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View the best photos from the game vs. the Cowboys
AT FIRST GLANCE **
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WHAT'S NEXT
The Giants now head into their bye week before hosting the Indianapolis Colts (5-2) on *Monday Night Football *in Week 9.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
Penalties and low production on first down put the offense behind the chains for much of the day in AT&T Stadium. Quarterback Eli Manning was relatively clean, completing 21-of-33 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions (116.7 passer rating).
However, with an inconsistent rushing attack, the Giants were just 5-of-13 on third-down conversion attempts, and their first turnover proved to be the most costly. Driving with a seven-point deficit and some momentum, tight end Larry Donnell fumbled the ball with 11 minutes remaining in the game, and Dallas turned it into a quick touchdown and a 14-point lead that the Giants could not overcome.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
The Giants' defense unfortunately saw two more starters leave with injuries on Sunday as middle linebacker (toe) and defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (calf strain) went down in the first half and did not return. After already losing nickel cornerback Trumaine McBride for the season last week and playing with a banged-up Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (back/hamstring) on Sunday, the Giants had to shake up their secondary, but injuries were no excuses for some of the big plays that were given up, particularly to the Cowboys' tight ends (Gavin Escobar caught two touchdowns from 15 and 26 yards that put his team ahead both times).
Meanwhile, the Giants allowed 156 yards on the ground, including 128 DeMarco Murray, who became the first player in NFL history to start the season with seven straight 100-yard rushing performances.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE SPECIAL TEAMS
The Giants found some life in their return game with Beckham on punts and Michael Cox handling kickoffs. Beckham averaged 10.5 yards per punt return while Cox notched a 40-yard kickoff return to open the second half. On the flipside, the Giants' coverage units were on point as Steve Weatherford landed two punts inside the 20-yard line.
But the Giants couldn't pull it together in all three phases on Sunday against the Cowboys.
INACTIVES
Giants: RB Rashad Jennings, OL Adam Snyder, DE Kerry Wynn, T James Brewer, G Brandon Mosley, DT Jay Bromley, and WR Corey Washington. Cowboys: QB Dustin Vaughan, DB Jakar Hamilton, LB Bruce Carter, DE Tyrone Crawford, DT Davon Coleman, T Doug Free, and T Donald Hawkins.
LINEUP CHANGES
Giants: Andre Williams in place of Jennings at RB. Cowboys: Parnell for Free at RT, Selvie for Crawford at LDE, Crawford for Melton at DT, Hitchens for Carter at SLB.
INJURY REPORT
DT Cullen Jenkins suffered a calf strain and did not return. LB Jon Beason left the game with a toe injury but X-rays were negative.
