'Like a Super Bowl!' Cowboys Dismantle Giants For Statement Win

The Dallas Cowboys crushed the division-rival New York Giants on Sunday Night Football to send a message to the NFL

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Leading up to the Dallas Cowboys' season opener here against the New York Giants, star linebacker Micah Parsons likened the importance of the game to the Super Bowl itself.

The Cowboys certainly played like a championship was on the line with a 40-0 drubbing of their NFC East rivals on "Sunday Night Football.'' This game marks the Cowboys' largest victory over the Giants since 1966, when they won 52-7 in Dallas.

“This,'' Dak Prescott said after the dominating win, "belongs to the defense.” 

On offense, the Cowboys really didn't do anything too special. They had a solid offensive game with 265 total yards and 18 first downs, but it wasn't a particularly exceptional showing.

That said, the offense didn't need to play over its head when the defense dominated as much it did. The Cowboys completely shut down the Giants' attack, allowing just 174 total yards and 14 first downs. Dallas also had seven sacks, two interceptions, including a pick six by safety DaRon Bland, and five forced fumbles with one recovery.

Dallas' pass-rush may have been the most impressive unit on the night, which is saying quite a lot. Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston each had a sack, while Dorance Armstrong and Asa Odigihizuwa had two each. As a team, the Cowboys had 11 QB hits on the night.

Even Dallas' special teams had a dominant showing on Sunday night. The Giants attempted a field goal on their opening drive to take an early lead, but the Cowboys blocked it and newly-acquired cornerback Noah Igbinoghene ran it back 58 yards for a touchdown. New York also missed its only other field goal attempt on the night, while Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey went two-for-two on field goals and four-for-five on extra points in his NFL debut.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a semi-quiet game with 13 completions on 24 attempts for 143 yards, but again, he didn't really need to do much. ... and he avoided his 2022 bugaboo of interceptions by avoiding any turnovers. He even got to take most of the fourth quarter off as backup quarterback Cooper Rush came in to finish off the game. Running back Tony Pollard had a strong showing with 70 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

For New York, there were essentially no positive takeaways, particularly on offense. Quarterback Daniel Jones had an awful game, completing 15 of 28 passes for 104 yards and two interceptions. Running back Saquon Barkley didn't fare much better, rushing for 51 yards on 12 attempts.

The Cowboys return home to face another New York team as they host Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on Sept. 17, and no, just like this one, that won't really be "like a Super Bowl,'' either. But if the Cowboys continue to play at this level? Micah Parsons and friends might be destined to eventually experience the real thing.