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          Cowboys' Dak Prescott hits Rico Dowdle for TD vs. Giants

          • Todd Archer, ESPN Staff WriterSep 27, 2024, 01:09 AM
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              Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher.
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          EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Dallas Cowboys have become accustomed to trailing in the first quarter through four games, thanks to a defense that has been generous.

          Unlike the past two losses, against the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys' offense was able to answer after the New York Giants opened with a field goal drive Thursday night. It wasn't always pretty thanks to some penalties, but the drive ended with a 15-yard screen pass from Dak Prescott to running back Rico Dowdle to give Dallas a 7-3 lead.

          The Giants might have thought the Cowboys should have had a third penalty on the drive with tight end Jake Ferguson getting away with what could have been called a hold while blocking for Dowdle.

          Prescott completed all nine passes on the drive to six different players: CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Ferguson, Brandin Cooks, Hunter Luepke and, ultimately, Dowdle.

          As a result, the Cowboys have their first first-quarter lead since the opener. After allowing an opening-drive field goal against the Browns, the Cowboys answered with a six-play, 70-yard drive that lasted 6:55.

          Against the Giants, they went 75 yards on 12 plays and ate up 6:57.

          In the second quarter, the Cowboys scored again.

          Admittedly, last week was not a good one for Lamb, who fumbled, dropped a pass and had a penalty while also getting into a brief spat with Prescott.

          All is well so far Thursday. Lamb and Prescott connected on a 55-yard touchdown in the second quarter as he ran away from cornerback Deonte Banks down the sideline and then saw safety Tyler Nubin slip.

          Lamb threw the ball toward Banks after he crossed the goal line, which drew a taunting flag, but Brandon Aubrey was able to make the 48-yard extra point.

          It was Lamb's fifth catch of the game, matching his season high, for 85 yards.