RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Dallas Cowboys (1-0) shut out the New York Giants (0-1) in a 40-0 victory in week one in MetLife Stadium. The defense was a sight to see on Sunday night. Seven sacks. Five forced fumbles. Two interceptions. A blocked kick.
The first quarter was a roller coaster to say the least… For the Giants. The Cowboys took a 6-0 lead after Juanyeh Thomas blocked a punt and Noah Igbinoghene returned it for a touchdown. The new Dallas native hasn’t even been with the Cowboys for two weeks and scored the first Cowboys touchdown of the 2023 season. Igbinoghene was traded to Dallas right before the deadline and it looks like it worked in the Cowboys favor tonight.
The first quarter excitement was not over. The offense came up short and settled for a field goal after quarterback Dak Prescott connected with WR CeeDee Lamb for a 49-yard reception making it a 9-0 game. The defense came back out on the field raising havoc again, Trevon Diggs forced a fumble that was recovered by DaRond Bland for another Cowboys touchdown making it a 16-0 lead for Dallas.
And to think that was all the defense had in their back pocket. Nope. Dallas’ newest cornerback Stephon Gilmore grabbed an interception, one of two that Daniel Jones would throw on the night, giving the Cowboys another shot to score.
And we haven’t even started talking about the pass rush. The Cowboys recorded seven sacks on quarterback Daniel Jones. Two coming from Dorance Armstrong, two from Osa Odighizuwa, and one from Micah Parsons, and one from Demarcus Lawrence.
“I think we’re making a statement that we’ve been trying to make: We’re the best defense in the National Football League.” LB Micah Parsons stated after the game.
The pass rush gave Daniel Jones little time in the pocket and it showed. Jones was 15-of-28 for 104 total yards on the night. Jones struggled all night getting the ball out fast enough before Dallas’s pass rush came knocking on his door.
Dallas took a 26-0 lead into the half.
The Cowboys scored two more touchdowns in the second half to score 40 points on the Giants. One of those second half touchdowns came from WR KaVontae Turpin. That was Turpin’s first regular season touchdown of his career. Dallas decided during the off-season that Turpin would be more incorporated in the offense than just punt returning. He started taking reps at WR during OTA’s and it looks like it’s working out for Turpin so far.
The other two touchdowns came from RB1 Tony Pollard. This was Pollard’s first game as RB1 in Dallas and his first game back from his broken foot he endured during the playoff game against the 49’ers last year.
TP had no problem getting back to where he left off. Like he has always said… “they call it.. I’m gone haul it.” He scored two touchdowns tonight and proved to everyone why he is RB1 for the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas’ 40-point win was its second-largest margin of victory in a season opener in team history. The only other larger margin of victory was in 1968 in a 59-13 win against the Detroit Lions (9/15).
The Cowboys rested LG Tyler Smith tonight, which was a good decision, seeming Dallas did just fine without him tonight.
Key Players:
Dak Prescott threw for 13 of 24 for 143 yards.
Tony Pollard had 14 carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
CeeDee Lamb had 4 receptions for 77 yards.
Dallas will head back to Frisco to start prepping for week two. The Cowboys will face the New York Jets next Sunday at 3:30 pm.
