NFC east rivals the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants play on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium in “Big D.” The Cowboys took the earlier meeting in September, so “Big Blue” is looking for payback.
The Cowboys have won five Super Bowl titles and the Giants have won four. The Cowboys are on a three-game winning streak and lead the all-time series 72-47-2. Both teams are 7-3 tied for second in the division.
Let’s take a look at the top-five games in this historic rivalry.
#5. November 23, 2014 – Cowboys 31, Giants 28
The Giants were up 21-10 at the half and Tony Romo and the Cowboys scored three touchdowns in the second half at Giants stadium to secure the victory. It was an incredible game. The highlight was a one-handed 43-yard touchdown catch by rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ had 20 catches for 146 yards and two TDs.
#4. December 4, 1960 – Cowboys 31, Giants 31
This was the first meeting between the two franchises, and it took place at Yankee Stadium, and ended in a 31–31 tie. Eddie LeBaron threw three touchdowns for the Cowboys, including two in the fourth quarter, while George Shaw and Lee Grosscup combined for three touchdown throws for the Giants. L.G. Dupre ran for a Dallas touchdown and caught two scores.
#3. December 19, 1981 – Giants 13, Cowboys 10 OT
Giants defeated the Cowboys 13–10 in overtime on a freezing cold Saturday afternoon at Giants Stadium to clinch their first playoff berth in 17 seasons. Rookie linebacker Lawrence Taylor recovered a fumble by Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett. Joe Danelo kicked the winning field goal in overtime.
#2. December 11, 2011 – Giants 37, Cowboys 34
This was an NBC “Sunday Night Football” matchup. The Giants led 22-20 going into the fourth quarter when Tony Romo threw touchdown passes to Miles Austin and Dez Bryant to put the Cowboys up 34-22. But the Giants scored on the next two possessions and DJ Ware converted a two-point play to give the Giants a 37-34 lead.
The Cowboys drove into Giants territory for a 47-yard field goal with six seconds left, but a timeout by Giants head coach Tom Coughlin negated Dan Bailey’s successful kick and Jason Pierre-Paul blocked the next attempt. This was a critical win as the Giants won the NFC East with a 9-7 record and went on to win the Super Bowl, defeating the New England Patriots.
#1. January 2, 1994 – Cowboys 16, Giants 13 OT
This was the final game of the 1993 season and both teams had an 11–4 record and were competing for the number-one seed in the NFC playoffs. Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith suffered a separated right shoulder in the first half but continued to play in tremendous pain. He rushed for 168 yards on 5.3 yards per carry, including 41 on the game-winning drive, and the Cowboys won 16–13 in overtime.
Smith also locked up the NFL rushing title with one of the greatest performances in NFL history. The Cowboys secured the one seed and went on to win their second straight Super Bowl with a win over the Buffalo Bills. Smith was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII.
