The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2023 season with an emphatic and historic 40-0 win over the New York Giants, starting the season off 1-0 for the first time since 2019.
The Cowboys made history with their 40-0 shutout against the Giants, the largest shutout in series history, beating out a 35-0 win set back in 1995.
The key to winning this game was getting off to an early start, and the Cowboys did this flawlessly, jumping out to a 16-0 first-quarter lead while keeping the Giants out of the end zone for the entire night.
All three cylinders were hitting throughout the entire game.
Highlights From The Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
Highlights from the game included Juanyeh Thomas blocking a kick that ended in a scoop six for Noah Igbinoghene.
COWBOYS BLOCKED FG TOUCHDOWN
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The game also saw Daron Bland with a pick-six off of a Trevon Diggs pass breakup.
DARON BLAND PICK-6!
ANOTHER D/ST TD FOR THE @DallasCowboys!
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We can’t forget Stephon Gilmore’s first interception of the game and as a member of the Cowboys.
Stephon Gilmore with his first interception as a Cowboy pic.twitter.com/jbbb6Whwif
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota)
Other highlights included Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence each with one sack, and Osa Odighizuwa and Dorance Armstrong with two each. Additionally, Trevon Diggs forced a fumble from Isaiah Hodgins, which ended in a recovery by Israel Mukuamu.
The Cowboys Defense is Elite
The talk of the game will be the level Dan Quinn’s defense continues to play at.
The unit picked up right where they left off last season, recording seven sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble, continuously putting pressure on Daniel Jones throughout the night.
The seven sacks within the game were the second-most in a season opener in Cowboys’ team history, just behind the 1994 opener that had nine.
The Dallas Cowboys have seven sacks in tonight’s game, the second-most in a season opener in team history, trailing only the 1994 season opener when Dallas tallied nine sacks against Pittsburgh (9/4/94).
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR)
With the run defense being the unit’s downfall last season, all eyes were on the trenches. But the defensive line stuffed the trenches throughout the game, giving the Giants nowhere to go. The Giants had 108 rushing yards throughout the entire game, most when the game was out of reach.
The “Texas Coast” Offense Will Have Dak Prescott Playing His Best
Special teams and defense started the momentum early for the Cowboys, while it took the offense a little longer to shake off the rust.
Dak Prescott looked comfortable playing under Mike McCarthy’s play calling in the new “Texas Coast” offensive scheme.
Prescott surpassed 25,000 career passing yards after throwing for 91 in the first half. Prescott and Aaron Rodgers are now the only players in NFL history to accumulate 25,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in their first 100 career games.
With 91 passing yards in the first half, Dak Prescott surpassed 25,000 career passing yards.
Prescott joins Aaron Rodgers as the only two players in NFL history to amass 25,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in their first 100 career games.
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR)
Overall, the communication issues that plagued the Cowboys’ offense are becoming a subject of the past. Sunday’s game showed precisely why the offseason work to build chemistry has paid dividends.
If there is one thing to nitpick about, it would be Prescott’s completion percentage (54%). But considering this was the first game, he should warm up even more as the season continues.
The Cowboys Are Better Than They Were Last Season
This is an obvious statement; the level they played in week one of the season, with the starters having no preseason playing time, is worth discussing.
With many unknowns going into this game, the bar has been set for what this team can do if they all remain healthy.
Tony Pollard stepped into the starting running back role Sunday night and had 70 yards on 14 attempts with two touchdowns.
KaVontae Turpin also found himself in the end zone for a touchdown during mop-up work.
Turpin Touchdown ✅
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The young tight end room showed out not only as receiving threats but also played a huge role in blocking throughout the night. But dropped balls could be a point of emphasis for them over the next week.