Inside MetLife Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys outclassed New York in every way. Below are the 5 lessons learned from the Dallas Cowboys’ 40-0 thrashing of the Giants that football fans shouldn’t ignore.
On Sunday evening, the New York Giants encountered more than mere rainfall. Tony Pollard, a Dallas Cowboys running back, swiftly dashed one yard to score a touchdown. He briskly jogged towards the end zone. At MetLife Stadium, the scoreboard in the third quarter displayed a commanding lead of 33-0.
It ended 40-0.
Dallas was presented with an exceptional chance to capitalize on by swiftly scoring points that increased the margin, as New York was unable to mount an effective offensive counter. Let’s delve deeper into the analysis with these five key findings:
A single-play momentum shift
New York took possession of the ball initially and embarked on an impressive 48-yard drive down the field, executing 11 plays with precision and skill. Unfortunately, their momentum was disrupted on the final play due to a mishandled snap on third down, resulting in a loss of yardage. Despite this setback, the Giants showcased their competence and organization prior to the unfortunate incident.
However, their fortunes took a turn for the worse when Graham Gano’s field goal attempt was blocked. To compound their misfortune, Noah Igbinoghene seized the opportunity and returned the blocked kick for a remarkable 58-yard touchdown. From that point onwards, New York’s performance appeared disorganized and lacking in confidence. Similarly, Dallas also ceased dwelling on past events and focused on the task at hand.
Daniel Jones endures a difficult night
In the previous offseason, Jones reached an agreement with the Giants for a lucrative four-year contract worth $160 million, averaging $40 million per year. However, his performance in the game was underwhelming, completing only 15 out of 28 passes for 104 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Additionally, he managed to gain only 43 rushing yards on 13 attempts while being sacked seven times. Considering his hefty salary, such a performance is far from satisfactory.
Although it is worth noting that Jones faced challenges such as unfavorable weather conditions and a subpar offensive line, these issues have been evident in previous seasons, with no significant improvements in his pocket passing abilities. However, Week 1 seemed to deviate from this trend.
Dallas’ life after Ezekiel Elliott has a solid start
In this particular instance, Dallas commenced a game without Elliott in the backfield for the first time since 2016. However, it was imperative to move forward and adapt to the situation. Remarkably, Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, and KaVontae Turpin seamlessly fulfilled their respective roles without any hiccups. Pollard, in particular, showcased his exceptional fitness by accumulating 70 yards on 14 carries and scoring two touchdowns. Additionally, Turpin also contributed by scoring on a rush.
Their outstanding performance alleviated the pressure on Dak Prescott, who didn’t need to stand out statistically. Despite only managing 143 yards on 13-for-24 passing with no touchdowns and interceptions, Prescott’s role was simplified thanks to the stellar performance of his teammates.
Giants’ subpar WR play is on outstanding display
Darius Slayton, the team’s top-performing wide receiver, played a crucial role in helping New York secure a spot in the playoffs last year. Throughout 16 games, Slayton showcased his skills by making 46 receptions for 724 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Despite his impressive performance, the Giants needed more contributions from other players to advance further. Unfortunately, it became evident after this setback that the team might experience a decline in performance.
During the game, Darren Waller emerged as the player with the highest number of receptions. However, his performance did not significantly impact the final outcome. On the other hand, Isaiah Hodgins, the second highest receiver, only managed to make one reception for 24 yards, which was less impressive compared to his previous three catches for 36 yards. This lack of consistency is simply unacceptable.
Cowboys’ outstanding defense looks like Super Bowl caliber
Defenses play a crucial role in winning championships, and Dallas seems to possess a formidable one. While the New York offensive line offered little resistance against the Cowboys’ relentless pressure, it’s important not to disregard the seven sacks and 11 quarterback hits they delivered. Additionally, Dallas managed to create turnovers on multiple occasions, despite not being able to recover a fumble in a challenging situation.
Furthermore, the Cowboys’ defense showcased their prowess by intercepting eight passes, with Stephon Gilmore alone accounting for three of them. Although the team hasn’t faced significant challenges yet, this performance is undoubtedly encouraging for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
