It was the first win for the Cowboys against the G-Men at the new stadium – renamed to AT&T Stadium before the season.
Previously called Cowboys Stadium, the Giants entered this game with a 4-0 record in Arlington’s “Jerry World”.
Eli Manning struggled early, having his first pass of the game intercepted by DeMarcus Ware.
The Giants would turn it over on their first three possessions, but the Cowboys could not take advantage. The first quarter ended in a 3-3 tie, with Dan Bailey kicking a 30-yard field goal after the Ware interception.
DeMarco Murray made arguably the biggest play of the game in the quarter when he chased down Ryan Mundy on an interception down to the one-yard line. The Dallas defense held New York to a field goal.
The Cowboys would find the endzone for the first time in the second quarter when Tony Romo found Jason Witten for a historic touchdown. Witten surpassed 9,000 career receiving yards – becoming the second Cowboy to achieve that number.
The score gave the Cowboys a 13-3 lead.
However, Manning and Victor Cruz began their comeback on the ensuing drive. Cruz hauled in a 70-yard touchdown to cut the score to 13-10.
That would be the score going into the locker room…
The turnover bug bit the Giants once again on their opening drive of the second half when Nick Hayden forced David Wilson to fumble. Barry Church picked it up and ran it back 27 yards to extend the Cowboys lead to ten.
A muffed punt by the Giants near the end of the quarter allowed Romo to find Witten for another score, and the Cowboys led 27-17 after three.
It was Victor Cruz who found the endzone once again for New York in the third quarter.
After a Bailey field goal, Cruz would get a trifecta of touchdowns when Manning found him on a third down and short play to cut the lead to 30-24 early in the fourth quarter.
Both defenses would step up to hold this score until just before the two-minute warning. With the Giants driving, Cowboys’ fans had seen this script from New York one too many times.
Brandon Carr agreed, intercepting Manning near midfield on a pass that bounced off the hands of back Darrell Scott. He ran it back for the clinching score – extending the lead to 36-24.
The Giants would add a garbage time touchdown, but it was Rod Marinelli’s defense that stole the show and set the tone for the season. The Giants were humbled, falling to 4-1 in the Cowboys’ new home.
The Cowboys would beat the Giants again on the road in week 12 to sweep the season series.
New York returned to AT&T Stadium last season in week seven.
We’ll take a look at that game on Thursday to lead up to the 2015 opener, against the Giants – at AT&T Stadium.
Until then, continue to follow @InsideTheStarDC and @CowboysNation – as well as myself @ShoreSportsNJ – to get ready for gameday!
