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5 Key Players for the Giants to beat Dallas Cowboys

By Michael Nitti

Kenny Golladay #19 of the New York Giants (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Kenny Golladay #19 of the New York Giants (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Dexter Lawrence

With Dalvin Tomlinson departing in the offseason, it was really Austin Johnson that became his replacement. However, it’s more important for someone like Dexter Lawrence to fill the void, as he was part of the reason the Giants felt comfortable with letting Tomlinson walk.

Lawrence had a very promising two years in the NFL to this point after being taken in the first round of the 2018 draft. With him and Tomlinson manning the interior, the Giants run defense ranked in the top eight in terms of opponent yards per carry in each of the past two seasons.

It’s been a vastly different story this year, as the Giants defense currently ranks 27th in opponent yards per carry through four weeks. The blame doesn’t fall all on Lawrence, but at 6’4 and 342 pounds, it’s his job to stuff the opposition.

Lining up in the backfield for Dallas is a pair of exceptional backs in Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. The two have produced a rushing attack that ranks second in the NFL in yards per carry behind a rock solid offensive line. If the Giants want to clog the middle, it starts with Lawrence.

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