Giants-Cowboys Final Score: Giants fall to Dallas, 31-21

The New York Giants did not get embarrassed Sunday, like they did a week ago against the Philadelphia Eagles. They did, however, lose a second straight critical NFC East game, falling to the Dallas Cowboys, 28-21.

The Giants were within a touchdown in the fourth quarter when Larry Donnell, fighting for a first down, fumbled the ball at the Giants' 27-yard line and Dallas recovered with 11:05 to play. The Cowboys converted that into a 1-yard touchdown run by DeMarco Murray that gave the Cowboys a 28-14 lead with 9:11 remaining in the game.

The Giants answered with an impressive 11-play, 80-yard drive to pull within 28-21 on a 4th-and-6 pass from Eli Manning to Odell Beckham Jr., his second touchdown catch of the game.

There was, however, no storybook comeback for the Giants. The Cowboys, riding Murray their impressive offensive line, and getting a key third-down completion to Dez Bryant, held the ball for more than four minites. Dan Bailey hit a 49-yard field goal to make the score 31-21.

The Giants (3-4) entered this critical stretch of their season on a three-game winning streak and believing they had an opportunity. Instead, they lost two games to the 5-1 Eagles and 6-1 Cowboys by a combined score of xx-xx. What did that prove? The Giants might be better than the team that started the 2013 season 0-6, but injuries and inexperience in some key spots leave them looking like they aren't quite ready to beat the league's better teams.

Making History

DeMarco Murray of the Cowboys became the first player in NFL history to rush for 100+ yards in the first seven games of a season. Murray carried 28 times for 128 yards.

By The Numbers

Some of the key numbers from Sunday.

-- Dallas was 9-of-14 on third-down conversions. The Cowboys held the ball for 33:09 and gained 424 yards of total offense.

-- Manning completed 21-of-33 for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

-- Donnell caught seven passes, but fumbled twice.

-- Jason Pierre-Paul had two sacks and six tackles for the Giants.

-- Dez Bryant caught nine passes for 151 yards for Dallas.

Injuries

The Giants lost middle linebacker Jon Beason, who continues to have foot/toe issues after breaking his foot during OTAs. They also lost veteran defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins to a calf strain. [Full story]

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, dealing with leg and back injuries, played primarily in third-down passing situations.

What's Next For Giants?

The Giants have a bye next Sunday, giving them two weeks to lick their wounds and figure out if there are any changes they can make to try and get back on the right track They return to action Nov. 3 when they host the Indianapolis Colts in a Monday Night Football game at MetLife Stadium.