the Giants kept their starters in and played to win. That difference in approach showed on the field, as the Giants looked sharper and more focused throughout the final two quarters.

Key Player Grades and Performance Analysis

Jaxson Dart earned an A for his performance. He completed nearly 69 percent of his passes, threw two touchdowns, and protected the football against a talented Dallas defense. His ability to extend plays with his legs added another dimension that the Cowboys struggled to contain.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. also deserves an A grade. He topped 100 yards rushing and added 56 receiving yards with a touchdown. His versatility makes him one of the most dangerous weapons in the Giants’ offense.

The Giants’ defense earned a solid B-plus. They forced two turnovers, sacked the quarterback four times, and held Dallas to just 17 points. The only blemish came on the long kickoff return that set up an easy Cowboys touchdown.

Ben Sauls gets an A-plus for his perfect day. Four field goals in cold weather conditions showed mental toughness and technical skill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The new york giants vs dallas cowboys match player stats from January 4, 2026, tell the story of a young team playing with purpose against a veteran squad that looked ready for vacation. Jaxson Dart announced himself as the clear future of the Giants franchise with his poised performance. He outplayed Dak Prescott, protected the football, and made plays with his arm and legs. Tyrone Tracy Jr. proved he belongs in the conversation with the NFL’s best young running backs. His 159 total yards from scrimmage showed off his explosive ability and versatility.

The Giants’ defense deserves credit for shutting down a talented Cowboys offense. They forced turnovers, generated pressure, and made big stops when the game hung in the balance. Ben Sauls might have solved the Giants’ kicking problems that have plagued the team for years. His perfect day from long range gives fans hope for the future.

For Cowboys fans, this game raises questions about the direction of the franchise. Sitting Prescott for the entire second half felt like waving a white flag. The defense could not stop the Giants when it mattered most. But the emergence of Jaydon Blue provides a reason for optimism. His 64 rushing yards and first NFL touchdown showed flashes of stardom.

What did you think of this classic NFC East battle? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Which player surprised you the most? Are the Giants finally building something special? Let me know, and do not forget to share this article with fellow football fans who love digging into the numbers behind the game.