This was a disaster. The worst season opener ever. Even during halftime, many Giants fans hoped the team could have made the game a little competitive. This was not the case, as Daniel Jones and the New York Giants fall to the Dallas Cowboys 40-0 in their week one opener.
Let’s review everything that happened on what was a devastating night for Big Blue and a happy night for the Cowboys.
Offense
New York’s first drive of the game was the best one out of the entire game. They depended mostly on the run, gathering 56 yards on the ground. However, a high snap on third down led to a field goal attempt. Unfortunately, it was blocked and returned for a touchdown by Dallas’s Noah Igbinoghene.
After that, it was just a mix of all of the bad results that can happen to an offense. Holding penalties, tackled for losses, receiver drops, sacks, you name it. The Giants only amassed 171 yards of offense, despite winning the time of possession 33:28 to 26:32. Oh, did I mention it was pouring rain?
Daniel Jones had two interceptions (one of them being mishandled by Saquon Barkley and then into the hands of DaRon Bland). In the end, he threw for 104 yards to go along with his 43 yards on the ground. Speaking of Barkley, he did have 63 all-purpose yards on the night.
The team’s leading receiver was Darren Waller, who had three receptions for 36 yards. No other receiver had more than 24 yards.
Finally, we have the main culprit for this loss: the offensive line. Every single one of the linemen played like complete garbage. It seemed as if Jones was met with a defender in his face not even a second after he got the ball. Andrew Thomas had a couple of holding penalties. Evan Neal was being burnt by not just Micah Parsons but Dorance Armstrong. Armstrong? Are you kidding me? So much for improvement from the first-round right tackle.
Center John Michael Schmitz looked like he had the rookie yips. Ben Bredeson and Mark Glowinski weren’t great either. Matter of fact, the latter was responsible for three of the sacks. Someone needs to go, and it’s him.
Grade: F or honestly a D- at best
Defense
The Giants’ defense didn’t play as bad as the offense. But, they were still terrible.
If they were going to win this game, New York needed to get to Dak Prescott and pressure him. Heck, left guard Tyler Smith was out with an injury. Sure, the Giants should have taken advantage of that left side to get to the quarterback?
Nope. New York finished the game with just three quarterback hits. No sacks. None from Kayvon Thibodeaux, Azeez Ojulari, Leonard Williams, or anyone else.
Oh, they forced a fumble? WOW! For what?
I get the whole thing about how Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins III should be the two starting cornerbacks after their performance in camp and the preseason. I’m sorry, but with the exception of Banks, expectations for Hawkins should be lowered. The most notable play from Hawkins III was a pass interference. Nice job, rookie. Adoree’ Jackson should be put back as the starting cornerback on the outside along with Banks. There were plenty of times where Dallas threw towards Hawkins and gained positive yardage.
As for Banks, he did have two pass deflections. A small positive in a bunch of negatives from a defense that allowed 40 points and 265 total yards of offense.
Grade: D
Special Teams
Two missed field goals by Graham Gano? A kicker you just signed to an extension? Nice!
Grade: F
Up Next
This was a terrible game. But, the Giants head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals next Sunday. If they play the way they did today against a tanking team like Arizona? Now, that will be a bigger topic of discussion.
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Featured Image: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
