EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Cowboys trust safety Jeff Heath as the last line of defense on their kickoff team.

He came through Monday but was injured in the process during the Cowboys’ 37-18 win over the Giants.

Heath injured his leg when saving a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the third quarter. He was evaluated on the sideline before athletic trainers walked him to the locker room for treatment.

He would receive 12 stitches to seal a laceration. The cut’s location was in a tricky spot in the knee area, complicating his ability to run. Heath did not return to game.

Safety Darian Thompson finished the game in his place recording three tackles. He also recovered a fumble.

Michael Gehlken

Early interception unusual for Prescott: Dak Prescott threw an interception on the Cowboys first play from scrimmage. Uncommon?

That was the first interception Prescott had thrown against the New York Giants since his rookie season. Prescott had two interceptions in a 10-7 loss to the Giants on Dec. 11, 2016. He had thrown 13 touchdowns and no interceptions in the five games since.

David Moore

Elliott has another strong game: It’s becoming the norm for Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys running back had 23 carries for a season-high 139 yards with no touchdowns. Elliott, who averaged six yards a carry, was the only positive thing going for the offense in the first half. Elliott had 80 yards rushing on 13 carries in that first half.

“It was the easiest 80 yards I ever gained,” Elliott said. “I don’t know if I broke a tackle, we ran inside the scheme and those guys just mauled them up front. Thanks to them for making it easier on me today, got to rely on the big fellas.”

Calvin Watkins

Maher ends another half with booming FG: Brett Maher continues to finish first halves strong.

The Cowboys kicker converted a 52-yard field goal as the second quarter expired, marking the third straight game in which he made a long field goal just before halftime. He hit a 62-yarder against the Jets -- at this same site -- on Oct. 13 and a 63-yarder versus the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington on Oct. 20.

Last month, Maher became the first player in NFL history to convert multiple field goals of 60 or more yards in the same season when achieving the feat in consecutive games. He’s also the only player to make three field goals of that distance in his career.

All have been to end the first half.

Since 2018, Maher has made 10 field goals from at least 50 yards, most in the NFL in that span.

Michael Gehlken

Witten back on MNF: Cowboys’ tight end Jason Witten played his first game Monday night in front of his former employer, ESPN. Witten retired last year to become an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. He left after one season to return to the Cowboys and he’s been a productive player.

But playing in front of his former television co-workers brought some added excitement to the game.

“I was excited this whole year,” said Witten, who caught a season-high eight passes for 58 yards. “I’ve been that way, shoot I’ve played like that my whole career. There’s a lot of juice and every moment at this point in my career is special and I want to go out there and play and I want to help.”

Calvin Watkins