Rain wasn’t the sole force that descended upon the New York Giants on that Sunday night.
In the game, Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard casually strolled into the endzone with a one-yard touchdown run. The scoreboard swiftly expanded to 33-0 during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium.
Ultimately, the final score settled at 40-0.
New York’s offense struggled to find answers, providing Dallas with ample opportunities to accumulate points and widen the gap.
Let’s delve deeper into the analysis with five key takeaways:
A Game-Changing Momentum Shift
The game began with New York taking possession of the ball and orchestrating an 11-play drive that covered 48 yards. Unfortunately, the drive ended on a sour note with a fumbled snap on third down that resulted in a loss of yardage. However, up until that point, the Giants had displayed coordination and confidence. That changed dramatically when Graham Gano’s field goal attempt was blocked and returned 58 yards for a touchdown by Noah Igbinoghene. Following this pivotal moment, New York struggled to regain its composure, while Dallas capitalized on the momentum.
Daniel Jones’ Forgettable Night
Daniel Jones, who inked a substantial four-year, $160 million contract with the Giants during the past offseason, equivalent to $40 million annually, experienced a night he would rather forget. His performance saw him amass a mere 104 passing yards, completing 15 out of 28 passes with zero touchdowns and two interceptions. He also faced relentless pressure from the opposing defense, suffering seven sacks and contributing 43 rushing yards on 13 attempts. These numbers fell short of the expectations associated with a $40 million player. Although unfavorable weather and a subpar offensive line played a role, these issues had been evident in previous seasons, raising concerns about his development as a pocket passer.
A Strong Start to Post-Ezekiel Elliott Era for Dallas
Dallas ventured into a game without Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield for the first time since 2016. This transition proved to be smooth, as Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, and KaVontae Turpin each contributed effectively. Pollard, in particular, stood out with 70 rushing yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns, while Turpin also added a rushing touchdown. Their contributions alleviated the pressure on Dak Prescott, who, despite not posting eye-popping statistics (143 yards passing on 13-of-24 completions with no touchdowns or interceptions), didn’t need to, thanks to the strong running game.
Exposing the Giants’ Limited Wide Receiver Options
Last season, New York managed to reach the playoffs with Darius Slayton as their most productive wide receiver. However, with Slayton’s statistics of 46 catches for 724 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games, it became evident that the Giants needed more firepower to take their game to the next level. Unfortunately, this loss highlighted the possibility of regression. Although Darren Waller led the receiving department with three catches for 36 yards, his impact on the game was limited. The next highest receiver, Isaiah Hodgins, recorded just one catch for 24 yards, which clearly fell short of expectations.
Cowboys’ Impressive Defense with Super Bowl Potential
As the saying goes, “Defense wins championships,” and the Dallas Cowboys appear to possess a formidable defensive unit. New York’s offensive line offered minimal resistance to the relentless Cowboys’ pressure, resulting in seven sacks and 11 quarterback hits. The Cowboys also forced fumbles from New York on numerous occasions, even if they didn’t recover all of them due to the wet conditions. Additionally, Dallas recorded eight passes defended, with Stephon Gilmore contributing three on his own. While the true tests lie ahead, this performance is a promising sign for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and raises hopes of a defense capable of competing at a Super Bowl level.
Shocking Sunday Night Football Upset
