## Cowboys Outlast Giants for First Home Win, Eye Improbable Playoff Run: ‘Why Not Us?’
**ARLINGTON, Texas** – The Dallas Cowboys finally notched their first home win of the season on Monday Night Football, edging out the rival New York Giants 23-16. The victory keeps the Cowboys’ faint playoff hopes alive and has the team believing in the improbable.
**A Tale of Two Halves**
The first half was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball. The Cowboys managed just 103 yards of offense, while the Giants had only 91. The only points came on a pair of field goals by Cowboys kicker Brett Maher.
The second half was a different story. The Cowboys offense came to life, led by quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott threw for 261 yards and a touchdown in the second half, including a 33-yard strike to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb that put the Cowboys up 13-6.
The Giants responded with a touchdown of their own, a 1-yard run by running back Saquon Barkley. But the Cowboys answered right back with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Tony Pollard.
**Defense Delivers in the Clutch**
The Cowboys defense played a key role in the victory, forcing three turnovers and sacking Giants quarterback Daniel Jones five times. Defensive end Micah Parsons was a force all night, recording two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
**Playoff Hopes Alive**
The win keeps the Cowboys in the playoff hunt with a 7-8 record. They are currently one game behind the Washington Commanders for the final wild-card spot in the NFC.
“We’re not giving up,” said Prescott after the game. “We know it’s a long shot, but why not us?”
**Tough Road Ahead**
The Cowboys have a tough road ahead if they want to reach the playoffs. They have three games remaining, including a showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. The Eagles are currently the No. 1 seed in the NFC and have already clinched a playoff berth.
**Key Players Step Up**
Several key players stepped up for the Cowboys in Monday’s win.
* **Dak Prescott:** Prescott threw for 261 yards and a touchdown in the second half, leading the Cowboys to a come-from-behind victory.
* **Micah Parsons:** Parsons was a force on defense, recording two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
* **Tony Pollard:** Pollard rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown, providing a spark for the Cowboys offense.
* **CeeDee Lamb:** Lamb caught 5 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, leading the Cowboys in receiving.
**Conclusion**
The Cowboys’ win over the Giants was a much-needed victory, both for their playoff hopes and for their morale. The team has shown resilience and fight all season, and they are not giving up on their playoff dreams.
“We’re going to keep fighting,” said Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. “We believe in ourselves, and we’re not going to let anyone tell us we can’t do it.”