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FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys (11-1) have one blemish on their record, a Week 1 loss to the New York Giants (7-4). The Cowboys have a chance to avenge the loss and clinch the NFC East title with a victory at the Giants on Sunday. It was also scene of the worst performance of the dueling rookie of the year candidates in quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott.
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Prescott completed 25 of 45 passes for 227 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in the 20-19 setback. He recorded season-low 5.0 yards per attempt. And he had a season-low quarterback rating of 69.4.
He said he looked like a rookie in the game and it showed.
"I watched back the tape, and I shake my head sometimes at the things I did or the throws I didn't make 'cause I wasn't trusting it," said Prescott, the NFL's third-ranked passer with a 108.6 quarterback rating, having thrown 19 touchdowns and two interceptions.
"But I've definitely grown a ton since then, just being able to see the defenses faster, recognize what's going on, knowing and making confident decisions, and letting the ball go."
"I'm looking forward to it a lot personally, and then I know this team. They're the only blemish on our record right now. And just to be able to go up there at their place and be able to do what they did to us the first game, we're excited for the opportunity."
Elliott has a similar mindset though he is not carrying it as personal as Prescott. He said he approaches every week motivated to show he is the best back in the league and put best foot forward.
So Elliott is not going to try to put anything extra on the rematch with the Giants.
But the No. 4 overall pick, who is the NFL's leading rusher with 1,285 yards, admits he is a much better player than the one who rushed for a season low 51 yards on 20 carries, averaging a season-low 2.6 yards per carry in the opening setback.
"It was definitely frustrating because it was not how I imagined it," Elliott said. "But I think it definitely helped shape me into the player I am today and put a chip on my shoulder early this season to go out there and get things right."
Elliott has averaged 112.2 yards a game since the opener and has been the key to the Cowboys' 11-game winning streak. He is more comfortable in the system and more patient as a runner after missing much of training camp and the preseason because of a hamstring injury.
"As a runner, he has a feel understanding what we want to do running the football," coach Jason Garrett said. "I think he's improved there. Again, seeing the runs against the different looks allows you to play more decisively with more confidence.
"He's a very natural runner. We know that. The more experience he gets doing what we do against the different defensive looks help him get better."
SERIES HISTORY: 109th meeting: Dallas leads the series, 62-45-2. New York has won the last two games, including the season opener, 20-19, on Sept. 11. The Cowboys have faced only the Eagles and Redskins more than they have faced the Giants.
--A win would make the Cowboys 12-1 for only the second time in franchise history and extend their franchise record win streak to 12 games.
--The NFL has released its playoff scenarios for this weekend and the Dallas Cowboys, who become the first team in the league to secure a playoff spot last weekend, can hit more milestones with a victory at the New York Giants on Sunday.
The Cowboys already have the league's best record with an 11-1 mark.
They can clinch the NFC East title with a win over the Giants.
Dallas also can clinch a first round bye with a win against the Giants and loss or tie by the Detroit Lions or a loss by the Seattle Seahawks.
The Cowboys can clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win against the Giants plus a loss or tie by the Lions and a loss by the Seahawks.
NOTES: CB Orlando Scandrick is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. It is the reason he has been replaced in the regular defense by rookie Anthony Brown and limited to nickel defense duties. ... S J.J. Wilcox remains sidelined because of a deep thigh bruise and has yet to return to practice. He is questionable for the Giants game. ... LB Justin Durant is slowed by a hamstring injury. He is doubtful for the Giants game. ... CB Morris Claiborne, who has missed the last five games because of an avulsion fracture, hopes to return before the end of the season. Claiborne still doesn't have a firm diagnosis of the injury, which he describes as bone being torn off his pelvis, but he said the injury is healing and he is doing more and more every week. He believes he will be back on the field in a couple weeks.
