Cowboys defense looking Doomsday-ish on Sunday night

I know. It’s only one game, but wow.

The Dallas Cowboys defense could not have played better than the product they put on the field on Sunday night.

As the game was unfolding, I couldn’t even believe what was happening.

I had my six year old pinch my arm so many times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

Good news. It wasn’t a dream.

The Dallas Cowboys came into a rainy MetLife Stadium and ran Giants fans out by the middle of the third quarter.

New York faithful will tell you it was the rain, but that’s just an excuse to cover their shame.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 10: Chauncey Golston #99 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants forcing a fumble during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Defense Is Elite

As much hype as the new Texas Coast offense garnered in the offseason, it was the defense that stole the show.

Check out these notable stats from the Sunday night massacre of the Giants, along with the Week 1 NFL ranks.

Pass yards allowed, 63 (1st)
Pass yards per attempt, 2.1 (T-1st)
1st downs allowed, 5 (2nd)
Sacks, 7 (1st)
Forced fumbles, 3 (T-1st)
Interceptions, 2 (T-2nd)

Giants QB Daniel Jones looked like a deer in the headlights most of the night.

1st Half

On New York’s first drive, they actually gave their fans hope, and gave Cowboys fans a bit of indigestion.

After taking the opening kickoff, the Giants were actually driving down the field strictly on the legs of Jones and Saquon Barkley.

They totaled 52 yards rushing on just eight carries, and it all looked great up until the point it fell apart.

Facing a 3rd & 2 from the Dallas eight yard line, the threat of Micah Parsons forced Giants LT Andrew Thomas into a false start.

Now 3rd & 7 from the 13, Jones stood in shotgun as the snap flew over his head and was recovered by the offense all the way back at the 27 yard line.

Graham Gano came out to attempt the first points of the Giants season.

Instead, S Juanyeh Thomas burst through a gap in the line and cleanly blocked Gano’s kick.

The ball was picked up by newest trade acquisition Noah Igbinoghene, who rumbled 58 yards for the first Cowboys points of the season.

I don’t think anyone could have imagined that Dallas and the defense would just pour on that sweet victory syrup the entire rest of the game.

On the Giants next possession, they punted the ball away after going backwards 10 yards.

After a Cowboys field goal, the New York offense trotted back out onto the field.

Jones was sacked on 1st down, incomplete on 2nd down, and a swing pass to Barkley in the left flat on 3rd down was blown up by CB Trevon Diggs.

The ball popped up into the air, and was intercepted by CB DaRon Bland who trotted into the endzone from 22 yards out.

Down 16-0 before the Cowboys offense had a chance to warm up, the Giants then made it even worse for themselves.

Their following possessions resulted in a 3 & out, interception by Stephon Gilmore, missed field goal, and end of half.

2nd Half

After the break was no different for the Giants and their fans.

The Cowboys defense smelled blood in the water, and did not let up one bit.

Dallas’ offense slowed the game down as the rain picked up, and limited the Giants’ second half possessions to only five.

They went like this:

Punt
Downs
Fumble
Downs
End of game

Every time a big defensive play was made, it seemed like it was a different player contributing to the play.

The Cowboys defense is deep, and now have their sights set on Aaron Rodgers and the Jets next Sunday.