EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants get a chance to celebrate their first victory of the season.
The Giants (1-2) got it Sunday with a 21-15 win on the road in Cleveland despite fumbling the opening kickoff and being down 7-0 after 11 seconds.
It was their second solid game in a row after struggling against the unbeaten Vikings in the season opener. They are a game out of first place in the NFC East.
And now the Giants face a quick turnaround as they play on Thursday night. After two weeks on the road, the Giants return home to face their nemesis, the Dallas Cowboys (1-2), who have lost two in a row.
Quarterback Dak Prescott has won his past 12 starts against New York and the Cowboys have won six straight and 13 of 14. Last season, Dallas won the two games by a combined 89-17 margin, including 40-0 at the Meadowlands in the season opener.
What’s working
The Defense. After not allowing Washington to score a touchdown in a 21-18 loss, Shane Bowen’s unit held Cleveland to 217 yards and had eight sacks. It was the fewest yards allowed by New York since Carolina gained 173 yards three years ago. Cleveland also was limited to 69 rushing yards. While the Browns scored 15 points, seven came after Eric Gray fumbled the opening kickoff.
What’s not working
Ball security. In the past two games, the Giants have had crucial mistakes. Besides the Gray fumble, running back Devin Singletary lost a fumble on the team’s opening second-half possession for the second straight week. Malik Nabors dropped a short fourth down pass deep in Commanders territory late against Washington.
Stock up
QB Daniel Jones. The 27-year-old is playing well. Jones completed 24 of 34 passes for 236 yards and for the second straight game, threw two touchdown passes without an interception. Both TDs went to Malik Nabers. Jones’ passer rating was 109.4.
Stock down
K Greg Joseph. In his first game for the Giants, Joseph made three extra points, but missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt with three minutes left that would have iced the game.
Injuries
Cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree Jackson left the game with calf injuries. Wide receiver Darius Slayton left with a thumb injury but returned. ILB Micah McFadden left with a back issue and came back.
Key number
9 — The Giants became the fourth team to have nine different players get at least half a sack in the same game since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic. They joined the Buffalo Bills (2011), Dallas (1985), and Kansas City Chiefs (1985). DT Dexter Lawrence led the team with two.
What’s next
The Cowboys on Thursday. There is not much time to prepare for this one. Both teams are 1-2.
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