Cowboys fall 28-20 to Giants in season opener as new defense struggles
Dallas lost to New York 28-20, with the Cowboys' revamped defense failing to pressure the quarterback and the offense hampered by penalties and turnovers.
The Dallas Cowboys were defeated 28-20 by the New York Giants on Sunday, marking a disappointing start for the team’s newly restructured defense. Owner Jerry Jones admitted on a pre-game radio interview that he felt “apprehensive” and “nervous” about how the defense would perform, a sentiment that was reflected in the game’s outcome.
The Giants dominated third-down situations, converting nine of 11 attempts, and used their pass rush to limit Dallas’s running game to an average of three yards per carry in the first half. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while being pressured repeatedly.
Dallas incurred seven penalties for 60 yards in the first half, the most any team has recorded in a season opener this year, and finished with nine penalties for 90 yards. A taunting penalty in the fourth quarter pushed a point-after attempt back 15 yards, resulting in a missed kick.
The Cowboys recorded only two sacks, one by rookie Caleb Downs, far below the pass-rush production the team hoped to emulate from last season’s Denver Broncos. The lack of pressure allowed Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart to complete a four-play, 54-yard drive that ended with a touchdown.
"When I saw he went to New York, my heart sank," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said when asked about Giants head coach John Harbaugh, expressing concern over the physical style the new coach brings.
The loss highlights early challenges for Dallas as it seeks to improve its defensive impact and avoid costly penalties while the season progresses.