After all the hype and build-up of what was a terrific, drama-free offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, the team came out flat against the New York Giants. The offense sleepwalked through much of the game, looking like a shell of the potent offense we saw last year. Dallas’ receivers weren’t productive for much of the contest, and when they did wake up, it was far too little, too late.
The defense looks different but produced eerily similar results as last year. Jaxson Dart toyed with them. On an emotional
night at MetLife Stadium, the Giants beat the Cowboys more convincingly than the 28-20 score would suggest. Cowboys fans should be stunned at how we even got here. Here are the five key plays that decided Dallas disappointing loss.
Not going for it on 4th and 1
The Giants were fired up going into this game. The atmosphere was electric. With the introduction of John Harbaugh, the Giants have renewed excitement, and that was felt from the coin toss.
On the opening drive for the Cowboys, Dak Prescott completed a slant to George Pickens. Although initially it was ruled a first down, replay review overturned it. Dallas lined up on offense to give the impression they were going to try to pick up the first down. A hard count was unsuccessful in drawing the Giants offsides, and with a chance to sustain their drive to take some of the wind out of the Giants’ sails, head coach Brian Schottenheimer opted to punt the ball.
The Giants capitalized on their drive led by a big run by Jaxson Dart. With the Cowboys’ offensive line, their quarterback, running back, and tight end, they elected to play it safe, and it cost them. The Giants took the early lead and never looked back. The Giants owned the time-of-possession battle, and you can point back to this moment as a starting point for New York’s control over the clock.
Pickens Big Drop
The Cowboys simply could not execute against the Giants’ secondary. Even though Prescott was under pressure, they had their opportunities. Following a terrific play by Quinnen Williams to force a fumble against Tyrone Tracy, the Cowboys had been able to stop the bleeding and manage to get off the field.
At that point, the game was tied, and the Cowboys were in position to take the lead before the half. Prescott made a terrific throw to Pickens, who had beaten the Giants deep, but Pickens allowed the ball to slip right through his fingers. Pickens had multiple drops against the Giants, but that one especially stung.
The Cowboys’ aerial assault was grounded Sunday night as all the explosiveness of their offense fizzled out. The Cowboys were unable to create any significant plays in the Giants’ secondary, and that play was the epitome of their passing futility in the loss.
Dak’s interception
Dak Prescott’s interception happened soon after Pickens’ drop, but the two plays are so directly correlated that they must be mentioned. Prescott makes the right play by eluding the pass rush to get out of harm’s way, that is until an ill-advised pass lands in the arms of Jevon Holland. Prescott claimed he was trying to throw the ball away, but upon looking at the replay, it doesn’t look that way.
From that point, it killed whatever progress the Cowboys had made defensively. The Giants regained possession, and after several coverage breakdowns on the ensuing drive, scored to take a 14-7 lead. Prescott’s interception nullified the Giants turnover and set up the Giants’ chance of taking a two score lead after halftime, which in fact they did.
Skattebo’s fumble takes an unfortunate bounce
Despite their challenges, there were multiple times when the Dallas defense made a turnover-worthy play but couldn’t come away with the football. Having one turnover Sunday is very disappointing. DeMarvion Overshown and Caleb Downs forced fumbles that wouldn’t go the Cowboys’ way.
Later in the game, Cam Skattebo almost gave the Cowboys’ defense a gift as they were sucking wind and panting for air. Early in the fourth quarter, Skattebo slipped a tackle on one of his many tough runs through the Cowboys’ defense. Cobie Durant forced a fumble, but the ball made its way back to Skattebo before Dallas could even get a chance to recover it, signifying it wasn’t going to be their night defensively.
On the same drive, the Giants overcame a 2nd-and-17, a 3rd-and-9, and a 2nd-and-12 to find the end zone for the game-deciding score. Luck wasn’t on the Cowboys’ side Sunday, even when it presented itself repeatedly.
Javonte Williams taunting penalty
Dallas’ composure was compromised early. Overshown’s penalty early in the game was the precursor to what we would later see. In total, Dallas committed nine penalties, and awareness of the situations they were in was questionable.
However, none more questionable than Javonte Williams’ penalty. Dallas had managed to answer New York’s early fourth-quarter drive and position themselves to be within one score. Yet Javonte Williams took it upon himself to taunt the Giants secondary even though the Cowboys were still trailing.
His penalty was only magnified by Brandon Aubrey missing the extra point after Williams’ penalty had pushed the Cowboys back 15 yards. Although the Giants ran out the remainder of the clock after that point, Williams’ actions fully encapsulates how the Cowboys lacked disciplined in all facets, which proved to be their undoing.
