Offense Fails as Giants Fall to Dallas in Season Opener
By Jesse Connor
The Giants lost a heart breaker 27-26 to the Dallas Cowboys to open the 2015 season. Despite the close score the Giants did not play well at all. The offense was pathetic, the defense caused three turnovers but wasn’t able to contain the Cowboys.
The lone bright spot for the Giants was the play from cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Prince Amukamara, and Trumaine McBride.
The Giants had numerous opportunities to put this game away early but red-zone inefficiencies and a terrible play call burried them in the end.
Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants cornerback D. Rodgers-Cromartie (41) returns a fumble for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants defense did not let the Cowboys run too well, limiting Dallas to 81 yards on 23 carries for a modest 3.5 yards per carry. The secondary played extremely well, Trumaine McBride had an interception which he returned to the 1 yard line as well as a forced fumble that was recovered by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and brought back to the house for a touchdown. Brandon Merriweather laid a few big hits, including the one that deflected McBride’s interception. Cromartie played the best game I’ve seen him play, a real complete game from a corner, he covered very well all game, tackled well, recovered a fumble for a touchdown and broke up several passes. He was flagged in the 4th quarter on an offal pass interference call which should have forced Dallas to kick a field goal. Instead, they got the ball on the goal line and scored on the next play.
Linebacker Uani Unga lead the team with 12 tackles and an interception, he played well in his first NFL game. His inexperience showed up though as he allowed Jason Witten to run a simple stick route to the goal line and catch the game winner.
Despite playing better then most expected the Giants generated zero pass rush and gave Tony Romo all day to throw the ball. The defense caved in on the last drive, where Dallas scored the go ahead touchdown with just :07 seconds to go.
The Giants offense did nothing to help out the defense. The Giants scored 17 points off of the turnovers created by the defense while the offense generated just 9 points on its own. Going 1 for 4 in the red zone kept the Cowboys alive in this game. The Giants failed to pull away from Dallas despite being given numerous opportunities. Several 3rd down passes were dropped, including one by Larry Donnell and two by Preston Parker. The decision to keep Parker over James Jones (who scored 2 TD today) is one that for the time being looks like a poor one.
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Eli Manning was unimpressive throwing for just 193 yards on a 55% completion percentage. He did not have much time in the pocket and it showed as the Giants leading receiver was running back Shane Vereen, with 46 yards.
On a positive note, the Giants did not turn the ball over. Rookie Ereck Flowers showed great maturity restraining retaliation after being struck by defensive lineman Jeremy Mincey. Tight end Daniel Fells blocked well as he usually does and had a few receptions early in the game.
Rashad Jennings ran the ball well, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Wide Receivers Odell Beckham and Rueben must do a better job of getting open as they combined for just 69 yards on 8 catches.
I expect the offense, especially the passing game, to be much better as the season rolls on. Despite the loss, and a tough one at that, the Giants have a lot to build on. If the line can continue to develop and give Manning time to throw the ball this team will put up points. If the defense can find a pass rush this Giants defense is going to be very good and a lot better then anyone thought. Despite blowing it at the end it was the defense that kept the Giants in this game. The offense failed, numerous times, and as a result the Giants are 0-1.