The New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 on Sunday night by keeping the ball away from Dak Prescott. New York ran for 165 yards on 37 carries and held possession for more than 36 minutes, leaving Dallas just 52 offensive plays.
Dallas was efficient when it had the ball, converting 8 of 11 third downs and scoring on all 3 red zone trips. It simply didn't get enough snaps. The Giants were even better on the money downs, going 9 of 11 on third down and 4 of 4 in the red zone.
How It Happened
The Giants struck first. Cam Skattebo finished a drive with a 3-yard touchdown run at 6:40 of the first quarter, and Dominic Zvada's kick made it 7-0.
Dallas answered at 5:44 of the second quarter when Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for a 1-yard score, with Brandon Aubrey tying it at 7. The Giants took the lead back before the break, as Jaxson Dart hit Isaiah Likely from 15 yards out with 20 seconds left for a 14-7 halftime edge.
Dart and Likely connected again at 6:59 of the third quarter, this time from 2 yards, to make it 21-7. Javonte Williams pulled Dallas within a touchdown with a 1-yard run at 0:37 of the third.
The Giants restored the two-score cushion at 7:26 of the fourth when Dart threw a 9-yard touchdown to Devin Singletary for a 28-14 lead. Prescott hit Williams for a 17-yard score at 5:21, but Aubrey's extra point failed, leaving it at 28-20. Neither team scored again.
Key Performers
Jaxson Dart: 3 passing TD – 15 YDS and 2 YDS to Isaiah Likely, 9 YDS to Devin Singletary
Isaiah Likely: 2 receiving TD – 15 YDS, 2 YDS
Javonte Williams: 1 rushing TD (1 YD), 1 receiving TD (17 YDS)
Giants rushing (team): 37 ATT, 165 YDS, 4.5 YDS per carry
Giants passing (team): 23-29, 229 YDS, 0 INT
Cowboys passing (team): 22-34, 175 YDS, 1 INT
Dart's 3 touchdown throws were the difference, and Likely was his finisher twice. Williams accounted for both of Dallas's second-half scores, but each came after the Giants had already stretched the lead.
What It Means
The Giants open 1-0 with a home win, and they did it while overcoming 10 penalties for 114 yards. Winning through that many flags says a lot about how thoroughly the run game controlled the night.
The Cowboys start 0-1 after a road loss. Their ground game managed just 69 yards on 18 carries, about 4 yards a pop, which left Prescott throwing into a game script he couldn't change. Dallas averaged about 5 yards per play while New York averaged closer to 6.
The turnover battle was even at 1 apiece, and Dallas didn't allow a sack. That narrows the blame to one place: Dallas could not get off the field, and the Giants won the game in time of possession.