Cowboys vs. Giants 2013 final score: Dallas wins, 24-21, on late field goal, retakes NFC East lead
The Cowboys earned an important victory over the Giants in their quest for the playoffs and NFC East crown.
The fight for the top spot in the NFC East continued with the Cowboys and Giants battling in Week 12. The Cowboys won an up-and-down battle in a messy game. There were several sacks and turnovers, with neither team excelling on offense or defense. The Cowboys now have a clearer view at a potential playoff spot with a win over their division foes. With the win, Dallas now leads the NFC East.
The Cowboys produced the first score of the game when rookie safety Jeff Heath stole the ball out of Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz's hands and ran it back the other way for a Dallas touchdown. The Giants would answer back with a field goal, but the Cowboys added another touchdown immediately after with a connection between Tony Romo and Jason Witten. Dallas led the Giants, 14-6, following a second field goal by Giants kicker Josh Brown.
The Cowboys caught a break when Giants pass rusher Mathias Kiwanuka took Romo down by the neck after he threw a completion to Cole Beasley, who fumbled the ball to New York. The referees called a "roughing the passer" penalty on the Giants, which wiped out the turnover. The Cowboys then scored a touchdown at the end of the drive for a 21-6 lead. The Giants responded with one of most bizarre touchdowns ever on 4th and 3 with an Eli Manning pass to Brandon Myers, who gingerly walked into the end zone after the Cowboys forgot to touch him as he rolled on the ground. That touchdown made it a one-score game in the third quarter.
The Giants were able to tie up the game midway through the fourth quarter with a Louis Murphy receiving touchdown and an Andre Brown run for a two-point conversion. The grab was good for Manning's second touchdown pass of the game.
The Cowboys were able win the game with a last-minute field goal by kicker Dan Bailey.
Fantasy Studs and Duds
Witten had just 37 receiving yards, but caught two touchdowns.
Brown had 127 rushing yards for New York and added another 11 yards off four receptions, along with a two-point conversion.
Injury Report
Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne re-injured his hamstring during the game and did not return. Giants offensive lineman Jim Cordle also left the game with an undisclosed injury.
Did They Cover?
The Giants were 2.5-point favorites at home according to OddsShark, so they did not cover the spread.
What’s Next?
The Cowboys will host the Raiders on Thanksgiving at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Giants will travel to the Redskins on Sunday, Dec. 1 with an 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff on NBC.
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