Cowboys Upset Giants In Opener

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The Dallas Cowboys opened the season with a surprise 24-17 victory in New York over the Giants.

Both teams struggled offensively to open the game.  The Giants were running through the Dallas offensive line with ease.  Even after the Cowboys recovered a Giants fumble, they could not capitalize on the turnover due to a pair of false start penalties, predictable play calling, a poor choice by quarterback Tony Rome, and, most of all, a questionable play call on 4th and inches.

The penalties are a major concern for the Cowboys.  On four consecutive offensive drives, Dallas was called for one or more penalties.  The Cowboys were penalized a total of 13 times for 86 yards.

On the 4th and 1 attempt, the Giants brought every player, 11 men, to stack the line in the middle.  Rather than audible out of a planned run, the Cowboys handed the ball to Lawrence Vickers, who was hit before the line and pushed backwards.  This has to be one of the worst play calls in the history of football.  Dallas had shown a weak middle of the offensive line so far in the game, the Giants

have one of the best defensive lines in football, Vickers had not been given the ball previously, and the Giants made no effort to hide the fact they were stunting to the middle.

The first four Cowboys drives resulted in no score.  Only once did Dallas cross the 50-yard line.

Defensively, the Cowboys looked spectacular in the first half.  The only Giants score came after an interception which Tyron Smith was able to stop at the goal line with a horse-collar tackle.  The Cowboys made a defensive stand and limited the Giants to a field goal.

Late in the first half, the Cowboys finally put together a 73 yard drive which resulted in a touchdown pass from a scrambling Romo to Kevin Ogletree.

The Cowboys opened the 2nd half with an 80 yard TD drive, capped by another Romo to Ogletree touchdown, this one for 40 yards.

The Dallas offense was unstoppable in the 2nd half, scoring on four straight possesions before running out the clock.  DeMarco Murray showed power and speed as he was allowed to go off-tackle time after time.  With the Giants having to worry about receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, the corners could do little to handle Murray and Ogletree.

The Cowboys gained 433 yards in the game, while holding New York to just 269.  Tony Romo completed 22 of 29 passes for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns.   Murray rushed for 131 yards on 20 carries.  Ogletree was the surprise of the game, catching 8 passes for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Bryant and Austin caught 4 passes each, seemingly all at key times.  Austin scored 1 touchdown on a 1st and 30 play when he went up between two Giants defenders to take the ball and run into the end zone from 34 yards out.

The Cowboys have to feel good about a big road win over a divistional opponent.  They showed explosiveness on offense and aggressiveness on defense.  If they can shore up the offensive line, and reduce the mental mistakes which create penalties, this team could be special.

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