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Expert predictions for Cowboys-Giants: Will Dallas hand New York its first loss?

Our panel of columnists, beat writers and special contributors make predictions for the Cowboys’ Week 3 matchup.

The Cowboys’ first NFC East game of the season will be a battle of two strong defenses on Monday night.

The Giants are 2-0 but still have questions despite their perfect record. New York’s offensive line has struggled to protect Daniel Jones, which could lead to Micah Parsons feasting as a pass rusher.

Dallas still won’t have Dak Prescott back, but Michael Gallup will make his season debut on Monday night.

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Our panel of columnists, beat writers and special contributors make predictions for the matchup below.

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Tim Cowlishaw

Who are these 2-0 Giants? Cowboys find out Monday night as they face the league’s leading rusher. The New York defense has been limiting opponents much like Dallas has, only the Giants lack the big-play presence of Micah Parsons. Still, Cooper Rush is moving into uncharted territory — playing an NFL game where opponents can see film of him from the week before — and Dallas needs more steady play to win the same kind of game they did a week ago against Bengals.

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Cowboys 24, Giants 17

Michael Gehlken

The Giants’ undefeated record is about as convincing as a 4-pound chihuahua guard dog. Despite a strong start from left tackle Andrew Thomas, New York has allowed quarterback pressure on an NFL-worst 49.3% of dropbacks. This week seems as good as any for Dallas to score its first non-offensive touchdown of the year.

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Cowboys 27, Giants 13

Damon Marx

The Cowboys survived without Dak Prescott against the Bengals at home; it will be a stiffer challenge against the Giants in the Big Apple. It seems unlikely the Cowboys’ offense will be able to move the ball consistently on the road, so scoring will continue to be a challenge. Unless the defense picks up the scoring slack, which isn’t impossible considering the Giants have the benevolent Daniel Jones at QB, Dallas will drop its first division game.

Giants 17, Cowboys 13

David Moore

The Cowboys have beaten the New York Giants in nine of their last 10 meetings, outscoring their NFC East opponent by an average of 11.9 points in that stretch. Dallas overpowered the Giants last season, 67-26. Cooper Rush can keep Dak Prescott on the sidelines if he continues to play at this level — a theory formulated by Jerry Jones — and the Cowboys defense appears poised to make the jump to elite. How can the Cowboys lose this game? Well, it is the first road game for a struggling offense.

Giants 15, Cowboys 10

Kevin Sherrington

The Giants are better than they’ve been in years, but Daniel Jones is still Daniel Jones, meaning he’s no better than Cooper Rush. These offenses ought to look very similar — run-heavy, stay-out-of-the-passing-lane — but the difference-maker will be the Cowboys’ defense. If Micah Parsons can get to Jones enough to make him uncomfortable, the Cowboys’ secondary ought to come up with a turnover or two to tip this in the Cowboys’ favor.

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Cowboys 20, Giants 17

Jean-Jacques Taylor

Cooper Rush turned in a solid performance but the bottom line is the Cowboys have kicked two field goals in the last three quarters. Saquon Barkley had 72 rushing yards in his last game and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry. The Giants are committed to it and they’re going to make Trevon Diggs tackle. This is going to be a tight fit, and I’m not ready to believe in Rush and Brett Maher just yet.

Giants 16, Cowboys, 13

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Calvin Watkins

This is another defensive struggle where the offenses will need just one, maybe two, touchdowns to win. Dallas’ defense is scary good but don’t discount what New York’s defense can do as well. Cooper Rush took plenty of hits in the game against the Bengals and that will continue here. Turnovers are the key in this game, and a Cowboys’ turnover will be the difference.

Giants 14, Cowboys 10

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