New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. AP Photo Frank Franklin II
Haley Aguayo
Staff Writer
Cowboys fans experienced a whirlwind of emotions during the Week 3 game against the New York Giants on Sept. 26. This was the first game of the season that the ‘Boys have had to play against a fellow NFC East team, and the second game without starting quarterback Dak Prescott. Despite that, fans and the team, Prescott included, only showed love for backup quarterback Cooper Rush.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush passes against the New York Giants. AP Photo Adam Hunger
Speaking of love, a short video detailing the history of the deep-rooted rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants played before the game started, highlighting that there is “love and hate” between the teams as the video showcased good sportsmanship and fights that have broken out between the two teams over the years.
Division games often make for good TV and enticing showdowns. This game, surely, was nothing short of that.
The Giants were the first to attempt to put some points on the board during the first quarter. They struggled to get a touchdown so they attempted a field goal but the ball was tipped and blocked by Dallas defensive end Dorance Armstrong.
This was Armstrong’s second field goal block. His first was during the 2021 season when he stopped a field goal attempt by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Due to this, the Cowboys were the first to score, though they too struggled to get a touchdown. That was a recurring issue for the ’Boys. The scored a field goal instead by kicker Brett Maher.
The offensive line definitely cleaned up their act, especially compared to how they played in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During their first game, the offensive line would spread out, leaving Prescott vulnerable to attacks. This game showed a more narrow offensive line creating tighter and smaller holes, allowing Rush more time to make a play.
Defense improved their strategies as well. Different players managed to sack Giants QB Daniel Jones five times before the fourth quarter but most notable was defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence with three sacks of his own.
In his attempt to push back the Giants, Lawrence got hurt and was walked off the field. He was met by clapping and support by both teams, only to join the game again during the fourth quarter, personally taking fans on a wave of emotions.
A fault made by Dallas was their underestimation of QB Jones. Despite being sacked many times throughout the game, he was able to make several of his own first downs. That was just carelessness on Dallas’ end.
Another seemingly unstoppable force from New York was none other than running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 81 yards and scored a TD during the third quarter. The Giants took the lead after that for a bit.
New York kicker Graham Gano and Maher were key players in the game, making up most of the points in the first half.
Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott was the first to make a TD for the Cowboys but it was CeeDee Lamb’s one-handed catch in the end zone that stole the show in the fourth quarter.
Retired Cowboys player and fellow number 88, Dez Bryant cheered for Lamb from his suite after the current wide receiver took one out of Bryant’s playbook with that catch.
New York wide receiver Sterling Shepard suffered a non-contact injury and had to be carted off the field.
Members from his team surrounded him and patted him on the head in support, followed by Dallas players heading to the cart to do the same thing. That was an excellent show of sportsmanship.
The ball traveled up and down the field during the final quarter and just when the Giants started to inch closer and closer to the end zone, Jones threw and Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs caught.
That final interception ended the game since Dallas let the clock run out. The game ended with one big fight on the field between the two teams so players didn’t get the chance to congratulate each other as they usually do. The score ended with a win for Dallas, Cowboys 23- Giants 16.
