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An inside look at Sunday’s Giants-Cowboys Week 5 matchup in Dallas:

Marquee Matchup

Cowboys defensive front vs. Giants offensive line

This is always about speed and movement up front for the Cowboys, and it remains that way for new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. This group leads the NFL in stunt percentage, playing two-man games with smallish, quick linemen to create confusion and disruption. This will be tough for a Giants line that started its fourth left guard in four games and protected Daniel Jones well enough last week in New Orleans.

If LT Andrew Thomas (foot) is inactive or impaired, it spells trouble, as second-year lineman Matt Peart will have to get dusted off to play right tackle, with Nate Solder moving to the left side. Rookie LB Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory are the top pass rushers here.

Paul’s Pick

Sure, last week was loud and hostile in New Orleans. This place gets rocking and is even more hostile to those wearing blue. Dak Prescott does not own the Giants, but let’s say he rents space in their heads. He got hurt against them a year ago and figures to put a hurting on them as payback. Can Troy (Giants “aren’t in Dallas’ class’’) Aikman be proven wrong?

Cowboys 34, Giants 20.


  Saquon Barkley and the Giants face the Cowboys on Sunday. Getty Images Saquon Barkley and the Giants face the Cowboys on Sunday. Getty Images

4 DOWNS

Spread the Wealth: It is difficult to simulate on the practice field the talent possessed by Cowboys WRs Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. The Giants hope their own stable of receivers prepped their defensive backs for this challenge.

“They’re great ball catchers,’’ CB Adoree’ Jackson said. “They’re both go-to guys for their team.’’

Lamb has 20 receptions and one touchdown this season, Cooper has 22 catches and three TDs. Jackson considers Cooper one of the best route-runners he has ever gone against. “Complete receiver,’’ he said.

Thievery in Progress: Have you noticed Daniel Jones does not throw the ball to the other team much anymore? He went 124 consecutive passes this season without an interception until his Hail Mary at the end of the first half in New Orleans was picked off — no big deal. He has just two interceptions in his past 331 passes, dating back to last season. This is a huge challenge against the Cowboys, as second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs leads the NFL with five interceptions. He has eight in 16 career games.

“You can tell he’s a smart player and he knows when to take those chances,’’ Jones said.

Almost Full House: Nope, not this week. WRs Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton remain out with hamstring strains. That means the targets again will go to Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, John Ross and RB Saquon Barkley, with the tight ends getting some looks as well.

“The offense is built for everybody to eat,’’ TE Evan Engram said. “The defense is gonna have to respect everybody on the field. When those opportunities are there, we’ll be there.’’

Time to Throw: No, Jason Garrett did not draw up new, exotic plays in the dirt last week. The Giants figured they could beat the Saints down the field — as long as the oft-criticized offensive line held up. It did.

“Yeah, I don’t think anything we ran in the game was anything different, to be honest with you,’’ Garrett said. “Sometimes you call those plays and the ball has to go somewhere else for a variety of reasons.’’

One of those reasons: If it is a jailbreak in the pocket and the quarterback has to get rid of it before his targets have time to get down the field.

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