Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones offered an unusual concession on Friday, acknowledging that his club underestimated the New York Giants before their Week 1 meeting at MetLife Stadium.
Speaking on 105.3 The Fan, Jones reviewed the Giants’ 28-20 victory on Sunday Night Football and didn't sugarcoat it.
“They just did a good job all over,” Jones said. “And I will tell you, they were better than we thought they were. I’m anxious to see how New York continues to play, but I really — combination of things. We didn’t play as well as we should play and can play, but they played better than I thought they could.”
Jones later added that New York “had really more to do with it than I thought they would.”
The admission arrived five days after John Harbaugh’s
first game as Giants head coach, a night defined by physical play and clock control. New York held the ball for 36 minutes and 40 seconds, rushed for 165 yards on 37 carries and converted nine of 11 third downs. Two second-half scoring drives each lasted more than eight minutes.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said after the game that the Giants were the more physical team and that Dallas had been “humbled.” He credited Harbaugh’s group for shoving Dallas around in the running game and keeping the ball away in the second half.
Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, adding 54 rushing yards. Cam Skattebo opened the scoring with a three-yard run, Isaiah Likely caught two touchdown passes, and Devin Singletary added a nine-yard scoring reception.
Jones also said the Cowboys are “not at the level that we thought we would be,” pointing to a new coaching staff and defensive scheme, and predicted improvement against Washington this week.
The more revealing line was the one about New York. For one night, at least, Dallas found out the Giants were better than they believed.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Jerry Jones stunningly admits Cowboys underestimated New York Giants
