The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants meet for the first time this season on Thursday Night Football.
The pregame narrative: Dallas has dominated this rivalry in recent years and I expect CeeDee Lamb to have his breakout game under the bright lights. Also, take Daniel Jones’ rushing prop in a plus matchup.
Check out my Cowboys vs. Giants prop picks for Sept. 26.
Cowboys vs. Giants prop picks
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Best Bet: Lamb over 6.5 receptions (+110)
Last year Lamb led the NFL in targets (181) and receptions (135) and was second to only Tyreek Hill in yards (1,749).
We haven’t seen Dallas’ star receiver reach that level through three games.
His highest reception total was five against the Cleveland Browns and his top yardage mark was 90 in a blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. But this week presents a great opportunity for Lamb to have a monster performance.
The Giants’ pass defence has looked decent on the surface level. It ranks a middling 15th in passing yards allowed per game and defensive EPA per dropback, per RBSDM.com.
But now it will face off against a Cowboys team that loves to throw the football, ranking first in passing attempts per game (41.7).
Last year, the Giants allowed the fourth-most receptions to wide receivers.
Lamb hauled in 11 of 14 targets when these teams last met and he should be the vocal point of Brian Schottenheimer’s offence on Thursday.
Deonte Banks has struggled mightily as New York’s CB1 and he tends to play on the outside. If Lamb is moved to the slot he should also have a favourable matchup with Dru Phillips, Adoree’ Jackson and Nick McCloud on the injury report.
Key stat: Lamb cleared this mark in nine of 17 regular season games last year.
Quick picks
Jones over 30.5 rushing yards (-117): Jones makes his fair share of goofy-looking plays but he’s still an athletic specimen at the end of the day.
The 6-foot-5 signal caller isn’t afraid to use his legs and should be able to take advantage of an awful Cowboys rush defence.
Dallas is allowing the most rushing yards per game (187.5) and the fourth-most rushing yards per game to quarterbacks (41.3). Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson both blew past this line with ease and I expect Jones to as well.
Jones only played one game against Dallas last year and netted 43 yards on 13 attempts.
Picks made at 11:37 a.m. ET 09/25/2024.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.