Giants vs. Cowboys 2019, Week 9: Monday Night Football first-half live updates

• Second-half open thread

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants (2-6) try to break a four-game losing streak Monday night as they face the Dallas Cowboys (4-3) in an NFC East game at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants have lost five straight games to Dallas, including a season-opening 35-17 loss to the Cowboys this season.

For the Giants, wide receiver Sterling Shepard will miss a fourth straight game due to a concussion. Dallas will be without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who has a neck injury.

Your Big Blue View staff writers are all picking the Cowboys to win in this one. The Giants are 6-point underdogs.

Giants’ inactives

In addition to Shepard, the Giants will have six healthy scratches. They are:

QB Alex Tanney
OL Eric Smith
OL Chad Slade
DL RJ McIntosh
LB Chris Peace
LB Devante Downs

McIntosh, a 2018 fifth-round pick, is inactive because of the presence of Leonard Williams on the roster. McIntosh’s playing time has diminished in recent weeks.

Cowboys inactives

WR Cedrick Wilson
WR Devin Smith
LB Leighton Vander Esch
OL Adam Redmond
OT Cameron Fleming
DE Joe Jackson
DT Trysten Hill

Use this as your first-half open thread. Follow @BigBlueView on Twitter and use the Twitter stream below for updates.

In-game updates

Antoine Bethea sets up the Giants’ first points on the game’s first play.

First-quarter update: It’s 3-3 as the teams have traded field goals. The Giants will open the second quarter with a second-and-2 at the Dallas 19-yard line.

This great catch by Golden Tate set up a second-quarter touchdown that gave the Giants a 9-3 lead.

Here is the touchdown:

And, your best first-half highlight. A cat on the field.