All kinds of storylines dominated this game, including the odd Wednesday night schedule and Jason Witten's availability despite a spleen injury. But for the Cowboys, the real issue was trying to figure out how to beat the Giants, who knocked them out of the playoffs last year with two late-season wins.
On this season-opening night, the Cowboys were the better team, and they took it to the Giants all night, holding on for a 24-17 win at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Just a year ago, the Cowboys couldn’t hold onto a fourth-quarter lead against the Jets in the season opener in this very stadium.
This time around, Tony Romo was brilliant, passing for 307 yards, including 114 to third receiver Kevin Ogletree, who caught his first two touchdowns of his career. Witten was heroic in playing, although he wasn’t a huge factor. He did help RB DeMarco Murray rush for 131 yards.
The Cowboys’ defense under Rob Ryan was stellar. DeMarcus Ware had two sacks and they limited Eli Manning and the Giants to just 269 total yards of offense.
Stretching the lead: After a quiet first half that saw the Cowboys lead 7-3, Tony Romo helped break the game open on the first drive of the third quarter, hitting Kevin Ogletree on a 40-yard touchdown pass for a 14-3 lead, which quieted the already subdued MetLife Stadium crowd even more.
Three memorable plays
- The Cowboys had a first-and-30 on a drive that had already seen five penalties on the offense. But Romo lofted one up for Miles Austin, who out-jumped two defenders to haul in the touchdown for a 24-10 lead.
- Murray looked like he was stopped for a 2-yard loss before he avoided tacklers, then cut back to the sideline and raced 48 yards to set up a field goal in the third quarter.
- With the Cowboys needing a first down to seal the win, Tony Romo hit Ogletree on a quick slant for 13 yards on third and 10. After that, the Cowboys could simply run out the clock.
Ogletree's big night: Ogletree finished with 8 catches for 114 yards and 2 TDs. After the game, he got plenty of praise.
- Romo: “Kevin has had a great training camp. What I’ve seen in practice every day … this isn’t a surprise to me. He works hard and he’s gotten better. He did a really nice job. But I’ve had confidence in him all along.”
- Austin: “He was phenomenal tonight. Every time we needed a big play, K-O was there. I’m so proud of him.”
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: “We wouldn’t be standing here right now talking about this great win had it not been for Ogletree. He stepped up there and made plays for us the entire ballgame.”
Romo, Murray, Ware and Lee also shine: Romo -- 22 of 29 for 307 yards, 3 TD passes, one interception; Murray -- 20 carries, 131 yards. Ware -- five tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss. LB Sean Lee -- 12 tackles, one forced fumble.
Cowyboys lose penalty battle: Usually, a team that commits three times as many penalties as its opponents, coupled with playing on the road, will find itself in a major hole. Surprisingly, the Cowboys were able to overcome 13 penalties for 86 yards. The Giants had just four penalties for 33. The Cowboys had five on one drive and still managed to score a touchdown.
Injury update: The Cowboys suffered a big blow early in the game when center Phil Costa left the game with re-aggravated back injury. Costa had been bothered by the injury all preseason. He will likely benefit from the 10-day rest before the next game in Seattle. RB Felix Jones had a minor rib injury but returned and played in the fourth quarter.
What's next: For the second straight year, the Cowboys will play their first two road games on both coasts. Last year, the best they could do was a split with the Jets and the 49ers, but now the Cowboys have a great chance of starting 2-0 as they head to Seattle. And they’ll be somewhat rested with a 10-day break. Obviously, road games are hard to come by, but the Cowboys have already secured one of their toughest games of the season.
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