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NY Giants’ defense slams door on Cowboys, keeps NFC East hopes alive

By Matt Lombardo

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 03: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants attempts a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on January 03, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 03: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants attempts a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on January 03, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The NY Giants’ defense delivered a dramatic victory over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, keeping hope alive for an NFC East championship

The NY Giants, following their 23-19 victory over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday afternoon still have a chance at winning the NFC East division, if the undermanned Philadelphia Eagles do their part and upset the Washington Football Team Sunday night.

It was Patrick Graham’s defense that delivered the biggest victory of the season and kept their fledgling postseason hopes alive, despite a 6-10 record.

Leonard Williams, playing what had the chance to be his final game in a Giants uniform as he is set to be a restricted free agent, had the most dominant and disruptive performance of his career on Sunday afternoon.

Williams had a career-high three sacks, raising his total to 11.5 sacks, clinching his first double-digit sack season of his career.

Likewise, rookie defensive back Xavier McKinney made the most consequential play of his young career, intercepting Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton in the end zone with 1:15 remaining and the Giants clinging to a four-point lead.

Earlier, Graham Gano split the uprights on a 50-yard field goal that gave the Giants a four-point lead, which decided the outcome.

Offensively, Daniel Jones was efficient enough, completing 17-of-25 passes for 229 yards with two touchdowns and one interception as Sterling Shepard offered a signature performance with eight catches on 10 targets for 112 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing touchdown on the game’s first possession.

For Joe Judge and the Giants, there’s nothing left to do but wait, and watch the scoreboard to see if the Eagles — without several of their top players, can knock off the Washington Football team on Sunday night.

Because the Giants swept the season-series against Washington, they own the tiebreaker. We’ll soon know if they own the playoff berth earmarked for the historically pathetic NFC East Division.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.

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