EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Several Cowboys offensive players praised their defensive teammates in the locker room after Sunday night's 10-7 loss to the New York Giants.

"Those guys played a hell of a game tonight," rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott said. "They're the only reason that kept us in the game. Getting three takeaways is always big, just stopping them when we weren't able to produce anything.

"It was good to see those guys go out there battling."

Despite taking a backseat to the offense for most of the season, the defense has come up big the last few games when the offense has struggled.

Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott took blame for Dallas' second loss while praising the team's defense during his postgame news conference.

"They were great, spectacular," rookie quarterback Dak Prescott said. "They did everything they needed to do. This definitely falls on the offense and I'd say me, particularly."

Prescott had his worst game, completing only 46 percent of his passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His 45.4 passer rating was his lowest of the season.