Recent years have brought disappointment and heartbreak for the Dallas Cowboys, but this season they appeared ready to become legitimate contenders for the Super Bowl.
In the opening game of the 2023 NFL season Sunday night football opener, the Cowboys traveled to face their division rivals, the New York Giants, and delivered a stunning 40-0 victory.
Right from the start, it was evident that the Cowboys were in control. The first touchdown of the game perfectly captured the tone for both teams.
The Cowboys block a Graham Gano kick and run it back for a touchdown! 🏈🤠 pic.twitter.com/9UksYDWvvR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 11, 2023
By the end of the second quarter, the Cowboys had built a commanding 26-0 lead.
With a score of 40-0, many backups, including Cooper Rush, who replaced the starting quarterback Dak Prescott, entered the game in the fourth quarter.
This is a nightmare for the Giants.
The Cowboys take a 26-0 lead with 8:03 to go in the second quarter. 🏈🤠#SNF pic.twitter.com/2TfBewoLS7
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 11, 2023
The dominance of the Cowboys was acknowledged by NBC color commentator, Cris Collinsworth, who remarked, “This is wild. I mean, just wild. [The Cowboys] are just DESTROYING the Giants. DESTROYING them. I mean, some of these hits tonight have been extraordinary."
"This is wild. I mean, just wild. They are just DESTROYING the Giants. DESTROYING them. I mean, some of these hits tonight have been extraordinary."- Cris Collinsworth on the Cowboys pic.twitter.com/bBWZkImRGq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 11, 2023
This victory is the largest shutout in the history of the Dallas franchise.
Largest shutout win in Cowboys history 😱 pic.twitter.com/7W7wzfQ8OK
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 11, 2023
The Cowboys" defense played a crucial role in their victory, delivering an exceptional performance.
They sacked Giants quarterback Daniel Jones seven times, intercepted the ball twice, scored a pick-six, blocked a field goal for a touchdown, and forced five fumbles.
The NFL’s official Twitter account described it as an “all-time performance" by the Dallas defense, and it"s difficult to argue with that assessment.
The @dallascowboys defense put on an all-time performance tonight:
7 SACKS
2 INT
1 PICK-6
1 BLOCKED FG TD
5 FORCED FUMBLES
0 POINTS ALLOWED pic.twitter.com/GrQYvl1qE8— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2023
ESPN highlights the fact that the Cowboys are the first NFL team in the past 24 years to start the season with a road shutout while scoring at least 40 points.
The Cowboys are the first team in the last 24 years to open their season with a shutout of 40+ points on the road 😳 pic.twitter.com/lFWxpcSnrG
— ESPN (@espn) September 11, 2023
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will continue their home games by hosting another New York team in Week 2.
This time they will face the New York Jets, led by Aaron Rodgers.
