New York Giants

McAdoo Wins Debut, Giants Fend Off Cowboys 20-19

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Maybe New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo wore his lucky socks for his debut. Whatever the reason for Cowboys’ receiver Terrence Williams staying in-bounds was fortuitous. Giving Dallas kicker Dan Bailey any shot at a field goal would have been playing with fire. But Williams went left instead of right, and time expired on what became a 20-19 Giants’ victory.

What were the storylines for the season opener at AT&T Stadium?

New Cruz Debut

This was not just a feel good story. The GMen would not have won this game without Victor Cruz. Cruz had four catches on four targets, including the game-winning touchdown.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) reacts after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The touchdown was vintage Cruz, as his wiggled free from the left side across the middle of the end zone. The Giants primarily used Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard and Cruz as wideouts. Quarterback Eli Manning spread the targets around, as he threw only 28 passes; completing 19 of them.

Rookie Sterling Shepard’s leaping touchdown grab just before the first half ended put Big Blue ahead. Kicker Randy Bullock then botched the extrapoint.

Realistically, the Giants did not play great on either side of the ball, but came away with the victory. This was a critical win. Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported that Eli Manning said: “Just to know we can win the tight ones is helpful.”

Running Game Debut

When the Giants cut Andre Williams, many assumed that Orleans Darkwa would pick up his carries. I suggested that the team would use Shane Vereen to spell Rashad Jennings, which is what they did.

–Curt Macysyn, Sept. 4, 2016–

Jennings was rock solid with 18 carries for 75 yards; good for a 4.2 yard average. Vereen ran the ball six times for 38 yards (6.3 yards per carry). The lopsided time of possession was in favor of the Cowboys (36:43 vs. 23:17), so the running game was unable to be utilized in its entirety. That bodes well down the road for the offense.

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants running back Shane Vereen (34) runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Elliott’s Debut

In previous years, a running back like Ezekiel Elliott would have run all over the Giants. And the Cowboys’ game plan was to feed Elliott the ball. Elliott gained only 51 yards on 20 carries, a paltry 2.6 yards per carry.

Giants’ nemesis Alfred Morris should have been used more than seven carries that he got. Morris gained 35 yards on the afternoon (5.0 yard per carry) and no catches out of the backfield.

New Defense’s Debut

Statistically Olivier Vernon “only” had four tackles, but he was disruptive force all day. The Cowboys’ offensive line may be the best in the league, so the stats will come. Jonathan Casillas picked up where he left off in preseason and was flying around all afternoon. Casillas had 11 tackles. But there were also no quarterback sacks on the afternoon.

Rookies Darian Thompson and Eli Apple acquitted themselves well in their debuts. The defense limited Dez Bryant to one catch on the afternoon. Another potential touchdown fell incomplete as Bryant could not complete the catch in the end zone.

The defense allowed the Cowboys to dominate the time of possession, especially in the first half. “Good news/bad news deal here. Giants could not get off the field in the first half but three times held Dallas to field goals,” according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.

Getting off the field will be an area of improvement against the New Orleans Saints.

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