Here are 10 storylines for the week heading into Sunday’s game in the Meadowlands, with five each for the Giants and Cowboys.
Giants
Costly Win? – The Giants snapped a nine-game losing streak on Sunday in Las Vegas, beating the Raiders 34-10. The win improved New York to 3-13, edging the Giants ahead of Las Vegas (2-14) with one game to play. That win seemingly cost the Giants the chance of the No. 1 overall pick. As it stands now, the Giants are one of four teams tied for the second-worst record. There is an outside shot they could still get the No. 1 pick but would need to win, have the Raiders lose and then get some other outside help.
Coaching situation – The Giants are still without a full-time coach after Brian Daboll was fired in mid-season. Mike Kafka is the interim coach and he’s one of the candidates for the position but it seems as if the Giants are going to entertain several options. Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who is out of football this season, has been linked to the opening as well.
Riding the Dart – The Cowboys had all sorts of problems with Russell Wilson back in Week 2. Wilson turned back the clock and passed for 450 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-37 overtime loss. But since then, rookie Jaxson Dart has taken over for the Giants and looks to be their quarterback of the future. Dart has led the Giants to all three of their wins this year but has only two QB ratings of 100 or more this year. He’s only thrown five interceptions to 13 touchdowns.
Big-time Threat – Any success Wan’Dale Robinson has had should be no surprise to the Cowboys. Robinson lit up Dallas for 142 yards back in Week 2. But it’s not just Dallas that has struggled to stop him. Robinson became the first player in NFL history listed at 5’8 or shorter to produce over 1,000 receiving yards. With one game to play, Robinson has 92 catches for 1,014 yards.
Mr. December – Rookie Abdul Carter has started to get hot of late. The No. 2 overall pick is coming off his best game of the season against the Raiders, getting a career-high nine pressures. Carter had just .5 sack in the first three months of the season but once December rolled around, he’s been a different player. Carter has at least a half-sack in each of the lat four games. His 44 “quick pressures” is the most of any player in the NFL this year.
Cowboys
Diggs Waived – The Cowboys finally ended their saga with Trevon Diggs, waiving the veteran cornerback on Tuesday ahead of this week’s season finale. It’s been a drama-filled season with Diggs, dating back to his injury rehab away from the facility that resulted in the Cowboys keeping a $500,000 workout bonus in his contract. Diggs has been in and out of the lineup and also spent seven weeks on IR due to a knee injury and a concussion he suffered with what he described as an “at-home incident.” Diggs did play the last two weeks but now the Cowboys have cut him in a move that will save about $5.8 million off next year’s salary cap.
Dak Still In – For just the second time in his career and first since 2023, Dak Prescott is expected to start all 17 games in a regular season. Now, for all long he’ll be playing could be another story. But for now, it appears the Cowboys are focused on Dak starting on Sunday against the Giants in an attempt to finish the season at .500 with an 8-8-1 record.
Getting Even – The Cowboys are no strangers to finishing 8-8 as they’ve done five times when the league had a 16-game schedule. But considering they had their first tie since the 1969 season, they have a shot to finish 8-8-1 for the first time ever if they can win on Sunday against the Giants. It would also give Dallas a 5-1 record in the NFC East and secure yet another sweep over the Giants. The Cowboys have won nine straight over the Giants and 16 of the last 17, dating back to 2016.
Running on Empty? – The Cowboys have some decisions to make at running back, especially with Javonte Williams banged up with a shoulder injury. Williams didn’t finish Thursday’s game and Malik Davis filled in, rushing for over 100 yards. But in Week 18, Williams might be out again, which would give the Cowboys a chance to look at a pair of rookies in Jaydon Blue and even Phil Mafah, who is currently on IR but could return for the season finale if the Cowboys can find a roster spot.
Draft Order – The Cowboys are currently in the 14th slot for next year’s first-round pick at 7-8-1. However, there are five teams at 8-8 currently that could slide up over Dallas if the Cowboys end up beating the Giants. Now the Cowboys also have Green Bay’s first-round pick in 2026 and since the Packers have already clinched a playoff spot, the pick will certainly be at least 21st overall. Depending on where the Packers finish in the postseason will determine what slot the Cowboys will pick with that second first-round pick.
