Recent years have been full of disappointment and heartbreak for the Dallas Cowboys, but they appear ready to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender this season.
In the 2023 NFL season’s Sunday Night Football opener, the Cowboys went on the road and took down the division-rival New York Giants 40-0.
It was a stunning beatdown from the Cowboys vs a Giants team that won a road playoff game in January.
The first touchdown of the game summarized how the night would go for both teams. A field-goal attempt from Giants kicker Graham Gano turned into a Cowboys touchdown in the first quarter.
The Cowboys block a Graham Gano kick and run it back for a touchdown! 🏈🤠 pic.twitter.com/9UksYDWvvR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 11, 2023
The game felt well out of hand before halftime. Dallas took a 26-0 lead with 8:03 remaining in the second 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
Many backups entered the game shortly into the fourth quarter — such as Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush for starter Dak Prescott — with the score 40-0.
NBC color commentator Cris Collinsworth said in the fourth quarter, “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
It’s the largest shutout in Dallas franchise history.
Largest shutout win in Cowboys history 😱 pic.twitter.com/7W7wzfQ8OK
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 11, 2023
To go with the shutout, the Cowboys’ defense had seven sacks on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, two interceptions, one pick-six, one blocked field goal for a touchdown, and five forced fumbles. The NFL official Twitter account called it an “all-time performance” by the Dallas defense, and it’s hard to argue with that.
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 notes that the Cowboys are the first NFL team in the last 24 years to open the season with a road shutout featuring at least 40 points scored.
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
The Cowboys will host another New York team in Week 2 when Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets go to Dallas.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.