New York Giants (0-1) – Dallas Cowboys (1-0): 0 – 40
Facing the Cowboys, not necessarily on a very big day but opportunistic on both sides of the ball, the Giants completely foundered in front of their home crowd. With an extremely weak corps of receivers to evolve at this level and whose deluge did not make the task easy, Brian Daboll’s attack was only too rarely able to fail the band at Micah Parsons (3 tackles , 1 sack).
For their part, the Cowboys did not have to force their talent to take off. Interception, fumble, blocked field goal, the whole range of possible turnovers was there and the Texans naturally took off prematurely. Very effective in their opponents’ (very) weak moments, Mike McCarthy’s players had the luxury of forcing numerous whistles from Giants supporters in the aisles of MetLife Stadium.
Giants quickly in the game, before the shipwreck
The Giants did not need an observation round, carried by the races of Saquon Barkley (12 races, 51 yards) and Daniel Jones (13/25, 102 yards, 2 interceptions) to quickly find themselves in the red zone in this opening drive. But when it was time to conclude, a bad snap on third attempt forced Daniel Jones to secure the ball and settle for a field goal. But first drama since the Giants’ attempt is blocked then returned by Noah Igbinoghene for a touchdown (0-6)! In the process, and after an anonymous drive from Brian Daboll’s men, the Cowboys’ attack finally takes the field for a well-constructed offensive series that Dak Prescott (13/24, 143 yards) fails to complete. But Brett Maher passes the ball between the poles (0-9).
As the Giants go into redemption mode, the offensive line is struggling to provide time for Daniel Jones. Pushed back on third attempt, the quarterback found Saquon Barkley on a small pass but the violent tackle by Trevon Diggs (3 tackles, 2 forced fumbles) caused the ball to explode from the running back’s hands for a fumble returned for a touchdown by DaRon Bland (0 -16). The domination continues with a new punt from the Giants followed by a new field goal from the Cowboys (0-19). In the process, Daniel Jones is pushed to the outside by Micah Parsons but the New York quarterback decides to throw anyway. And Stephon Gilmore completes the interception. It will only take two minutes for Tony Pollard (14 races, 70 yards, 2 touchdowns) to increase the score with a new touchdown (0-26).
Returning from the locker room, the Cowboys did not give up and despite a fumble well covered by one of his teammates, Tony Pollard ended up in the end zone for the second time of the evening (0-33). Dallas will definitely hit the nail on the head at the start of the fourth quarter with a great run from KaVontae Turpin in the promised land (0-40).
And as if that wasn’t enough, on a finally productive reception for the Giants signed Isaiah Hodgins, Trevons Diggs again caused a fumble well covered by Israel Mukuamu.
Daniel Jones looking for receivers
Long uncertain for this match, Darren Waller (3 receptions, 36 yards) was finally present and offered Daniel Jones some rare opportunities to complete passes. But Darius Slayton (3 receptions, 15 yards) aside, the rest of his receivers were absent. And with such a one-dimensional attack, the only Saquon Barkley was very quickly put under the extinguisher, his attack with it.
There is already an emergency on Brian Daboll’s side to find reliable targets for his quarterback or risk seeing this season turn sour faster than expected.
On the Dallas side, the main reason for satisfaction is the defensive squad as a whole. Micah Parsons seems stronger than ever and undermined the New York offensive line all game. On the back line, Trevon Diggs celebrated his new contract by causing two fumbles. On the offensive side, it wasn’t the most inspired day of Dak Prescott’s career, but did he really need it given the magnitude of the score?
Regardless, the Cowboys are establishing themselves as one of the major forces in the NFC and a real thorn in the side of the Eagles in this NFC East.
