Giants vs. Cowboys, prediction, odds, pick, where to watch, TV, live stream

FRISCO, Texas — There’s not much on the line in Week 18 for either the Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) or the New York Giants (3-13) when the two NFC East rivals face off at MetLife Stadium in the 2025 season finale for both teams.

For Dallas, Dak Prescott is looking to become the first Cowboys quarterback to lead the NFL in passing yards in a single season. He has 4,482 yards in 17 weeks, 34 yards ahead of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford’s total of 4,448.

“It would be cool to score that, to just lead the league in passing. I think Matt Stafford probably needs to rest this week and get ready for the playoffs. That would help,” Prescott said with a smile Thursday. “That would be cool, but I’m just playing the game. I’m not going to try to chase it. I’m not going out there saying ‘let me throw it every time. Maybe it’s the opposite of that, right? I’m just trying to play a smart game, a clean game. More importantly, get a win. The record will come if they get there.’

Meanwhile, the Giants might have some incentive to lose on Sunday, as a loss at New York and a win by the Las Vegas Raiders over the Patrick Mahomes-less Kansas City Chiefs would grant them the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Tanking is almost impossible to implement in the NFL, with so many players playing for their football lives week in and week out, given the non-guaranteed nature of most contracts in the league.

Both teams will play on Sunday with skeleton crew versions of their squads. Dallas will be without the following players: running back Javonte Williams (shoulder/neck), running back Malik Davis (calf/eye), guard TJ Bass (knee), linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (concussion) and cornerback Shavon Revel (concussion/neck). New York will be without the following players: defensive back Cor’Dale Flott (knee), safety Jevon Holland (knee/concussion), tight end Theo Johnson (illness), offensive lineman Evan Neal (neck), defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (ankle/toe) and defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (knee).

Where to watch Giants vs. Cowboys live

• Date: Sunday January 4 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
• TV: Fox | Flow: Fubo (try for free)
• Follow: CBS Sports app
• Odds: Cowboys -3.5, O/U 49.5 (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Cowboys vs. Giants: What you need to know

How much will Dak Prescott play and how much will Joe Milton play?

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s approach to Prescott at the end of another non-playoff season in Dallas over the past two weeks is along the lines of “we play to win, so Dak plays the whole game.” Now that it’s Week 18 and the Cowboys play a game at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, Schottenheimer admitted he’s willing to give Joe Milton some time at quarterback this week against the Giants.

“We’re going to look at that. The biggest thing for me is to come up with a game plan and hopefully have another good week of practice and focus on our preparation. You know how much respect I have for this team, this defense that we’re preparing to play, an elite front seven,” Schottenheimer said Monday. “But yeah, we’ll see how the week goes. But right now the plan is to play Dak.”

Even Prescott acknowledged there was a chance he wouldn’t finish the game Sunday, leading the 32-year-old four-time Pro Bowl quarterback to go through a slightly different process heading into Week 18.

“To a certain extent, yes. I’d be lying if I said ‘it’s exactly the same,'” Prescott said of playing in a game, knowing he probably won’t finish the game. “No, there’s a little problem. It’s more like ‘when [when will I be pulled]?’ So for me it’s about going out on the field and planning the whole game. Stay true to the way I play the game. I’m not going to go too early and make big plays so I can get out of the game. …Not knowing when it is [the time he will be pulled] and if so [going to happen]come in, play my game and be smart. “

Milton, 25, has four games of NFL experience in two seasons, including a Week 18 start in the New England Patriots’ 2024 regular-season finale a year ago. He feels much more advanced in terms of experience and football IQ as he approaches his likely opportunity to play on Sunday.

“Just be ready,” Milton said Friday. “I think that was the plan every week. Coming here was a different status for me. When I say status, I mean it’s a different game plan. I’m getting more reps than when I was with the Patriots last year. I’ve progressed in the NFL as far as the quarterback positions go and as far as I know.”

Could Week 18 be a turning point for Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue?

With Williams and Davis ruled out due to injuries, fifth-round rookie running back Jaydon Blue could have a chance to win his biggest game of the season. The University of Texas speedster played in four games this season and had 65 rushing yards on 22 carries. A fumble in Dallas’ 44-24 Week 8 road loss to the Denver Broncos led to a lapse in playing time, with Blue having not touched the field since.

Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay hit the table for the Blues in the draft, and he used the adjective “explosive” five times to describe him on draft day.

“I would love to have an eye on Jaydon. I think the last two weeks have been good weeks for him,” Schottenheimer said Monday. “He’s training harder and better. I think if he continues on this path there’s definitely a chance.”

Will three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns put on a show against a depleted Cowboys offensive line?

Cleveland Browns All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett’s 22.0 sacks this season are so far from the rest of his competition that there was no real race for who would lead the NFL in sacks in 2025. However, Brian Burns, a three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher for the New York Giants, is No. 2 in the league in that stat with a career-high 16.5 this season, a figure that is tied for fourth-most in a season in History of Giants.

Dallas facing him right now could lead Burns to have a monster game and make a push for 20 sacks. The Cowboys allowed six sacks against the Washington Commanders in Week 17, and their offensive line is even more depleted this week. Left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle) remains on injured reserve. In response to this injury, Dallas moved three-time Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith to left tackle for the final three games of the season and placed undrafted veteran TJ Bass at left guard. Bass (knee) didn’t practice all week and was ruled out Friday. Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele’s 44 quarterback pressures allowed this season are tied for second in the NFL, just one behind Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle DJ Glaze’s 45, according to TruMedia.

Sunday could be a huge day for Burns, especially if Milton plays the majority of the afternoon in place of Prescott.

Giants vs. Cowboys Prediction

Prescott plays just long enough for the Cowboys to jump out to a multi-possession lead, and Dallas hangs on to avoid a losing record and finish the season at 8-8-1 while New York secures a top 2 draft pick in 2026 at 3-14. 

Pick: Cowboys 24, Giants 21 | (Giants +3.5, Under 49.5)