Brandon Aubrey just made NFL history twice. In the same game. The Dallas Cowboys kicker nailed a 64-yard field goal as time expired in regulation. Then he drilled a 46-yarder in overtime. Cowboys win 40-37.
Nobody’s ever done that before. Game-tying kick. Game-winning kick. Both as the clock hit zero.
This wasn’t just any game. This was chaos personified. Seven lead changes between the fourth quarter and overtime tied an NFL record. First-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer earned his first career victory in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. And the Cowboys extended their winning streak against the Giants to nine games.
Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards. The Giants gained 506 total yards. They averaged 7.8 yards per play. None of it mattered. New York committed 14 penalties for 160 yards. They scored one touchdown in five red zone trips.
“Told him that game was the epitome of him,” Dak Prescott said after the game. “His coaching staff, just the resiliency he has. He deserved that first win.”
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 40, New York Giants 37 (OT)
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Attendance: 92,781
Key Takeaways from Cowboys vs Giants Match Player Stats
Let’s cut straight to what matters. Here’s what defined this Cowboys vs Giants thriller:
- Brandon Aubrey became the first kicker ever to make field goals as time expired in both regulation and overtime
- Giants committed 14 penalties for 160 yards—their most penalty yardage since facing the Boston Yankees in 1947
- Russell Wilson’s career-high 450 passing yards ended in devastating defeat
- Dak Prescott extended his winning streak against the Giants to 14 consecutive games
- Brian Schottenheimer secured his first win as an NFL head coach
- Dallas scored touchdowns on all three red zone trips while New York converted just once in five attempts
The statistics tell one story. Execution tells another. And in this NFC East division matchup, execution won.
Wilson’s Career Best Ends in Defeat: A Statistical Masterpiece Wasted
“I love watching boxing,” Wilson said postgame. “We’re in a 17-round fight. We battled the first round and second round. Got more to do. I was really proud to answer the way we did.”
Wilson’s 450 passing yards shattered his previous career high of 452. He completed 30 of 41 attempts. That’s a 73.2% completion rate. Three touchdowns. One interception. His performance looked historic on paper.
Pro Football Focus assigned Wilson an impressive 88.2 overall grade with an 85.6 passing grade. Their charting credited him with six “Big-Time Throws.” But they also noted two “Turnover-Worthy Plays.” That second one came in overtime. Deep shot to Malik Nabers. Donovan Wilson jumped the route. Intercepted at the Dallas 30. Game over.
Wilson’s 235 first-half passing yards marked the most by a Giants quarterback since Eli Manning threw for 236 against Philadelphia on November 25, 2018. This performance came one week after Wilson completed just 45.9% of his passes. His passer rating was a dismal 59.3 in a 21-6 loss to Washington.
The Giants became just the second NFL team to go three consecutive season openers without scoring a touchdown. Wilson needed this game. He delivered statistically. But football doesn’t care about your stats.
Wilson averaged 11.0 yards per attempt. Prescott averaged 6.9. Wilson threw bombs. Prescott managed possessions. One approach gained yards. The other gained victories.
Quarterback Comparison: Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants Match Player Stats
Here’s how the quarterbacks stacked up:
| Stat | Russell Wilson (NYG) | Dak Prescott (DAL) |
|---|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 30/41 | 38/52 |
| Completion % | 73.2% | 73.1% |
| Passing Yards | 450 | 361 |
| Yards Per Attempt | 11.0 | 6.9 |
| Touchdowns | 3 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| Sacks Taken | 3 | 3 |
| QBR | 70.1 | 70.7 |
| Passer Rating | 123.0 | 96.7 |
| PFF Grade | 88.2 | N/A |
| Fumbles/Lost | 1/0 | 1/0 |
Prescott’s 38 completions on 52 attempts kept Dallas ahead in time of possession. His performance moved him past Tony Romo into second place on the Cowboys’ all-time completions list. He now has 2,830 career completions.
Prescott’s 14-game winning streak against the Giants ties Tom Brady for the second-longest streak by any quarterback over a single opponent. Brady won 13 straight over Buffalo from 2003 to 2010. Bob Griese holds the record with 17 consecutive wins over the Bills from 1968 to 1979.
“Told you I could run,” Prescott joked afterward. “Rehab went well, man. Felt good.” He missed the final nine games of last season with a torn hamstring. That 14-yard overtime scramble proved his mobility returned.
Nabers and Robinson: Elite Production, Poor Support in Giants’ Aerial Attack
Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson combined for 309 of Wilson’s 450 passing yards. They caught 17 of his 30 completions. All three touchdowns went through them. The rest of the Giants receiving corps? Just 141 yards on 13 catches. Zero scores.
Nabers finished with 167 yards on 9 catches. His 18.6-yard average showcased explosive playmaking ability. Two touchdown receptions sealed his dominance. That 48-yard score with 25 seconds left gave New York a 37-34 lead. He also hauled in a 50-yard bomb earlier. He finished just 4 yards short of his career high.
Pro Football Focus graded Nabers at 85.7. He converted both contested catch attempts. Thirteen targets showed Wilson’s trust level.
Robinson posted an 87.3 PFF grade—highest among all Giants skill players. His 142 receiving yards marked a career high. Eight receptions on 10 targets meant an 80% catch rate. His 17.8 yards per catch matched Nabers’ explosiveness.
Robinson’s 32-yard scoring catch came on fourth down in the fourth quarter. The clock showed 2:44. Giants ahead 30-27. That fourth-down conversion showed clutch genes.
Meanwhile, CeeDee Lamb recorded his fourth consecutive 100-yard game dating back to last season. He finished with 112 yards on 9 catches. Two contested catches in critical fourth-quarter moments kept drives alive.
Jake Ferguson caught nine passes for 78 yards. George Pickens grabbed the go-ahead touchdown with 52 seconds remaining. That 6-yard catch briefly gave Dallas a 34-30 lead. Then Nabers answered.
Top Receivers: Complete Cowboys vs Giants Player Stats Breakdown
| Player | Team | Rec | Yards | Avg | TDs | Targets | PFF Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malik Nabers | NYG | 9 | 167 | 18.6 | 2 | 13 | 85.7 |
| Wan’Dale Robinson | NYG | 8 | 142 | 17.8 | 1 | 10 | 87.3 |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 9 | 112 | 12.4 | 0 | 11 | N/A |
| Jake Ferguson | DAL | 9 | 78 | 8.7 | 0 | 12 | N/A |
| George Pickens | DAL | 5 | 68 | 13.6 | 1 | 9 | N/A |
| Darius Slayton | NYG | 2 | 61 | 30.5 | 0 | 3 | N/A |
Slayton’s 30.5-yard average on limited touches showed big-play potential. But the Giants couldn’t involve more weapons consistently. Dallas spread their passing attack across multiple targets. Prescott completed passes to 11 different receivers.
The Giants now sit at 0-2 with Kansas City visiting MetLife Stadium for Sunday Night Football next week.
Dallas Controls Possession Through Rushing: Ground Game Dominance
The Cowboys rushed for 135 yards on 28 carries. New York managed 84 yards on 21 attempts. But here’s what really mattered: Those rushing yards sustained drives that kept Wilson on the sideline.
Dallas held possession for 37:21 compared to New York’s 32:39. Those extra four minutes and 42 seconds translated into fewer opportunities for Wilson’s explosive passing attack.
Javonte Williams powered Dallas with 18 carries for 97 yards. His 5.4-yard average kept chains moving. His 30-yard touchdown run in the third quarter at 7:20 gave Dallas its first lead. Cowboys up 17-13.
Miles Sanders handled short-yardage work perfectly. Five carries for 15 yards doesn’t look impressive. But his 4-yard touchdown run at 6:14 put Dallas ahead 27-23. Short-yardage specialists don’t need yards. They need touchdowns.
Cam Skattebo led the Giants with 45 yards on 11 carries. His first career touchdown—a 1-yard plunge at 12:07 in the fourth quarter—temporarily gave New York a 23-20 lead. Rookie Jaxson Dart assisted on the scoring drive.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. added 15 yards on 5 carries. The Giants couldn’t establish balance against Dallas’s front seven. That forced Wilson to throw on obvious passing downs.
Rushing Leaders: Ground Attack Breakdown
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TDs | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javonte Williams | DAL | 18 | 97 | 5.4 | 1 | 30 |
| Cam Skattebo | NYG | 11 | 45 | 4.1 | 1 | 24 |
| Miles Sanders | DAL | 5 | 15 | 3.0 | 1 | 6 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG | 5 | 15 | 3.0 | 0 | 9 |
Team Totals:
- Dallas: 28 carries, 135 yards (4.8 avg), 2 TDs
- New York: 21 carries, 84 yards (4.0 avg), 1 TD
The Cowboys’ 4.8-yard average versus the Giants’ 4.0 tells the story. Seven extra carries gave Dallas more chances. Two rushing touchdowns sealed critical moments.
Penalties and Offensive Line Catastrophe: Giants’ Undoing
New York committed 14 accepted penalties for 160 yards. That’s their most penalty yardage since getting 175 against the Boston Yankees in 1947. Giants.com confirmed this historic futility.
Starting left tackle Andrew Thomas missed the game with a foot injury. He’s been sidelined since October 13, 2024. His replacement? James Hudson III drew four penalties on the opening possession alone.
Hudson’s performance ranks among the worst by any offensive lineman in recent NFL history. Sports Illustrated’s Pro Football Focus analysis gave him a 17.2 overall grade. That number is almost unprecedented.
Fifth-round rookie Marcus Mbow replaced Hudson on the Giants’ second drive. That drive began with a false start penalty on tight end Daniel Bellinger. The penalties just kept coming.
Center John Michael Schmitz Jr. earned a 43.6 overall grade. His zone blocking scored 45.3. Run blocking came in at 55.8. Those grades explain why the Giants couldn’t convert short-yardage situations.
The Giants’ first drive began with a negated 67-yard kickoff return. Gunner Olszewski’s return got wiped out by a holding penalty on linebacker Swayze Bozeman. The drive covered 110 yards but ended in a field goal. Why? Sixty penalty yards on six flags.
That opening possession spanned 16 plays. Sixty net yards. Just under nine minutes. You could sense the frustration building on the Giants sideline.
The second quarter produced one of the most confusing sequences of the season. Third-and-nine from the Giants 10-yard line. Prescott’s pass to Lamb fell incomplete. Multiple flags flew. Four simultaneous penalties were called:
- Defensive pass interference on the Giants
- Too many men on the field for the Giants
- Roughing the passer on the Giants
- Unsportsmanlike conduct on Lamb
All four penalties offset. Replay third down. The confusion delayed the game several minutes.
New York reached the Dallas 20-yard line five times. They scored just one touchdown. When your left tackle grades at 17.2 and your center can’t generate interior push, execution collapses.
Penalty Breakdown: Cowboys vs Giants Stats
| Team | Penalties | Yards Lost |
|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 14 | 160 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 12 | 106 |
Dallas committed 12 penalties for 106 yards. But their flags didn’t kill drives. The timing of Giants penalties proved catastrophic. Brian Daboll’s coaching staff faces a crisis at left tackle. Hudson cannot start next week against Kansas City. Thomas must return immediately.
Rookie Quarterback Makes NFL Debut: Jaxson Dart’s Brief Appearance
Jaxson Dart made his NFL debut with 12:51 remaining. Dallas led 20-16. From the Cowboys 25, Dart handed to Skattebo. The fellow rookie burst straight up the middle. Twenty-four yards to the goal line. Skattebo punched it in on the next play.
Giants regained a three-point lead. Perfect execution on Dart’s debut series.
Dart returned for two more plays on the Giants’ next drive. He handed to Tracy for a first down. Then Dart lost three yards on a run himself. Brief glimpse of dual-threat ability. Wilson returned for critical possessions.
This situational package for short-yardage showed Brian Daboll experimenting with formations. Takes pressure off Wilson temporarily. Dart’s not ready for extended action yet. But this brief cameo showcased future potential.
Defense and Special Teams: Unsung Heroes in NFL Week 2 Thriller
Both defenses generated three sacks. But the Giants defense faced 83 Dallas plays. Their offense ran just 65. That volume disparity exhausted New York’s defense.
Paulson Adebo led the Giants with 13 total tackles. Eleven solo stops showed constant activity. He added one pass deflection. Dru Phillips recorded 11 total tackles with 8 solo. Phillips grabbed the Giants’ only interception. He also deflected two passes.
Bobby Okereke contributed 10 tackles with 4 solo. One pass deflection. One quarterback hit. This three-headed monster kept the game close despite offensive failures.
The Giants’ pass rush produced results. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Elijah Garcia each recorded sacks. Burns now has three sacks through the first two games. He’s terrorizing quarterbacks early this season.
Dexter Lawrence II earned an 87.0 PFF grade despite not recording a sack. Three quarterback hurries. Three defensive stops. Interior dominance can’t overcome offensive failures.
Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott broke up two passes. His critical play at the end of the first half kept tight end Jake Ferguson inbounds. Clock wound down. Giants preserved possession.
Some Giants defenders struggled badly. Cornerback Deonte Banks posted a 39.1 overall grade. Outside linebacker Abdul Carter graded at 44.8. Coverage breakdowns allowed big plays.
For Dallas, Kaiir Elam led with 9 total tackles (6 solo). Jack Sanborn contributed 8 tackles with 4 solo. Kenneth Murray Jr. posted 7 tackles with 5 solo and 2 tackles for loss.
Kenny Clark and James Houston got sacks for Dallas. But Donovan Wilson’s game-sealing interception outweighed all other defensive stats. He jumped the route on Nabers in overtime. Returned to the Dallas 30-yard line. Set up Aubrey’s winning kick.
Defensive Stats Comparison: Full Breakdown
| Stat Category | New York Giants | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 87 | 81 |
| Solo Tackles | 63 | 38 |
| Sacks | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Tackles for Loss | 8 | 4 |
| QB Hits | 7 | 6 |
| Passes Defended | 8 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| Plays Faced | 65 | 83 |
Giants’ tackle totals look impressive. But they’re inflated by play volume. Dallas faced 18 fewer offensive plays. Tackles for loss and quarterback hits favored New York. Neither defense dominated statistically. Critical plays mattered more than totals.
Special Teams Impact: Brandon Aubrey’s Historic Night
Aubrey converted all four field goal attempts. Fifty-one yards. Forty-four yards. Sixty-four yards. Forty-six yards. All good. He also made all four extra points. Sixteen total points from the kicker.
That 64-yard kick as time expired forced overtime. CBS Sports confirmed it came just one yard short of Justin Tucker’s NFL record of 65 yards. The pressure situation was handled flawlessly. AT&T Stadium crowd went ballistic.
Then the 46-yard overtime winner came. Time expired again on an Aubrey kick. Prescott’s 14-yard scramble set up the chip shot. Aubrey drilled it dead center. Brian Schottenheimer’s first career victory secured.
“Cool way to win your first game,” Schottenheimer said. “The words that Dak and the players said afterward is why it’s so special. I expect the first of many. But I’ll remember this one forever.”
Graham Gano made all three field goal attempts for New York. Thirty-eight, 33, and 38 yards. No long kicks attempted. Bryan Anger averaged 47.8 yards on four punts for Dallas. He pinned New York inside the 20 twice. Field position battle favored Dallas.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. averaged 26.4 yards on five kickoff returns for New York. KaVontae Turpin averaged 25.0 yards on four returns for Dallas. Then Turpin left with a neck injury in the third quarter.
Overtime: Wilson’s Aggressive Choice Backfires in Dramatic Fashion
New York won the coin toss. They elected to play defense first. Questionable decision with an explosive passing offense. Taking the ball first would’ve allowed immediate attack.
Both teams punted on their opening possessions. Then Wilson faced second-and-14 from the Giants 30. Nabers streaked deep down the left sideline. Pressure forced Wilson’s throw off-platform.
Donovan Wilson read the route perfectly. He jumped the ball at the Dallas 30. Interception sealed the Giants’ fate. Two minutes remaining in overtime. Game over.
PFF charted it as Wilson’s second “Turnover-Worthy Play.” On a day where he posted an 88.2 overall grade with six big-time throws, this forced deep ball ended everything. The Giants just needed a field goal. Methodical approach would’ve worked better.
Prescott’s championship drive followed. That 14-yard scramble put Dallas in range. “Rehab went well, man,” Prescott smiled. “Felt good.” His mobility returned at the perfect moment.
Aubrey drilled the 46-yarder as time expired. Schottenheimer’s emotional first victory. Players’ postgame words made it special. “First of many, but I’ll remember forever.”
Fourth Quarter Chaos: Seven Lead Changes Define NFL Record-Tying Game
Forty-one combined points scored in the fourth quarter. Seven total scoring plays flipped the lead constantly. Five consecutive go-ahead touchdowns. Three lead changes in the final minute alone. Tied an NFL record.
Here’s how the chaos unfolded:
14:13 Remaining – Aubrey 44-yard FG
- Dallas takes 20-16 lead
- First points of fourth quarter
- Sets up wild final 14 minutes
12:07 Remaining – Skattebo 1-yard TD
- Giants retake lead 23-20
- Rookie’s first career touchdown
- Jaxson Dart’s NFL debut assists
6:14 Remaining – Sanders 4-yard TD
- Dallas regains lead 27-23
- Goal-line specialist delivers
- Rushing attack proves crucial
2:44 Remaining – Robinson 32-yard TD
- Giants ahead 30-27
- Fourth-down conversion stuns Dallas
- Career-best night continues
0:52 Remaining – Pickens 6-yard TD
- Dallas leads 34-30
- Prescott to Pickens clutch connection
- Fifty-two seconds feels like eternity
0:25 Remaining – Nabers 48-yard TD
- Giants retake lead 37-34
- Twenty-five seconds for Dallas response
- Nabers’ second touchdown seems like winner
0:00 Remaining – Aubrey 64-yard FG
- Ties game 37-37
- Forces overtime with miracle kick
- Historic moment sets up overtime drama
Complete Statistical Breakdown: Every Metric from Cowboys vs Giants
The numbers reveal why execution beats yardage. Dallas won despite being outgained significantly.
| Category | New York Giants | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 506 | 478 |
| Yards Per Play | 7.8 | 5.8 |
| Total Plays | 65 | 83 |
| First Downs | 22 | 32 |
| Passing 1st Downs | 15 | 18 |
| Rushing 1st Downs | 6 | 8 |
| 1st Downs from Penalties | 1 | 6 |
| Third Down Conversions | 6/14 (42.9%) | 6/14 (42.9%) |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 1/2 (50%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 1/5 (20%) | 3/3 (100%) |
| Time of Possession | 32:39 | 37:21 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Giants’ 7.8 yards per play versus Dallas’s 5.8 looks dominant. But explosiveness didn’t translate to points. Cowboys ran 18 more total plays. First down advantage: 32 versus 22. Third down conversions identical at 42.9%. Fourth down tells a story: Dallas perfect, Giants fifty percent.
Red zone efficiency reveals everything: 20% versus 100%. Time of possession gap approached five minutes. Turnovers equal but timing matters. Dallas controlled what matters most.
Statistics between the 20s don’t win games. Execution in critical moments does.
Injuries and What’s Next: Looking Ahead After Historic Thriller
Injuries hit both teams:
New York Giants:
- LB Darius Muasau (concussion protocol)
- LB Chris Board (chest injury)
- Both left game, didn’t return
- WR KaVontae Turpin (neck injury, third quarter)
- C Cooper Beebe (ankle injury)
Dallas improves to 1-1 heading into a road game at Chicago next Sunday. Schottenheimer needs 199 more wins to match his father. Marty Schottenheimer won 200 games as an NFL coach. Twenty-five years as an assistant before this head coach opportunity. Building momentum after a dramatic win.
New York falls to 0-2, matching their worst start since 2021. Kansas City visits MetLife Stadium for Sunday Night Football next week. The Chiefs lost their season opener to the Los Angeles Chargers. Chargers visit in Week 4.
The Giants must solve their offensive line catastrophe immediately. Hudson cannot start against Patrick Mahomes. Red zone execution must improve drastically.
Final Assessment: Why Execution Trumps Statistics Every Time
Four hundred fifty yards and 7.8 yards per play. Giants still lost by three points. Football’s cruel truth revealed: execution matters most.
Wilson grades at 88.2 PFF overall. Robinson at 87.3. Nabers at 85.7. Dexter Lawrence dominates at 87.0 on defense. Skill position talent looks elite across the board. But catastrophic line play undermined everything.
Hudson’s 17.2 grade kills drives. Schmitz’s 43.6 can’t generate push. Banks’ 39.1 secondary grade allows big plays. Talent exists but support structure crumbles.
Dallas’s 5.8 yards per play seems pedestrian. But 83 plays controlled game flow. Thirty-seven minutes and 21 seconds possession time exhausted opponents. Three-for-three red zone perfection wins games. Brandon Aubrey delivers under maximum pressure.
Similar execution failures happened against Baltimore earlier this season. Offensive explosiveness can’t overcome red zone struggles. Pattern emerging for the Giants’ 0-2 start. Must fix fundamentals before talent matters.
One hundred sixty penalty yards and 20% red zone conversion. These numbers outweigh explosive plays between the 20s. Dallas proves championship teams execute when it counts. Giants learn painful lessons about fundamentals.
Talent without discipline equals an 0-2 start. The Cowboys’ America’s Team mystique continues dominating Big Blue. This Cowboys Giants rivalry history adds another dramatic chapter. And Brandon Aubrey’s name enters NFL record books forever.
Want more Cowboys vs Giants highlights? Check back for weekly NFL game recaps and player performance analysis throughout the 2025 season.
Chinedu Okafor is the founder and lead editor of Gozynest.com, a premier Nigerian lifestyle and celebrity blog. With over five years of experience in digital content creation, Chinedu curates engaging articles that spotlight African celebrities, fashion trends, and cultural insights.
