What's Happening?
The New York Giants concluded their season with a 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, marking the Cowboys' second consecutive losing season. The game, held in East Rutherford, New Jersey, saw Giants' rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart throw two touchdown passes, bringing his season total to 15. The Giants' win, coupled with other NFL results, removed them from contention for a top-two draft pick, securing the No. 1 pick for Las Vegas. The Cowboys, who finished the season with a 7-9-1 record, benched quarterback Dak Prescott at halftime, and defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. This loss ended the Cowboys' nine-game winning streak against the Giants, a streak that dated back to the 2020 season finale.
Why It's Important?
This game
highlights significant challenges for the Dallas Cowboys, who have now experienced back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2002. The performance of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart for the Giants suggests a promising future for the team, despite their overall poor season record. For the Cowboys, the loss raises questions about the future of their coaching staff, particularly defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, whose unit allowed over 30 points in the game. The outcome also affects the draft positions, with the Giants moving out of the top two picks, impacting their strategy for the upcoming NFL draft.
What's Next?
The Cowboys are expected to evaluate their coaching staff, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer likely to return, but changes among assistants, including Eberflus, are possible. The Giants, meanwhile, are set to begin a coaching search, with the role of general manager Joe Schoen in this process yet to be determined. Both teams will look to address their weaknesses in the offseason, with the Cowboys focusing on defensive improvements and the Giants on building around their promising rookie quarterback.
