Giants’ once-NFL-leading sack pace is grinding to a halt

ARLINGTON, Texas — All along, it did not feel like the Giants’ success on defense, specifically with their pass rush, was going to be sustainable.

As it turns out, it was not.

They led the NFL in sacks through the first eight games with 35. Dexter Lawrence was the league leader through seven games with nine sacks. The defense was not able to keep up that pace, and the Giants have only one sack in their past three games.

Lawrence, with double- and triple-team blocking against him, does not have a sack in his past four games. As a result, the Giants have dropped to fourth in the league in team sacks with 36 — behind the Broncos (44), Texans (42) and Vikings (38).

The Cowboys, using Dak Prescott and now Cooper Rush at quarterback, have allowed 30 sacks this season, 13th-most in the league.

Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) was ruled out, meaning veteran Chris Hubbard will start again at left tackle. The 33-year-old, picked up during the season, started in losses to the Steelers and Commanders, and struggled, prompting an offensive line shift. … CB Deonte Banks (rib) is listed as questionable.

This is a meeting of one team that can’t and another that also can’t. Up next, the Giants’ 30th-ranked run defense (allowing 147.9 yards per game) goes up against the Cowboys’ 31st-ranked rushing offense (82.5 yards a game). … Defending the ball in the air has been a problem for the Giants and issues down the field last week were glaring. Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield completed 8 of 10 passes for 172 yards on throws of 10 or more air yards.

The Giants are 0-2 playing on Thanksgiving on the road against the Cowboys, losing 30-3 in 1992 and 28-20 in 2022, Brian Daboll’s first season as the head coach.

“It’s a privilege to play on Thanksgiving,’’ Daboll said. “I remember sitting there with my grandfather and watching the games on Thanksgiving when there’s only a couple of them. But I’ve participated in this game on Thanksgiving in my career quite a bit. It’s always a privilege.’’