Game Recap: Giants are defeated by a second-half surge

Much like many of us fighting a tryptophan nap after a festive Thanksgiving meal.

But as the game went on, the Cowboys appeared to emerge from their slumber more and more. Dallas eventually surged in the second half to defeat their NFC rivals 28-20 after a first half in which they stumbled their way to a disadvantage.

Dak Prescott's day had two halves, much like the Cowboys themselves. He went only 6-for-10 for 116 yards in the first two quarters, good for a 44.8 passer rating. But in the second half, he would complete 15 of his 20 passes for 145 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, capping the day with a respectable passer rating of 91.1.

The Dallas Cowboys were a touch slow to start their holiday matchup against the New York Giants

For the second time this season, CeeDee Lamb exceeded the 100-yard mark in receiving yards, combining some highlight-reel catches with his 106-yard output. With several solid catches that resulted in 63 receiving yards, Michael Gallup also had his best game of the season.

The Cowboys made some strides on the ground as well, totaling 170 rushing yards, going over 150 for the fourth straight game. Tony Pollard added 60 additional yards on 18 carries, while Ezekiel Elliott finished second with 92 yards on 16 carries.

The Dallas defense also got better throughout the day. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong contributed to his already career-high amount of sacks, now at eight, while linebacker Micah Parsons recorded his sixth game this season with two or more sacks.

The Cowboys limited Saquon Barkley, who entered the game as the second-ranked rusher in the NFL, to just 39 yards while only allowing the Giants to convert 27 percent of their offensive possessions into points.

First Quarter

A 57-yard field goal on the Giants' second possession gave them the opening score. The Cowboys' failure to convert on a fourth-and-2 at their own 40-yard line put New York in an excellent position.. The Giants moved to the 17-yard line after a 23-yard pass connection, and Dallas then got lucky when an apparent touchdown was reversed because of an illegal player downfield penalty.

Prescott's interception was the result of obvious offense confusion, but the Cowboys were immediately back in the game at their own 7-yard line after a quick three-and-out and punt. The third time proved to be the charm as Dallas kicked it turning up the offense. On the final play of the first quarter, Gallup caught three passes for a total of 24 yards, and Prescott then threw a 25-yard pass to Lamb to put the Cowboys at the Giants' 6-yard line, poised for a field goal. the yard line.

Second Quarter

To enter the end zone, they simply required one more snap. The 11-play, 93-yard drive was completed by Elliott's burst up the middle for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season. With his 75th total career score, Elliott tied Dez Bryant for the fourth most touchdowns in Cowboys history.

The Giants came back quickly and took the lead after covering 75 yards in just nine plays, but it wasn't sustained. At the Cowboys' 1-yard line, wideout Darius Slayton delivered the decisive blow by jumping high above cornerback Anthony Brown to pull in a 44-yard reception.

Then another disaster happened. For the third time in the team's previous four games, Prescott threw an interception through the middle just before the half. He tried to go to Lamb again with 1:50 remaining in the quarter, but cornerback Darnay Holmes tipped the ball. Safety Julian Love then picked up the loose ball, giving the Giants the ball at their own 27-yard line.

Dallas appeared to repay the favor when safety Donovan Wilson intercepted a pass from Daniel Jones, but the turnover was ruled invalid because cornerback Trevon Diggs was penalized for illegal contact. The Giants kept going with their drive until they reached the Cowboys' 29-yard line. Graham Gano split the uprights from 47 yards out at that point, with the clock at zero, giving New York a 13-7 lead going into halftime.

Third Quarter

The Cowboys needed to come out and leave a lasting impression after a fairly poor first half. They did, advancing 75 yards to the end zone in 14 plays and 7:39 total time. A 15-yard toss from Prescott to the tight end Schultz in the back left corner of the end zone was what led to the touchdown despite the fact

The Giants did the same thing here in the third quarter as the Cowboys did in the first quarter on fourth down in their own territory. The outcome was the same as well, with Jones' failed throw attempt to Barkley on fourth-and-1 from his own 45-yard line.

Dallas was the only team to capitalize on New York's gift. That same day, Schultz scored once more, lunging into the end zone this time from six yards out. Lamb, however, was the drive's star. Dallas was given first-and-goal after the star wide receiver made a spectacular one-handed catch on the left sideline while being impeded that went for 21 yards.

Fourth Quarter

The Cowboys' subsequent possession saw them score their third straight touchdown to start the second half. This time, an 80-yard drive that took 10 plays and included the rookie tight ends was the highlight. After catching a quick pass, Jake Ferguson turned toward the field and outran a potential defender for a noteworthy 30-yard gain. Peyton Hendershot then started moving before receiving the handoff and rushing in unimpeded from two yards away to score the touchdown.

Schultz, Ferguson, and Sean McKeon, the team's four tight ends, then celebrated by diving into The Salvation Army Red Kettle, while Hendershot played a quick game of whack-a-mole.

After that, there wasn't much more to do but finish the clock and return home for some leftovers from Thanksgiving.. The Giants added another touchdown to complete the scoring after that.

The Cowboys will now take advantage of a long weekend with second place in the division now secured and the Philadelphia Eagles still in their sights.

READ MORE:  WILL WALMART BE OPEN ON THANKSGIVING DAY? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, BELOW