Brutal Cowboys skid hangs over Giants as they try to avoid more of the same

ARLINGTON, Texas — This was a change-up from Brian Daboll. 

Normally, he opens his Wednesday media session with a quick “Good morning” and “What ya got?” and the questions commence.

This week, he went old-school, offering up a four-minute introductory statement about the next opponent, the Cowboys. 

There were names dropped (13 in all), a review of how the Cowboys fared in their first game (they lost to the Eagles), and detailed analysis of the special teams, offense and defense the Giants will go up against Sunday at AT&T Stadium. 

Finally, Daboll finished off his 591-word remarks with this: “So, it’ll be a good challenge for us on the road, in Dallas, and we’re going to have to be at our best.” 

This was a throwback to a simpler time, when information was not a click away, and former Giants head coaches Dan Reeves, Jim Fassel and Tom Coughlin in a sense provided a service with these briefings.

For Daboll, it might have been that he preferred to spend time speaking about another team, rather than his own. 

What the heck was he to say about the way his squad opened up the season with a dispiriting 21-6 loss to the Commanders?

Fans who thirsted for something new and fresh and different from the offense instead saw three hours of old and stale and hauntingly reminiscent. Losing to the Commanders was hardly a sin — they won 14 games in 2024 and the Giants won three — but failing to score a touchdown was alarming. 

And now? What in the world can Daboll or anyone associated with the Giants possibly say to engender confidence that Week 2 will be anything other than more of the same? The Cowboys and Giants are both 0-1 but this NFC East series has been as lopsided as a three-legged chair.

The Giants carry in an eight-game losing streak and just five players on their roster (Darius Slayton, Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, Casey Kreiter and Graham Gano) were with them the last time the Giants beat the ’Boys — the 2020 season finale.

The Giants have lost eight consecutive games on the road in this series and 15 of 16 overall. 

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott lost two games to the Giants back in 2016, when he was a rookie. Since then he’s an unblemished 13-0 when he starts against his favorite blue punching bag. 

“Couldn’t really tell you,” linebacker Bobby Okereke told The Post, when asked if he knew how many consecutive games Prescott beat the Giants. “For us, we’re focused in the moment. You look to the past to learn lessons but other than that, we’re focused on the opportunity in front of us. We have a great opportunity this Sunday, against a division opponent who’s very good.” 

It is up for debate how “very good” the Micah Parson-less Cowboys are.

At this point, there is no debate how bad the Giants were out of the gate for the new season.

The offensive “attack” was so anemic that Russell Wilson needs a strong performance to quiet or at least hush outside pleas to ditch him and replace him with rookie Jaxson Dart. 

Falling to cross the goal line on two trips inside the 3-yard line was particularly galling for those expecting much more.

Wilson received little help from his running backs or an offensive line that will once again be without left tackle Andrew Thomas. 

“Let’s not make this overly complicated,” Wilson said. “We’ve got to score. We’ve got to make plays down there, and I think that’s the name of the game. That’s the history of the game just forever. Ever since I’ve been playing it, ever since the game started.” 

True, that.

Here is something else not to make overly complicated: When the older quarterback struggles, the younger (22) first-round pick is not far behind as the next to get a shot. Dart is the backup and will get first crack in front of veteran Jameis Winston. 

“Yeah, my job is just to be prepared each and every week,” Dart said. “We have a great quarterback room, and I think that all of us have the exact same approach of not looking so much of being on the field, but just preparing each and every day for whenever and however an opportunity may come.’ 

It may come, sooner than anticipated, unless Wilson puts more points on the board.