Takeaways from the Giants' 37-34 loss to the Cowboys in Week 5:
John Schmeelk: Everything that's said about untimely penalties is correct, but it goes deeper than that. The number of missed opportunities in this game against the Cowboys are too long to list, but here are some key ones.
On defense, there were too many missed tackles on Ezekiel Elliot's runs. There was a missed tackle on a swing pass to Tony Pollard on the tying field goal drive gave the Cowboys a 3rd-and-2 at the Giants 26 instead of dealing with a third-and-long on the fringe of field goal range.
At the end of the game, the Giants were in man-to-man defense, and Michael Gallup found a way to make a couple of plays, unlike the secondary.
On special teams, the Giants had a touchdown scored on a fake field goal, but they weren't set on the snap.
On offense, the Giants had a number of opportunities to get down the field to open receivers during the game, but they failed to take advantage due to pressure up front or the failure to get the ball to the open receiver. The offensive line needs to block better. There were also a couple of drops over the course of the game.
The team is playing better football, but it's still not good enough to win. They will have another chance to change that against the Washington Football Team this weekend.
Dan Salomone: There was a lot of finger-pointing in the Giants' postgame locker room in Arlington, Texas, where the team let another one slip away to remain winless through five weeks. Those actions were directed at the mirror, as described by veteran defensive back Logan Ryan during his video conference with the media. He was sick about his play, Blake Martinez was upset about a missed tackle, and James Bradberry lamented a missed interception – all plays that could have put the Giants over the hump for the first time in the Joe Judge era. That accountability is what you want to hear from team leaders, but they also had another message: the bill is past due.
"We did a lot of good things, but we're not getting any more 'atta-boys', no more pats on the back," Ryan said. "At this time, it's done. The fan base deserves wins and we're going to do what we have to do to get some wins for the fans and for ourselves because we deserve it, too. Coach Judge deserves it. I'm going to stand up here at this podium with my chin held high and I'm going to go back to work like anyone else would do. I'm going to find a way to play better for the team."
Martinez added, "I think I heard Logan say it best, it's at this point in time that there's enough of this 'we're so close, we're getting there.' It's time to win, this is a result business, we need to go out there and win, get the job done, and it's time for that now."
Lance Medow: Untimely penalties and self-inflicted wounds continue to be a costly trend for the Giants. When you play an offense like the Cowboys that was averaging 510 yards of total offense and 32 points per game entering Week 5, the last thing you can afford to do is sacrifice touchdowns; and in the Giants' case, it was not one, but two.
The first opportunity came on a 4th-and-4 from the Dallas 27 with just over a minute to go in the first half. With the game tied at 17, New York faked the field goal and Riley Dixon threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Evan Engram. The Giants caught the Cowboys off guard but an illegal shift penalty against one of the lineman negated the touchdown and they had to settle for Graham Gano's 50-yard field goal. On the ensuing possession, the Cowboys put together a six play, 75-yard touchdown drive in 35 seconds to move in front, 24-20, at the half.
Opening the third quarter, the Giants had 3rd-and-6 from the Dallas 31. Daniel Jones connected with Darius Slayton for a 31-yard touchdown but that was nullified due to an offensive pass interference call against another receiver. A few plays later, the drive stalled at the 41 and, once again, the Giants settled for a Gano field goal (54 yards). Instead of potentially having 14 points, they had just six. When you lose by three points, the difference of eight is significant.
The Giants had a season-high eight penalties for 81 yards and they were spread across the board: three on offense, four on defense, one on special teams.
The first unnecessary roughness call came on Cowboys' opening drive of the game in which they moved to the New York 6 – they got a FG - and the second one came on their final drive of the first half, which resulted in a TD. Both penalties turned into 30+ yard gains for Dallas and were part of two scoring drives. Another costly defensive penalty came midway through the fourth quarter, with the Giants leading by three points: a facemask flag as the defense stopped Ezekiel Elliott for no gain. The Cowboys moved to the 40 and ultimately were able to get into position to kick the tying field goal.
On top of the penalties, the Giants also turned over the ball, at least once, for the fifth straight game and this one was costly as the Cowboys immediately converted it into a touchdown as Anthony Brown returned it 29 yards for a score. Although the Giants also had a defensive touchdown, the Cowboys' score completely changed the momentum of the game as Dallas erased an early 14-point deficit.
View photos from the Week 5 matchup between the Giants and Cowboys in Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass to running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) under pressure from New York Giants defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) prepares for the snap during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks an extra point as punter Riley Dixon (9) holds during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting the pass in front of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during an NFL football game on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) celebrates after a touchdown with offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) runs for a touchdown after intercepting the pass in front of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) during an NFL football game on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to throw on a roll out during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) sprints to the end zone for a touchdown after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daryl Worley (28) is unable to stop New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) from scoring a touchdown after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants' Blake Martinez (54) gives escort as linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) returns an interception thrown by Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott (4) for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) is upended by the combined stop of New York Giants' James Bradberry, top right, and safety Adrian Colbert, bottom right, as Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) looks on in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) and defensive end Aldon Smith (58) in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Head Coach Joe Judge picked up his first win as a head coach in this Week 5 victory over the Cowboys.
New York Giants punter Riley Dixon (9) and place kicker Graham Gano (5) celebrate a field goal kicked by Gano in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
RB Devonta Freeman scored his first touchdown as a Giant, registering 60 yards on 17 carries while adding two receptions for 27 yards.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) pursues New York Giants tight end Kaden Smith (82) who gains yardage after a catch in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants' Casey Kreiter (58), place kicker Graham Gano (5) and punter Riley Dixon (9) celebrate a field goal kicked by Gano in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is tackled by New York Giants defensive end B.J. Hill (95) and outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (51) during an NFL football game on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks a 50-yard field as punter Riley Dixon (9) holds during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) looks for running room as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) prepares for the snap from center Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) prepares for the snap during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) makes a tackle during an NFL football game on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
WR Darius Slayton led the team with eight receptions for 129 yards.
OLB Kyler Fackrell finished the game with 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended, 1 quarterback hit and an interception which he returned 46 yards for a touchdown.
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks the ball on a kickoff during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants defensive tackle Austin Johnson (98) is seen on the field during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez (54) reacts during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to throw the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to throw the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a 2-point conversion pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a 2-point conversion pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to throw the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants punter Riley Dixon (9), place kicker Graham Gano (5) and offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (75) celebrate a field goal kicked by Gano in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a pass for a two-point conversion in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants defensive tackle Austin Johnson (98) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants tight end Levine Toilolo (85) and Nick Gates (65) celebrate with Andrew Thomas (78) who caught a pass for a two-point conversion in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) tackles New York Giants running back Dion Lewis (33) during an NFL football game on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (5) celebrates kicking a field goal as punter Riley Dixon (9) stands by in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
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