The Dallas Cowboys dominated in their season opener, winning 40-0 against the New York Giants on the road at MetLife Stadium and a prime-time audience on Sunday Night Football.
It was a rainy night in East Rutherford, NJ, but it didn’t affect the Cowboys’ play because from start to finish, they took control, making the Giants look like boys among men in their home opener.
The first significant play for Dallas came on an attempted field goal by the Giants.
Cowboys’ safety Juanyeh Thomas blocked the kick, and Noah Igbinoghene recovered the blocked field goal and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown.
The Cowboys didn’t let up as the defense got involved.
Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland scored on a pick-6 later in the first quarter after star corner Trevon Diggs hit Giants running back Saquon Barkley catching a pass, jarring the ball loose.
Bland caught the ball in the air and ran it back for a Cowboys touchdown.
The Cowboys’ doomsday defense picked up where it left off last season coming away with three turnovers and seven sacks while giving up just 174 yards of offense in the blowout.
The Cowboys led the league in turnovers forced last season.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense didn’t have to do much as he finished the game completing 13 of 24 passes for 143 yards.
Cowboys new starting running back Tony Pollard shined in his starting debut finishing with 70 yards on the ground on 14 carries and two touchdowns.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones finished the game, completing 15 of 28 for just 104 yards with a quarterback rating of 32.4.
“The Giants’ shutout loss was the largest between the teams, topping the Cowboys’ 35-0 win in 1995, also in a season-opener in the Meadowlands. It was also the Cowboys’ biggest shutout victory in any game, topping their 38-0 win over the Baltimore Colts in 1978,” according to ESPN.
The Cowboys will host Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets next at home at AT&T Stadium on Sept. 17.
Kickoff begins at 3:25 p.m. and will be aired on CBS.
Joshua Carter