It was a very winnable game, familiar of how several contests went for the Cowboys last season.
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Dallas opens its season today at 4:25 p.m. E.T. against the Giants at AT&T Stadium. Cruz served as the star in his first game back in nearly two years. He went 19-of-28 for 207 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. As NJ.com reports, Manning recorded three touchdown passes including what ended up being the game winning touchdown pass to newly returned Victor Cruz.
The Giants (1-0) won the debut of coach Ben McAdoo after 12 years and two Super Bowl titles under Tom Coughlin while spoiling the first game for Dallas’ Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
Many wondered whether he would ever get back after missing the first two preseason games this year with a groin injury. Then the Giants emphasized the run to use most of the clock, quite a contrast to last season when questionable clock management contributed to six losses late in regulation or in overtime in a 6-10 season. The Giants added Eli Apple early in the draft, and Sterling Shepard is going to have a chance at receiver. If Cruz can continue to be a reliable option in the red zone, then he’ll make a risky combination with Odell Beckham Jr. This came after Cruz found a hole in the Cowboys defense while Manning began to navigate the pocket. This victory and the manner in which they achieved that victory should give Giants players, coaches, and fans hope for 2016.
Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott was truly impressive in the preseason, as he racked up 454 passing yards on 39 of 50 passes.
Dak Prescott makes his National Football League debut against the Giants.
It was a frustrating situation since had he gone out of bounds, it could have set up the potential game-winning field goal for the Cowboys to leave this game victorious.
The Cowboys got the ball back with just over a minute remaining, but Prescott was unable to lead the Cowboys into field goal range. Cruz finished with four catches for 34 yards and a touchdown in his return. Bailey had already hit a career long, 56-yarder earlier in the game. It will be his play-calling that will help ease the rookie into the game.
The Cowboys offense looked so good at times, but they just couldn’t finish off the drives. The offense had a clean game and Brandon Carr was able to get in front of an Eli Manning pass to jump-start the second half. The official signaled touchdown as Collins vehemently waved his arms, signaling no touchdown.
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The time of possession theory is great when the defense isn’t giving up quick touchdowns like it did twice in the first half and again in the fourth quarter. The nearest Giants defender was 5 yards away. They have converted 3 downs 47% time compared to Dallas who has turned it 38.9%. Bullock made two extra points but missed one wide left just before halftime.
