AT A GLANCE: The New York Giants turned the ball over four times in a 21-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. The Giants fell to 4-10 while the NFC East-leading Cowboys improved to 10-4.
UP NEXT: Sunday was the Giants' lone home game in the middle of a five-week stretch, which began with road losses to Miami and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Giants now travel to Philadelphia and Chicago over the next two weeks before finishing the season at home against Washington.
View all the action from the Week 15 NFC East matchup between the Giants and Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
The New York Giants run onto the field before playing against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The New York Giants run onto the field before playing against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) hands the ball off to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) passes the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) is tackled by New York Giants inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (49) and Jarren Williams during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws a lateral pass to running back Saquon Barkley (26) against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) breaks up the field against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) passes the ball under pressure from Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse (27) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Keanu Neal (42) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Keanu Neal (42) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) is pulled down by the New York Giants during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Keanu Neal (42) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) passes during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) scrambles during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) passes during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants outside linebacker Quincy Roche (95), outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) and inside linebacker Tae Crowder (48) react after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) kicks during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) tries to avoid a tackle by the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) stiff arms Dallas Cowboys free safety Damontae Kazee (18) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is hit by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants punter Riley Dixon (9) talks with New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (5) during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) passes against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) stiff arms Dallas Cowboys free safety Damontae Kazee (18) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) runs a pattern against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Pharoh Cooper breaks up field against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) breaks up field against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) reacts after a sack against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) and New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
DL Leonard Williams, DL David Moa, DL Dexter Lawrence
DL Leonard Williams, DL David Moa, DL Dexter Lawrence
DL Leonard Williams, DL David Moa
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Darius Slayton, WR Sterling Shepard
RB Devontae Booker
WR Kenny Golladay
LB Jaylon Smith
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Pharoh Cooper, CB James Bradberry
CB James Bradberry
S Xavier McKinney
LB Tae Crowder, LB Reggie Ragland
WR Kenny Golladay
RB Saquon Barkley, QB Mike Glennon
QB Jake Fromm
LB Reggie Ragland
LB Jaylon Smith
DL Leonard Williams, DL David Moa
DL Leonard Williams, DL David Moa, DL Dexter Lawrence
LB Benardrick McKinney
DB Logan Ryan
QB Jake Fromm
DL Leonard Williams, DL David Moa, DL Dexter Lawrence
OL Billy Price, T Matt Peart
LB Jaylon Smith
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Alex Bachman
S Julian Love
WR Alex Bachman
WR Alex Bachman
WR Kenny Golladay
QB Mike Glennon
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
T Andrew Thomas
QB Mike Glennon
TE Evan Engram
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Collin Johnson
QB Jake Fromm
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
QB Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Darius Slayton
WR Collin Johnson
FB Elijhaa Penny
WR Kenny Golladay
TE Evan Engram
QB Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
G Will Hernandez
WR Sterling Shepard
LB Elerson Smith
QB Mike Glennon
WR Kenny Golladay
DB Steven Parker
WR Collin Johnson
TE Evan Engram
TE Evan Engram
DL Dexter Lawrence
QB Jake Fromm
T Andrew Thomas
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
FB Cullen Gillaspia
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Collin Johnson
LB Reggie Ragland
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Darius Slayton
DL Raymond Johnson III
DB Logan Ryan
QB Jake Fromm
LB Azeez Ojulari
DB Logan Ryan
T Andrew Thomas
G Will Hernandez
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Collin Johnson
WR Collin Johnson
LS Casey Kreiter
QB Mike Glennon
RB Saquon Barkley
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
*The Giants played their third consecutive game with Mike Glennon at quarterback in place of Daniel Jones, who has a neck injury. Jake Fromm was again the backup. Guard Ben Bredeson also did not play due to an ankle injury. Wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who was listed as questionable with a quad injury, suited up.
*In his second game back from a fractured foot, which caused him to miss 12 weeks, Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence forced both of the Giants' first-half turnovers on Sunday. He pressured Glennon on the Giants' first possession, causing the quarterback to throw a jump ball into the hands of Jourdan Lewis. In the second quarter, Lawrence punched the ball away from Saquon Barkley for the running back's first lost fumble of his career. The Cowboys scored a touchdown and field goal off the takeaways for a 15-3 halftime lead.
*Malik Hooker grabbed another interception in the fourth quarter for Dallas, which led the NFL in interceptions entering Week 15. Then Trevon Diggs, the individual league leader in the department, grabbed the third interception off Glennon midway through the fourth quarter. It was Diggs' 10th interception of the season.
*Fromm made his NFL debut, entering the game with 3:41 remaining in the fourth quarter of a 21-6 game. He completed six of 12 passes for 82 yards and was sacked once.
*Between Barkley and Devontae Booker, the Giants rushed 11 times for 68 yards in the first quarter alone. The Giants had more rushing yards (122) than passing yards (76) through three quarters. They passed for fewer than 200 yards for the fifth time in six games (202 in Week 12).
*The Giants announced after the game that wide receiver Sterling Shepard suffered a torn Achilles.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
*Like several teams around the NFL, the Giants were significantly thinned by COVID-19 this week. The virus forced nine players to go on the NFL reserve list, eight with positive tests and one close contact. That contact, safety Xavier McKinney, was activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, a big boost for the depleted secondary. The Giants also activated three players from their practice squad as COVID replacements: cornerback Jarren Williams, linebacker Jaylon Smith and wide receiver Alex Bachman. In addition, cornerback Sam Beal was signed to the practice squad.
*The addition of McKinney and Williams increased to seven the number of defensive backs the Giants will have in uniform against the Cowboys. The others were cornerbacks James Bradberry and Keion Crossen and safeties Logan Ryan, Julian Love and Steven Parker. The Giants missed cornerbacks Adoree' Jackson and Aaron Robinson and safety J.R. Reed, who remain on the reserve list, as do linebackers Cam Brown and Oshane Ximines, wide receivers Kadarius Toney and John Ross, and practice squad cornerback Natrell Jamerson.
*Defensive linemen Leonard Williams (triceps) and Austin Johnson (foot) were active despite being listed as questionable heading into the game.
*Linebacker Lorenzo Carter had one of the biggest days of his career, recording four tackles, three quarterback hits, a pass defensed and 2.0 sacks. The second was a strip-sack with Austin Johnson recovering the fumble in the fourth quarter.
*Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who was signed to the practice squad Friday and then elevated Sunday, suited up and made two tackles in his Giants debut. A Pro Bowler two years ago with Dallas, the 6-2, 235-pound Smith played in 68 regular-season games with 56 starts and started two postseason games for the Cowboys from 2017 through this season when he played four games before his release on Oct. 6. Smith was signed the next day by the Green Bay Packers, for whom he played two games before he was cut on Nov. 2.
IN-GAME INJURY REPORT
NYG: RB Gary Brightwell (neck), WR Sterling Shepard (torn Achilles)
INACTIVES
NYG: QB Daniel Jones (neck), G Ben Bredeson (ankle)
DAL: QB Will Grier, CB Nahshon Wright, S Israel Mukuamu, DE Azur Kamara, OT Tyron Smith (ankle), WR Simi Fehoko
