The Cowboys overcame a shaky start, plus two potential meltdowns at the end of both halves, to prevail 45-35 against the Giants on Sunday night. Tony Romo had a great game statistically, throwing for 345 yards and four touchdowns. His final TD, a 51-yarder to receiver Sam Hurd, put the game away.
Historically, here is where this win stands:
* Second time this decade that the Cowboys have opened the season with a win (Dallas beat San Diego 28-24 in 2005).
* First time since 1998 that the Cowboys opened at home and won the game (Dallas beat Arizona 38-10 at Texas Stadium).
* Most combined points scored (80) in the 90-game series between the Cowboys and Giants, beating the previous record of 73 (1973 and 1980).
Key Plays
1st Quarter (13:42): Eli Manning hit Plaxico Burress on a 60-yard touchdown. The pass was a deep post, and Burress beat Anthony Henry badly. Worst way to start the season defensively, but at least the Giants missed the extra point. Burress had 144 yards on eight receptions, plus three touchdowns.
1st Quarter (10:52): Romo found Jason Witten for a 23-yard gain on a third-and-6, giving Dallas the ball in New York territory. The Cowboys cut the lead to 6-3 with a Nick Folk field goal later in the drive.
2nd Quarter (starting at 12:01): The Cowboys started a drive on their own 44, and Romo immediately found Marion Barber on a 29-yard gain. Barber capped off the drive with an 18-yard touchdown to give Dallas a 10-6 lead.
2nd Quarter (7:52): Jacques Reeves picked off an Eli Manning pass on a third-and-seven from the Giant 29. Dallas scored on the ensuing drive when Romo hit Witten on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Dallas led 17-6 at that point.
2nd Quarter (0:21): After the Giants scored a touchdown to cut the Dallas lead to 17-13, Tyson Thompson fumbled on the ensuing kickoff. The turnover allowed the Giants to trim the lead even further after a field goal.
3rd Quarter (12:07): After Terrell Owens did not have a catch in the first half, Romo found Terrell Owens on two consecutive plays, including a 22-yard touchdown. It gives Dallas a 24-16 lead. Julius Jones also had a 21-yard run on the drive.
3rd Quarter (3:08): Three minutes after a Giant field goal, Romo hit Witten on a 38-yard pass to move the Cowboys to the New York 29. Three plays later, Romo ran it in from nine yards out to extend the Dallas lead to 31-19.
4th Quarter (11:52): Following another Giant field goal, Romo appeared to give the Cowboys a solid lead by hitting Owens on another touchdown, this time for 47 yards. The score gave Dallas a 38-22 lead.
4th Quarter (7:26): Manning cut the lead to 38-28 after a nine-yard score to Derrick Ward. On the Cowboys’ next drive, Romo was intercepted by Gibril Wilson, and Manning responded by throwing another touchdown. With 4:09 remaining, the Dallas lead was down to 38-35.
4th Quarter (3:11): On a third-and-seven from the Dallas 49, Romo threw a short slant to Sam Hurd, who raced past the Giant secondary for a 51-yard touchdown. The score gave the Cowboys a 45-35 lead and put the game away.
Who Looked Good?
Tony Romo
Romo looked shaky to start the game, but he made the plays that counted the most. His interception in the fourth quarter was not something he needs to repeat, though.
Stats: 15/24, 345 yards, 4 TD, 1 Int. (plus a rushing touchdown).
Jason Witten
Witten ran free over the middle all night and finished with 116 yards on six receptions.
Stats: 6 rec., 116 yards, 1 TD.
Terrell Owens
Dallas pays this guy to make the plays. His two touchdowns were huge.
Stats: 3 rec., 87 yards, 2 TD.
Marion Barber
Although Julius Jones had more carries and did not look bad, Barber seems to find ways to make extra yards.
Stats: 11 att., 65 yards, 1 TD.
Anthony Spencer
Give the kid credit– a rookie playing in his first game, and he was around the ball several times.
The Not-So-Goods
Anthony Henry
Cornerback Anthony Henry is no better now that he was last season. Burress made Henry look lost on the Giants’ first touchdown.
Roy Williams
Although Williams had eight tackles, he missed several as well, continuing to demonstrate that he will not wrap up. He also was not effective in coverage.
Offensive Line
Although not a terrible effort, the offensive line should have been more dominant, given that the Giants lost Osi Umenyiora early in the game and that the Giants played Michael Strahan sparingly. Fortunately, Romo was sacked only one time.
Stay Tuned…
Monday (9/10): Instant Trivia: Cowboys vs. Giants
Tuesday (9/11): Answers to Questions Waiting for Answers
Wednesday (9/12): Stats, Line Betting, and Fantasy
Thursday (9/13) Questions Waiting for Answers
Friday (9/14): History and Trivia
Saturday (9/15): Preview of Sunday’s Game
Sunday (9/16): Dallas at Miami, 3:05 p.m.
I was at the game tonight and I swear that place was like oven. The humidity about killed us. But other than that I do agree with most of what your saying and the defense looked so lost. We can’t panic yet, but I know we can do better against the Dolphins since they don’t have an offense and the only thing keeping them afloat is the defense of Miami. I’m just going to say this I hope the offense isn’t bailing out the defense this year like in this game.
Second, you got to put up ten minutes to know your dallas cowboys. I know you said it takes a while to make the show, but didn’t like doing it. I mean in this sport we only have 16 games plus playoff games to look forward to and then after that it gets boring after basketball and hockey are over. I and other Cowboy fans loved it so if you want to put the time and effort into doing I say go for it. It gives you something to do and accomplish. Other than that we had a great win except for the defense.
That’s more than enough encouragement to have me make another 10 Minutes show. Probably need to get started on that now…
The defense looked horrible. I just made an MBIII argument on my blog. Agree with it? let me know
I thought the offensive line gave Romo great protection all night. I mean, seriously, for the Cowboys to put up 45 points, the O-line must have been doing something right. 480+ yds of offense? Seems like the line must have been dominating somewhere. Jeez, Kickholder, what do you want? Perfection? We won a home opener. Think about that for a second.
Anyways, I was at the game, too. My first time ever at Texas Stadium for a real game. (I attended a preseason game once about 25 years ago.) It was awesome! But I agree, it was hotter than hell!!
And I thought I made real progress by giving credit to Terrell Owens Hell, I even considered referring to him as T.O.!