The New York Giants bounced back with a much-needed NFC East victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. (Getty)
Final
Dallas Cowboys 3-10-0-7 — 20
New York Giants 7-3-10-7 — 27
The New York Giants did good things on Sunday afternoon.
Offense, defense, special teams. It all (mostly) worked for the Big Blue as the squad got back on track with a much-needed victory. It was also the fourth straight loss for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Giants recorded three interceptions, including a Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie pick six, and bent but never totally broke against a Dallas run game that racked up 233 yards.
Eli Manning finished with 157 passing yards while Shane Vereen led the run game with 56 yards. The highlight, however, was Dwayne Harris’ 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to give the Giants a lead they would never again surrender.
It’s the first time the Giants have beaten the Cowboys since 2012 and the 100th victory on the New York sideline for Tom Coughlin. Click here for a full box score of the matchup and read on for a recap of the game’s best moments.
Dwayne Harris Returned the Kickoff 100 Yards for the Giants
Dwayne Harris ties a Giants record for longest kickoff return. 100 yards.
The Giants have now scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams. Check out this return:
Harris used to play for the Cowboys.
Devin Street Made a Fantastic Catch to Tie Up the Game in the Fourth Quarter
If you’re a Cowboys fan, you’re going to want to watch that one again. If you’re a Giants fan, you’re going to want to turn away.
Somehow, Devin Street got both feet down and held onto that ball long enough to tie up the game on a 25-yard touchdown reception from Matt Cassell.
This one isn’t over quite yet, guys.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s 60-YD INT Return Put the Giants Back on Top
After a few misses and almost-theres earlier in the game, Rodgers-Cromartie came through big time early in the third quarter, picking off Matt Cassell and returning the ball into the end zone for a Big Blue defensive touchdown.
That’ll change the momentum. Great INT by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 60-yard return for a touchdown.
Rodgers-Cromartie read the play almost perfectly and, quite simply, stepped in front of the receiver. Plus, he’s pretty fast. It’s the first Giants interception returned for a touchdown in over 20 games.
Darren McFadden Barreled in for a Cowboys Touchdown
That is first TD for Cowboys in last six quarters. Cowboys offense has scored on three of its first four possessions under Matt Cassel.
After having one touchdown called back by an offensive flag, the Cowboys answered with another run at the end zone, taking advantage of a New York flag this time. Check it out:
Orleans Darkwa Put the Giants Up Early in the Second
In his first three carries of the game, Orleans Darkwa gained positive yardage, ran over Greg Hardy and then notched the Giants first touchdown of the afternoon. So, that’s a pretty solid performance.
It’s a surprising appearance from the former undrafted free agent. As far as Twitter has reported, the Giants just seem to be giving him a chance on the field:
Darkwa with four carries for 41 yards and a touchdown. … As far as we know, none of the RBs are hurt. Giants just giving him a shot.
Game Preview
Your move, New York Giants offensive line.
The guys up front will be tested in a big way this week, facing off against a Dallas Cowboys defensive front that is, finally, completely healthy. The same can’t quite be said for Big Blue.
That makes this difficult.
Greg Hardy, who missed the first four games of the season due to suspension, is back in the lineup, as is Randy Gregory, who missed the last four games with a high ankle sprain. Add into the mix Tyrone Crawford and DeMarcus Lawrence and the Cowboys present a pretty ferocious defensive attack.
“Four pass-rushers getting after the quarterback? Can’t get better than that,” Lawrence said earlier this week. “We keep practicing the way we practice, I feel like we’re going to be pretty good.”
The Giants haven’t done much to inspire confidence in the o-line either. In last week’s loss to Philadelphia, Eli Manning was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. It was the first time he’d thrown more than one pick in a game since Week 2 of last season.