11:14 AM on Sep 27, 2024 CDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Entering Thursday night’s game, the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys shared last place in the NFC East at 1-2, a game behind the 2-1 Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys scored two first-half touchdowns and limited the Giants to three field goals to lead 14-9 at the half. It was a defensive battle the rest of the way, as neither team scored a touchdown in the second half.

Dallas picked up its second win of the season with a final score of 20-15, but star edge rusher Micah Parsons was carted off the field late in the game with a left ankle/foot injury. He said afterward that X-rays were negative and he will get an MRI on Friday.

Giants’ rookie receiver Malik Nabers also exited the game in the fourth quarter after suffering a concussion.

Here are the most important things to know from Thursday night for both teams:

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott did not speak to the media prior to Thursday’s game against the Giants. He said he would speak “post win.” The Cowboys got the win, but it wasn’t an artistic beauty. However, after Dallas was embarrassed in back-to-back home losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, the only thing that mattered was getting a win on a short week.

Being 2-2 is so much better than 1-3. Had the Cowboys lost, it would have marked the first time they lost three September games since 2001, and they would have been in last place in the NFC East.

Prescott was sharp, especially in the first half with touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb (55 yards) and Rico Dowdle (15 yards). The defense finally stopped the run and stiffened in the red zone, holding the Giants to five field goals.

Prescott has now won 13 straight against the Giants. His last loss came in 2016 as a rookie. He tied the second-longest win streak by a quarterback against a single opponent since quarterback stats were first tracked in 1950. Tom Brady beat the Buffalo Bills 13 straight times from 2003 to 2010, and Steve Young beat the Rams 13 straight from 1987 to 1998. Prescott will get a chance at No. 14 on Thanksgiving.

Promising trend: When Lamb has some sideline issues, the best seems to come out of him. During last year’s loss at San Francisco, Lamb kept to himself on the sideline and then followed with six games with at least 11 catches and seven games with more than 100 yards. In last week’s loss to New Orleans, Lamb had a spat with Prescott and did not speak to the media after the game. On Tuesday, Lamb was apologetic and said he would be better. In the first half alone, he had six catches for 94 yards (both season highs) and a touchdown.

Eye-popping stat: Brandon Aubrey has played 21 games for the Cowboys. He has three field goals of 60 yards in his career, including a 60-yarder in the third quarter against the Giants. That’s one off the NFL record held by Brett Maher, who made four with the Cowboys over two different stints. Aubrey made a 60-yarder last week against the Ravens. He is 2-for-2 from 60 yards this season. The rest of the league is 0-for-2, according to ESPN Research.

Silver lining: The Cowboys will have 10 days to get ready for the presently undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. The time will help because there is still a lot that needs to be corrected, even with the win. In the past three games, opposing quarterbacks have missed on only 19 passes. Against the Saints and Ravens, that was understandable because both teams were so dominant on the run. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had too much time to throw for much of the game after previously being tormented by the Cowboys, who sacked him 24 times in eight games prior to Thursday. Oh, and they were penalized nine times in the first half alone. —Todd Archer

Next game: at Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 6.)

New York Giants

The Giants kept it close against the Cowboys, but they still didn’t come away with a win. After last season, when the Giants were outscored 89-17 in their two meetings with the Cowboys, this has to be viewed as progress, right?

Sure, there are no moral victories in the NFL, but this was the third straight step in the right direction for the Giants (1-3) after an ugly opener.

The gap, at least to some degree, has narrowed between the division rivals. Dallas still owns the Giants. It has won 14 of the past 15 matchups, and Prescott has beaten them 13 straight times. New York still isn’t quite there yet, but this proved it’s at least improving.

QB breakdown: Jones was efficient, completing 29 of 40 passes (73% completion) for 281 yards with an interception on a Hail Mary in the final seconds. But the Giants were kept out of the end zone, and Jones was short on most of his deep throws. It’s especially notable considering this was a problem early in training camp. There was a lot of good for Jones, but it was not quite enough. Jones is clearly playing better since the opener. Having rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (12 catches for 115 yards) certainly helps.

Eye-popping stat: Prior to leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion, Nabers kept adding to his records. He became the first player in NFL history with at least 25 receptions and three touchdowns in his first four career games when he caught a 3-yard pass early in the second quarter. He now has 35 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns in four games.

Troubling trend: Top Giants cornerback Deonte Banks has been the nearest defender on four touchdown passes already this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Banks was beat again on Thursday night, this time by Lamb for a 55-yard score in the second quarter. The Giants were hoping Banks would step into the CB1 role this season. Instead, it has been a struggle so far.

Biggest hole in the game plan: The Giants weren’t able to get anything going in the running game against the league’s worst run defense. Dallas came into the contest allowing 185.7 yards on the ground per game. The Giants came into the game thinking they would have success but had only 29 yards rushing in the first half — and they finished with 26 yards on 24 carries. — Jordan Raanan

Next game: at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 6)

DALLAS — It’s not exactly curl-up-by-the-fireplace weather, but the Chi Omega Christmas Market is this weekend and in a new location: Dallas Market Hall.

“They’re like, ‘Wait, I’m not ready! I’m not ready for Christmas!’” said the 2024 Chi Omega Market co-chair Nancy Woodall with a laugh. “But the weather cooperated with us. It got a little bit cooler this morning.”

Inside Dallas Market Hall, the shopping is heating up as guests grab their red shopping bags and head down the colorful and well-stocked aisles.

“It’s Candy Land” exclaimed Josie Yanez with a delightful laugh. She’s experiencing the market for the first time with her daughter, Candace.

“Well, I just feel like you can get truly one-of-a-kind gifts for anybody on your shopping list: your best friend, your husband, your husband’s business partner, whoever,” says Candace Yanez.

Chi Omega Christmas Market shoppers said it’s not too early to start holiday shopping.

“I’m already ahead of just the Christmas holidays,” said Josie Yanez. “There are the [Thanksgiving] holidays… Halloween… you can find it all.”

Organizers say the September start means fewer conflicts for vendors, and the move to Market Hall gives them more space.

“We’re just not here for Christmas shopping. We’re here for everything,” said Woodall. “And then Dallas Market Hall has been a spectacular venue to host a show. It’s light, it’s bright, it’s large, and we have filled every square inch of this space.”

More than 200 vendors offering unique items ranging from clothes to toys to decor compete for spots in the long-running holiday market.

“It is tough to get a slot. We have tried probably for 10 years,” said Candace Williams, who owns The Toy Maven. “We are strong believers in supporting our community, and so it’s a thrill. We’re thrilled to be a part of the market this year. It’s a great opportunity for business.”

While the start date and location are new, the purpose remains unchanged: charity.

“We like to say we shop for a purpose,” said Woodall, “and whenever a shopper comes in and buys a ticket, they are helping us fund these great beneficiaries.”

Over the years, the Chi Omega Christmas Market has raised and donated more than $10 million to local charities. Debbie Lang and Karen Hunt are also 2024 market co-chairs.  

Beneficiaries this year are Bonton Farms, the Stewpot, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Make-A-Wish, TITAS/Dance Unbound, Network of Community Ministries, Behind Every Door, Swan Strings, Together We Thrive, Family Compass, Young Women’s Preparatory Network, the Children’s Craniofacial Association, and Ascend Dallas.

“You’re hitting the jackpot coming to this Christmas market!” said Candace Yanez.

The Chi Omega Christmas Market is open until 9 p.m. on Thursday and opens at 9 a.m. Friday and runs through 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at Dallas Market Hall.