The Dallas Cowboys beat their division rival New York Giants by the score of 37-18.They started the game off a bit rusty but cruised to an easy victory once they got back up to game speed.

Cowboys crush the Giants; Vikings up next

Jason Garrett
Jason Garret and the Cowboys are close to clinching. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys beat their division rival New York Giants by the score of 37-18.They started the game off a bit rusty but cruised to an easy victory once they got back up to game speed.

Recap

The Cowboys turned the ball over on their 2nd play of the game, which led to a quick 3-point deficit but they quickly rallied and took control of the game right before the end of the first half. Once they got the lead, they never gave it up and earned another divisional victory.

Quarterback Dak Prescott was 22/35 for 257 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.He connected with 6 different receivers, who were led by Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper.Cooper had 4 catches for 80 yards, which included a 45-yard touchdown strike with about 8 minutes left in the game that broke the Giants back. 2nd year receiver Michael Gallup only caught 2 balls but one was an amazing 15-yard catch and run down the sideline for touchdown.

Super Star Ezekiel Elliott had his best rushing game of the year.He carried the ball 23 times for 139 yards and averaged 6 yards a carry.He was held to zero catches and zero touchdowns, but once again he was the driving force of the offense.

Dallas improves to (5-3) and most importantly is now (4-0) in the division, which has them all-alone in 1st place of the NFC East.

3 Things to Watch For

1.Ezekiel Elliott (Running Back): It is very simple, when Zeke touches the ball 20+ times a game the Cowboys tend to win more than if he doesn't.This week he will be up solid run defense in the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas will need to get creative in getting him his touches.

2.Michael Gallup (Wide Receiver): Didn't have a big game this past week but made a huge play where he showcased his running ability as he tight roped the sideline before he scored a touchdown.He should have plenty of chances as the Viking defense will be keying on #1 receiver Amari Cooper.

3.Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee (Linebackers): With the health of their best defensive player Leighton Vander Esch up in the air, it is up to Smith and Lee to contain the current NFL's leading rusher Dalvin Cook.The Vikings rely on him the way the Cowboys do with Zeke.If they can stop Cook, they will certainly have a chance at getting another win.

Coming Up

The Dallas Cowboys (5-3) will be at home Sunday night taking on the Minnesota Vikings (6-3) at AT&T Stadium (AKA:Jerry's World) in Arlington, Texas.Kickoff is set for 7:20 pm Central Time.This is going to be an interesting game because both teams are very similar.They both like to take control by running the ball with their stud running backs and then come over the top with the playmaking receivers.Luckily for Dallas, the Vikings are (2-3) on the road this year.

If you have any fantasy players, the only must start players are:

Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Amari Cooper (WR), Dak Prescott (QB), Michael Gallup (WR)

Vikings: Dalvin Cook (RB), Kirk Cousins (WR), Stefon Diggs (WR)

For you gamblers out there, the Cowboys are currently -3 and the over/under is 47.5.This is a pretty even matchup and I don't think I could take the Cowboys at anything over.I think the over is the way to go again.The over has hit in three of the last four games the Cowboys have played.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 4-1. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.

Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.

The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.

Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.

Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.

Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.

Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.

Key moment

Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.

Key Stat

Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.

Up next

Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.

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