On offense the team was determined to run the ball. The Giants were determined to stop it. The LB sold out hard on run looks trying to flank OL getting to the second level making themselves susceptible to play action but prevent the second level from getting mucked up on runs.
The Cowboys OL looked very athletic reaching blocks but struggled to sustain against Harrison and JPP. The Giants started the game lining Snacks right over Fred until a couple of doubles with Martin washed him out. They shaded him strong side after that.
The TE did a nice job blocking on the edge. Pass protection was good outside of a few snaps from LC. I will address these in more detail later.
Their LBer did not do much in coverage outside of screens but their ability to attack downhill on run looks paid dividends throughout the game. The OL struggled to get consistent push and suffered penetration as a result.
The coverage outside was outstanding outside from Jenkins and Apple. Jenkins was helped significantly by the refs blind eye towards contact past 5 yards. They allowed him to shove Dez to the boundary from the snap all the way downfield on any pass downfield. The coverage on the middle of the field was much softer and the Cowboys were able to do the majority of their damage on in cuts and routes out of the slot. Despite a PD and some tackles Collins was not a factor in this game.
Dak's accuracy was erratic. He completed over 60% of his pass but I counted 4 passes where he was nowhere near his man despite having time to throw. His pocket presence was outstanding and his base looks stronger than last year. You cannot arm tackle the man. Hard to complain overall given he did not turn the ball over and won the game but I imagine he will have a lot to be critical of in the film room and on the practice field this week.
Zeke did not have a lot of room to run down in and down out but his ability to put his head down and push the pile paid will this game. He is a force between the tackle with his vision, power, and decisiveness. He shows good pop in pass protection. He still had good hands and YAC ability. They flexed him out early but did not really look his way at all. Would like to see some curls and slants from him in addition to the flares and screens.
Morris was getting hit in the backfield but he wasn't making people miss either. Not that DMC would have done much better but his performance was underwhelming.
Keith Smith did not get much play as we ran mostly 21 and 11 sets. The LB jumping the line did not help much either. On punt coverage he was beating blockers down the field consistently.
Witten was able to work the middle of the field and find soft spots and separation throughout the game. Would like to see more consistent sustain on LB in the run game but he was reaching consistently. Was able to sustain in pass pro the few times he was asked to do so. His breaking record speaks to his career obviously.
Hanna remains our best blocking TE good to see him back. Was able to turn and seal on the edge and reach cutoffs on the backside. Comboed with Witten to wipe out the edge on one down. Proficient in pass pro. Did well in coverage on ST. Welcome back to the NFL, James.
Swaim reaches okay but he was soft and inconsistent with his hands. Found open spots in the zone when running patterns but was never looked at.
Dez struggled with Jenkins riding him downfield and making the contested catch. Dak threw it was way on single coverage as he should but I did not like him getting pushed around. His hand fighting did seem better but would like to see him hold his ground better. He did get one PI flag but really holding should have been called to stop the downfield contact. He was able to get free a few times and Dak didn't read it going elsewhere or made a bad throw. Was able to do some damage on slants and in routes. To his credit he kept his composure and his head in the game.
TWill was giving the Giants fits on ins and slants. Good to see getting paid did not cost the quickness he displayed last season. Had a drop. Blocking was outstanding. He hurt his ankle early got it taped up and received a shot for the pain. Kept playing but was limping noticeably by the end of the game.
Butler had a nice completion downfield laying out to beat tight coverage to set up the first score. He had a drop and another pass where I would have liked to see him shield off the coverage better. Blocking downfield was key on a couple runs where Zeke got outside.
Beasley had to be doubled or he was able to get open. Drew a lot of attention inside but that opened things up for others. Still made several catches including the circus catch on the boundary. Little more than a road bump as a blocker.
Switzer had 2 or more defenders in his face on all his PR. They tried to block a couple of the punts but even when they were blocking they could not slow down the coverage worth a damn. Blocking outside was particularly bad. Harris owned them. Heard someone say that he should have gone inside on the return down the left sideline but the inside coverage had beaten their blocks. The supposed lane was not there.
Smith made Vernon a not factor. Was getting push on guards when blocking inside and clearing lanes when pulling. Watching him reach blocks on runs away from him makes me smile every time. Back seemed no issue at all.
Green was consistent. When isolated on a guard he was able to sustain and while he did not get significant push he more than held his own. His ability to get outside and upfield on the second level was outstanding. He was uncovered consistently and his quickness was put to good work. Had no issues in pass protection that I could see although Zeke helped him with his block a couple of times.
Fred had a rough game particularly by his standards. He could reach Snacks but he could not stop him from ripping his hands off and pursuing. Was isolated most snaps but was able to team with his guards a handful of times to driving effect. Was much better in pass protection where he was able to get the DT off balance and pancake them a few times.
It's fun watching teams try to stunt on the OL. The picks don't push them out of place at all and the looper has a long way to go to get home. Makes it a lot easier to see and react to the line games.
Martin was steady and when isoed on Snacks able to sustain for the most part. When there was significant push at the poa he was right in the middle of it. Great in pass protection but no real wow plays for this game.
Collins was isolated down after down onto JPP and while he gave up 2 pressures and a holding penalty I think that context needs to be kept in mind. Needs to sustain better in the run game Did do a nice job in space. Needs to win these battles in isolation to be elite but it was telling that the team never felt the need to keep Witten in or shade the back or chip to his side.
On defense the Cowboys were content with a 3 or 4 man rush backed up with cover 3 and cover 2 calls. They blitzed the slot corner a few times and that was it. They did run stunts throughout the game
The Cowboys gave no respect to the GIants run. The LB and underneath coverage stayed home until the handoff was complete. This allowed the Giants OL to get to the second level but the DL was consistent in beating single blocks to get in on plays. 2.9 YPC speaks for itself.
When passing, the Giants tried to take advantage of the zone coverage with crossing routes but the underneath coverage was able to get good depth on their drops clogging the middle. Their quickness made for small holes in the zone. The Giants only made downfield attempts a couple of times.
The Giants blockers were soft on the edges tackles and TE alike. The interior OL played pretty well though. They could not get push or consistently sustain but they were able to reach blocks and prevent interior rushers to beat them cleanly with quickness. With the quick passing game that kept DT off of Eli outside of a few times.
In the first half the Cowboys defense did not rotate much at all only bring in 98 and 97. During and after the sustained drive to start the second half the team started rotating liberally. Brown started off as the nickel. After Scandrick went down Awuzie was the nickel. The dime S was Heath while Frazier came in to play a deep S.
DLaw is playing as well as he ever has. The Giants tackles could not get their hands on him as he showed bend, balance, and lean to make himself skinny. Polished in technique, quickness, power, and consistent effort were on display. Got off blocks to make TFL, beat Hart clean on an inside counter, got free on the outside to get credit for his second sack, and hit the QB a couple times on top of that. Best DL performance we have seen in 5 or so years.
Collins got a lot of attention from the Giants interior line and saw double teams throughout the game. Did a good job keeping the motor going but some frustration showed through when he took Eli to the ground after he had gotten rid of the ball. That nullified a good pressure and third down stop. Did allow for a bevy of one one ones for his teammates and held his ground against doubles, but a disappointing performance overall. Always seemed to be chasing instead of making plays. Awareness on screens was an issue. Good job picking on stunts getting guys home.
Paea was active getting push and getting off blocks to make plays. With the OL focused on Collins he took advantage. On the second sack that DLaw got credit for he was the one who took Eli down. He bull rushed and threw Jerry into Eli knocking him down before DLaw got the touch. Sat down on doubles. Got push and was generally disruptive. Got caught from behind and ridden a couple times but overall a great start.
Mayowa started and got in a few nice rushes on inside and outside moves. Would get caught up hand fighting and play paddy cake more than I like. Got surprised by a double and ridden once. OVerall good job setting the weakside edge and had a couple pressures. Would like to see him disengaged and use his athleticism in pursuit more often.
Crawford has average quickness but above average strength and hands. Does not allow OL to sustain with active hands. Would have had a sack on Eli with an inside move from SDE had Tapper not beaten him to the QB. Strong at the poa and setting the edge. Worked inside on nickel downs replacing Paea and generated a pressure. Ankle still bothering him as evidenced by uneven gait when running. Expect him to improve as that heals.
Taco reverted to the neophyte uncertain and hesitant Taco we saw early in the PS. He was slow off the line. He would get caught up in a block and stall looking uncertain on how to counter. He was oblivious to backs running to the flat for the outlet right next to him. He did get more confident as the game worse on. He got a pressure on a classic dip and rip move on Flowers that looked nice. Also held his ground and was not pushed around. Still looks very green overall though.
Tapper came in for around a dozen snaps in the second half and was outstanding garnering a pressure on a dip and a sack on a swim inside. First step gave Flower issues and Tapper was able to get to the outside shoulder despite him cheating outside. Need to see him ran at to really get a nice evaluation but I expect him to get more work moving forward.
Price is another that came in with minimal snaps and showed up. Nice job getting push on the bull rush and managed to squirt through the line to right in front of Eli. Needs to do a better job keeping his feet but strength and quickness are apparent.
Lee is the best coverage LB I have ever seen in a Cowboys uniform. His anticipation and instincts are as good as anyone in the league. Still can run and get depth in his drops and was mucking up the middle of the field for Eli Manning. He is a bullet running downhill looking to blow up a play.
Jaylon is still wearing the brace. You can see its girth under the tape over his left ankle. He looks fast and quick. Covers a lot of ground on lateral shuffles, backpedaling into his drops, and running in pursuit. Cannot wait to see how well he moves when the brace finally comes off. He spent a lot of time beating up on the speedy slot receiver Shepard. He started off forcing a fumble with a stabbing elbow dive that knocked the ball out. Hit him hard 4 other times for tackles. He also does much better taking on OL than he did at NDU. Does give some ground but not the ride I have seen Hitchens take. Would like to see him be more aggressive and consistent in stack and shed. Would like to see him attack more in the hole as opposed to hesitating and letting the RB put a move on him. Definitely looks the part of a NFL LB.
Wilson is great taking on blocks inline and running downhill or to the sideline. His backpedal and shuffle leave a lot to be desired. Poor drops allowed a couple completions. Was good at stack and she in pursuit nonetheless. Very good 2 down player. Shows up covering punts as well.
Durant played a cup of coffee but does look like he still moves well. Sugared the A gap and dropped back on the snap to get nice depth on his drop on one of his two snaps. Nice backup to have on the roster.
WIlber was running around on teams but did not show much.
Jones played back and showed nice range getting to the boundary on deep throws. Nice job coming downhill to help gangtackle. The front 7 and corners were playing well so was not called on much given how Eli was getting the ball out quickly. He stinks blocking on PR. He had a hold, should have had a block in the back, and was generally ineffective trying to block Harris who was gunning.
Heath played back in cover 2, came up to handle the flat/curl in cover 3 and played the dime LB. Was asked to cover Engram quite a bit and covered him well. Good job coming up to tackle on runs and in pursuit with 4 solo stops. His range stood out in the zones in the middle of the field. Looks to be a significant upgrade over what Church gave us.
Frazier came in on the dime and played back with Jones in cover 2 looks. Having only average range he needs to anticipate better. Failed to get to the boundary on a flag route run into his deep zone allowing the longest completion Eli had. Show up on teams covering kicks and has a role. Maybe give Woods a shot at dime S with his better range if this does not improve moving forward.
Scandrick looked good for dozen of so plays he got before breaking his hand. Was moving around well. There was a communication issue early and Lee and him allowed Shepard loose down the sideline. Recovered admirably to get a nice hit on Shepard ending the reception. Broke his hand on a run the next play.
Carroll looks proficient in zone. I understand people's reservations having him in man but he looks very comfortable in zone positioning himself well to take advantage of his help. Aggressive taking on blocks and getting in on tackles. Pleasant start from the FA acquisition.
Brown picked up where he left off in coverage last season. He absolutely blanketed Marshall staying on top of him outside and showed range and quickness inside. He was the one that blitzed the handful of times we did. Needs to do a better job not tipping it off. Even when he disguised Eli had the ball out quickly on the hot read. Was not as pronounced in his tackling and pursuit as past season.
Awuzie looked comfortable and prepared despite his inexperience being forced into the nickel role due to injury. Sniffed out and blew up a screen and participated in the shutdown of Brandon Marshall. Looks the part of a second round pick able to come in and help right away.
Well that is all for the first game of the season. If I missed a player remind me and I will review them. Questions and comments are as always welcome.
