The start of the game shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. The New York Giants’ game plan was to attack the run defense of the Dallas Cowboys.
It was the Achilles heel for Dallas the last couple of years, so we knew the Giants would test it.
They had a few positive gains and a couple of broken plays by Daniel Jones that led to first downs on their first drive.
Despite the solid start for New York, the sloppy weather of the Jersey area caused more problems for the home team, at least early on with a mishandled hike that stalled their momentum.
The Giants were prepared to get on the board with a field goal; however, that may have been a bit presumptuous as a couple of new Cowboys (Juanyeh Thomas and Noah Igbinoghene) got the block turned into Dallas’ first touchdown of the year.
The remainder of the first quarter for New York consisted of plenty of confused looks by Daniel Jones as Micah Parsons and the pass rush began to tee off.
It wasn’t much better on the defensive side of the ball for them, either. Dak Prescott’s first throw to CeeDee Lamb was a 49-yard lob after a well-set pick play. That ultimately led to a successful 21-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey, putting Dallas up 9 – 0.
Let’s be honest – that kick was calming to the nerves after Aubrey’s first extra point went too far left.
From then on, New York could not get out of their way. On a 3rd and 19, Jones lobbed a pass to Barkley, but he was not prepared for Trevon Diggs’ version of a hit stick. The ball popped up and landed softly in the hands of Daron Bland, who ran it in for Dallas’ second touchdown of the night.
Dallas ended the first quarter with a 16 – 0 lead.
The Cowboys’ offense continued to move the chains in the second quarter with a successful 4th down attempt to Brandin Cooks.
A drop by Jake Ferguson slowed the onslaught, temporarily forcing America’s team to kick another field goal.
Aubrey is now 2-2 on field goals with a 38-yard connection, putting Dallas up 19-0.
Daniel Jones needs this half to end as soon as possible. This is a different Dallas defense he is playing. The pass rush smells blood in the water.
They are forcing Jones into errant throws, and one in which led to Stephon Gilmore’s first interception with the star on his helmet.
That interception led to a touchdown run by Tony Pollard, putting Dallas up 26-0.
The Giants put together two final drive attempts to conclude the half. Again, broken runs by Jones and his ability to keep things alive is what is giving them a fighting chance.
Unfortunately, Graham Gano forgot that kicks go between the yellow uprights. That was their best chance of putting points on the board in the second quarter.
It has been an easy ride thus far for the Dallas Cowboys as they walk into halftime leading the Giants 26-0. Let’s see what the second half has in store.
