New York Giants 31, Dallas Cowboys 24

Cowboys drop yet another December game.

The Dallas Cowboys blew another crucial divisional game Sunday evening, losing 31-24 to the hated New York Giants in New Jersey. The loss left Dallas at 8-4 on the season.

Photo not provided by the Dallas Cowboys

At least the Cowboys won the game statistically. That and $60 will get you a cheese pizza at the new stadium.

The Cowboys actually dominated the game statistically, but were done in by a series of big plays in the second half. Leading 17-14 in the third quarter, the Giants went ahead to stay when a short pass to New York running back Brandon Jacobs turned into a 74-yard touchdown. Jacobs, who is not normally known for his speed, was able to outrun the Dallas linebackers and defensive linemen chasing him and put the Giants ahead 21-17.

With just five and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, with the Giants holding a tenuous 24-17 lead and the Cowboys needing a score, Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips elected to punt. Giants punt returner Domenik Hixon broke from the pile to run 79 yards for the icing score. Dallas would score a garbage touchdown with less than a minute left in the game but were unable to retrieve the resulting onside kick, which failed to travel the necessary 10 yards.

Despite the loss, several Cowboys had big days individually. Tony Romo had a career-setting day, going 41-for-55 for 392 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Tight end Jason Witten had 14 catches for 156 yards, and became the Cowboys' second-leading all-time receiver with his 500th career catch in the second half. And Roy Williams actually looked decent, snagging six passes for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The problems, once again, came from Dallas abandoning their running game. The three-headed rushing monster that led Dallas to victory last week was strangely absent, as Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice combined for just 23 carries for a measly 45 yards. Despite this, the Cowboys were able to use a flurry of short passes to control the clock, nearly doubling the Giants' time of possession.

With the loss, Dallas falls into a tie with the Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East, with the 7-5 Giants just a game behind but holding the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping the season series against the Cowboys. Dallas' next game is at home against the 9-3 San Diego Chargers, who have historically been unbeatable in December.

Posted by Todd M.