Defense leads Cowboys over Giants; Parsons, Nabers injured

Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Amani Oruwariye intercepted Daniel Jones' final pass attempt, capping off a defensive-driven victory over the New York Giants and improving the Dallas Cowboys' record to 2-2 on the season.

Oruwariye's interception came with less than 10 seconds remaining in the 20-15 triumph Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Cowboys, who did not allow a touchdown, also surrendered just 26 rushing yards, the fewest permitted by a team this season. Giants kicker Greg Joseph made five field goals in the loss.

"We got to clean up a little bit more stuff, but we did a great job of keeping them out of the end zone," Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs told reporters. "Making them kick three and just keeping them with no touchdowns."

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott completed 22 of 27 passes for 221 yards and two scores. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb caught seven passes for 98 yards and a score. Running back Rico Dowdle, who gained 71 yards from scrimmage, scored the other Cowboys touchdown.

"We're not going to get complacent," Prescott said. "We're not going to get overexcited about what we've done. It's about building and it's about figuring out what we can do better in all phases, but it's a lot easier to do that with a win."

Jones completed 29 of 40 passes for 281 yards. Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who left the game in the fourth quarter because of a concussion, totaled 12 catches for 115 yards. The Cowboys also lost star pass rusher Micah Parsons to an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.

The Giants defense forced a punt on the game's opening drive. Joseph then made a 52-yard field goal 5:57 into the NFC East divisional matchup. Prescott and the Cowboys responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive. Prescott threw a 15-yard touchdown toss to Dowdle to end the possession.

Joseph followed with a 41-yard kick, but Prescott hit Lamb for a 55-yard score less than two minutes later. The Giants made their third field goal of the night with 1:10 remaining in the first half, but the Cowboys led 14-9 at the break. Joseph proceeded to make a 22-yard field goal to open the second half.

Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey answered with a 60-yard kick about three minutes later. Joseph made his final field goal with 11:11 remaining and the Giants never scored again.

Aubrey made a 40-yard attempt with 6:54 remaining for the final points of the night. The Cowboys kicker went on to miss a 51-yard attempt with 28 seconds remaining, giving the Giants a glimmer of hope.

Jones then threw two incompletions before tossing a 65-yard deep ball down the right side of the field. Cowboys defenders surrounded Jalin Hyatt, including Oruwariye, who jumped in front of the Giants wide receiver for his game-clinching interception.

The Giants out-gained the Cowboys 303 to 293 in total yards and held a 16-14 edge in first downs. The Cowboys committed 11 penalties for 89 yards, compared to just four penalties from the Giants. The Giants also held an 11-minute advantage in time of possession.

"I thought a big difference was we controlled the game in the passing game, but we didn't do enough in the running game," Giants coach Brian Daboll said. "Give them credit. We knew they were going get some of it fixed, but we have to do a better job than that."

Neither Daboll, nor Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, provided respective injury updates on Nabers or Parsons at their postgame news conferences.

The Cowboys (2-2) will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) on Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Giants (1-3) will face the Seattle Seahawks (3-0) at 4:25 p.m. EDT Sunday in Seattle.