The New York Giants started off their season with a bang with a big win over the Dallas Cowboys. Although this game was only decided by a point the Giants did what they had to do to come away with a win in week 1.
The Cowboys have had the Giants number on week 1, the past 3 times they have meet in 2012, 2013 and 2015 the Cowboys came away with a win. Tony Romo not starting in this most recent match up due to injury may have been the reason the Giants finally held on to win the game. Rookie QB Dak Prescott did perform well in his first professional game, but could not get the win for his team.
Prescott showed what he can do both in and out of the pocket. He was getting the ball down the field to mostly Jason Witten and Cole Beasley. Both of those receivers would combine for 131 yards on the game.
Prescott would rush for 12 yards showing off his ability to escape the pocket. Where he had trouble in this game was driving the ball down the field for the big plays. He threw a pass to Dez Bryant in the end zone for a touchdown that was ruled incomplete after Bryant did not secure the ball while sliding out of bounds.
Bryant and Prescott would only connect for 1 reception for 8 yards. The running game was working for the Cowboys as rookie Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown.
The Giants did a great job on defense against the Cowboys and that is what won the game for them. The pass rush started off slow and allowed Prescott to get his passes off, but they would get better during the game.
The Dallas offensive line seemed to have a problem containing Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon and would have to hold him in order to give Prescott time in the pocket. Those penalty yards would hurt the Cowboys during their drives and they would be held to field goals in their early possessions. The Giants offense was a different story and they came ready to play.
The debut of the new and improved Giants offense did not disappoint as everyone had a chance to show what they can do. Eli Manning looked comfortable behind his offensive line, and that gave him time to find all of his receivers. Aside from a poorly thrown ball to Sterling Shepard that resulted in an interception he had an efficient game.
Manning would finish with 207 yards and 3 touchdowns. The rookie Shepard would grab one of those touchdowns reaching over his defender and coming down with the ball. Veteran wide receiver Victor Cruz would score the go ahead touchdown later in the game.
Odell Beckham Jr. looked as if he was going to have a big game after he caught a wide open pass for a 45 yard gain, but that would be his one highlight for the game. Beckham would finish with 4 catches for 73 yards.
This wide receiving core that the Giants have might be the best in football with Beckham, Cruz and now Shepard. Manning can have a great season if all 3 of them stay healthy. The Giants are also showing that they have a dynamic duo in the running game as well with Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen.
The Giants are prepared to have a great season, and with this being Coach Ben McAdoo’s first year as head coach they could be looking at a shot at the playoffs.