New York Giants Full Team Grades vs. Dallas Cowboys

Run Defense Grade: F

Oct 25, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) breaks a tackle by New York Giants middle linebacker Jon Beason (52) in the 1st quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

You almost have to question why the Cowboys ran the ball only 41 times against the Giants with the success they were having on the ground and the struggles Cassel was experiencing. Joseph Randle was injured early in the game, but it didn’t really matter who carried the ball for the Cowboys as they gashed the Giants run defense.

Darren McFadden turned the clock back to Arkansas Razorbacks Darren McFadden, as he rumbled to a season-high 152 yards on 29 carries. That was the most yards he has gained in a game since he gained 129 on September 15th, 2013 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the first time he has eclipsed 20 carries since October 27th that same year. He single handedly kept the Cowboys in this game, as the Giants just had no answer for him.

The Giants also struggled to contain Lucky Whitehead, the Cowboys’ undrafted rookie. The Cowboys used him on reverses and sweeps, and the Giants just didn’t seem ready for it whenever he was on the field.

Overall, the Cowboys rumbled to 233 yards on 41 carries, easily the worst showing of the season for the Giants. This makes two games in a row a player has gone for over 100 yards against them, as the stout run defense they showed to start the season is beginning to go by the wayside. It was slightly disappointing that the Giants weren’t more prepared to face the run, as they had to know the Cowboys weren’t going to game plan a pass heavy scheme with Cassel under center.

Next: Special Teams Grade