The bow tied to the Cowboys’ 2025 season is knotted with a loss to the New York Giants. The last time the Giants beat the Cowboys was 5 years ago- January 3rd, 2021.
On Sunday, Jaxson Dart rallied in his first start against Dallas and delivered a 34-17 victory, which swiftly removed the Giants from the #2 pick in the NFL Draft.
The game showcased the 2025 Cowboys well, a defense that has problems tackling and stopping short throws from becoming big gains. But as we saw in the past few weeks, an offense that has definitely not been the same group they were all year.
A lot was talked about for Dallas to win out and get into the postseason, while the long shot should have been recognized. Dallas winds up losing 4 of their last 5 games, despite their three-game win streak coming out of the bye week.
The Cowboys run defense was non-existent as Tyrone Tracy Jr posted season highs in carries (18), yards (103), and explosive runs (4).
The only Cowboy defender worth noting (and signing) was Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney tied his season-high with 6 pressures against the Giants in Week 18. He also recorded a season-high 3 run stuffs, as well as 3 run stops, tied for his 2nd-most in a game this season.
For the offense, the team decided to start with Dak Prescott. He was able to record his 17th start for the year despite the Cowboys leaning heavily on the run game in the first half (60.7% called run rate) with Dak at quarterback, while averaging just 3.8 air yards per attempt and facing just an 18.2% blitz rate from the Giants.
Only 70 passing yards today in the first half, they clearly wanted to keep him from harm’s way. Joe Milton got the start in the 2nd half, the Cowboys decreased their run rate (42.3%) while more than doubling their air yards per attempt (7.9) despite facing a significantly higher blitz rate (40.0%).
Jaydon Blue showed off his spark and had a few big runs that were overshadowed by unforced errors by the quarterback.
Both rookie backs, Blue and Phil Mafah, found themselves in the endzone for both of their first career touchdowns.
A quick interception in the 4th quarter from Joe Milton allowed the Giants who led by 10 at the time, to put the nail in the coffin for the Cowboys 2025 season.
7-8-1.
The Giants did what most teams have done to the Cowboys this season: A lot of scoring. They scored on 7 of 9 possessions.
Allowing the total points given up by Dallas—511 points— a franchise record. Now the Cowboys will hold back-to-back losing seasons, a franchise first since 2002.
But now the exit interviews will commence, and the Cowboys will take some time to reflect on their season. And hopefully the front office will reflect effectively on the defensive coordinator position.
Though after the game, the front office told the media, “Once you go through the process, you know what you want to do. I don’t think we’ll rush any of these decisions.”
The decision on the future of Matt Eberflus is not expected until a thorough review over “next 10-to-12 days” is completed.
Brett's Cowboys Corner 
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