Giants-cowboys Instant Grades Following New York’s Week 1 Victory

The New York Giants pulled off the 28-20 upset of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. Dallas has had the Giants’ number for years, but the John Harbaugh era starts off fantastically for New York, who out-gained 394 yards to 244 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday Night Football. The Giants played heavy – old-school – football, and Jaxson Dart was efficient passing the football.

The Giants were 9 of 11 on third-down conversions and averaged 4.5 yards per carry; they ran the football well, and Jaxson Dart rose to the occasion multiple times to ensure the Giants earned the win. Here are the grades from the Giants’ Week 1 victory!

Quarterback

Jaxson Dart was DIALED in throughout the Week 1 matchup against Dallas. His two-minute drill was near flawless, as he led the Giants 55 yards downfield on six plays and found Malik Nabers for 13 yards on a third-and-nine. He then completed a pair of consecutive passes before finding Isaiah Likely for 15 yards and a touchdown, which gave the Giants a touchdown lead heading into halftime. 

Dart finished 23/29 for 230 yards with three passing touchdowns and 11 carries for 54 yards on the ground. Not only was he efficient, but he found solutions and worked through his progressions well. It was a very impressive performance by the second-year play caller.

Grade: A+   

Running Back

Cam Skattebo was the lead back for the Giants, but Matt Nagy and Greg Roman did opt to go with a committee. We saw Devin Singletary early and Tyrone Tracy Jr., who fumbled the football on his second touch. Nevertheless, it was Skattebo who scored the Giants’ first touchdown of the season. Skattebo finished with 18 carries for 81 yards with one touchdown.

Devin Singletary became a big part of the fourth-quarter offense with Skattebo taking a breather. Singletary touched the football on four consecutive plays, including his nine yard touchdown reception midway through the fourth quarter. Singletary finished with six carries for 16 yards with four catches for 22 yards. 

Grade: B

Wide Receiver

It was excellent to see Malik Nabers healthy and dressed for the Giants. A couple plays were designed for him early. Nabers caught six passes for 69 yards on nine targets. Darnell Mooney had two catches for 27 yards and Malachi Fields had a pair of grabs for 25 yards. Those were the only three wide receivers to catch the ball, but the Giants’ receivers were blocking their backside off all game, which was a major plus for the overall offense.

Grade: B

Tight End

Isaiah Likely is a difference-making tight end. He converted two third downs in the first half for the Giants. He took advantage of the blown coverage in the red zone for his first Giants’ touchdown. Likely was clutch for the Giants, finishing with weight catches for 78 yards with two touchdowns. He flashed strong hands and was reliable for the Giants, which helped earn John Harbaugh his first victory as the Giants’ head coach. Theo Johnson also finished with one catch for nine yards, and Chris Manhertz did Chris Manhertz type things – throwing impactful blocks for the Giants’ offense

Grade: A+ 

Offensive Line

The entire off-season was full of conversation of the physical nature that John Harbaugh is attempting to instill in the Giants, and that was demonstrated – along with impressive play-calling/design – by the Giants’ offensive line early against Dallas. New York took their opening possession and drove 80+ yards for a score, while running the football on eight of ten plays, including a 22-yard Jaxson Dart read-run to the outside. 

Francis Mauigoa proved to be an excellent addition to the Giants’ offensive line – a line that dominated up front and rushed for 165 yards (4.5 YPC). The identity of John Harbaugh was felt, and the offensive line held up their end of the deal to ensure that the Giants could operate as they desired against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.

Grade: A

Defensive Line

We did not see DJ Reader or Shelby Harris in the preseason, but the Giants’ run defense was DIALED in early. Dallas averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, including Dak Prescott’s scrambles, through their first three offensive drives; Javonte Williams had just eight carries for 20 yards through those first three drives. The Giants held Williams in check through the end of the first-half, and he finished with just 12 carries for 41 yards on the ground. Overall, the defensive line did enough against the run, although they weren’t overly impactful as pass rushers.

Grade: B-

EDGE

The Giants were getting early pressure on Dak Prescott, but the veteran evaded the pocket and picked up valuable yardage with his legs. Abdul Carter’s movement ability just JUMPS out at you when you watch him. Still, New York couldn’t get home against Dak Prescott, and the Cowboys’ offensive line was able to keep New York away for much of the game. I will state, though, that Kayvon Thibodeaux’s pressure against Prescott resulted in the Holland interceptions, which was vital to the victory. 

Grade: C+

Linebacker

Tremaine Edmunds and Arvell Reese are difference makers at linebacker. Edmunds’ play on the goal line against Dallas late in the third quarter showcased his ability to cover outside the numbers. Reese didn’t POP in the game, but he had several plays where he executed his assignment well. I am excited to dive into his tape to give a more comprehensive view of his performance. 

Reese was fooled on the Javonte Williams receiving touchdown, which resulted in Brandon Aubrey missing the extra point. Watching the duo fly around was a welcome sight.

Grade: B

Cornerback

The Giants’ cornerbacks were tested – that was not a surprise – but on Dallas’ first scoring drive, Dru Phillips and Greg Newsome II both committed third-down penalties that resulted in 57 yards for Dallas. The Giants cornerbacks MUST be more disciplined and locate the football when it is airborne. Also, Tae Banks had two missed tackles on the edge in the first half; he must become more reliable as a tackler. Banks lost his one-on-one in the end zone with CeeDee Lamb for Dallas’ first touchdown. 

Overall, though, the Giants’ cornerbacks held Lamb and George Pickens in check throughout the game. Both players were sloppy and dropped passes. New York was undisciplined in coverage, which led to several defensive pass interference calls; but, to be fair, some were wildly ticky-tacky. Dru Phillips fell victim to three such calls. 

Both Banks and Newsome were injured in the fourth quarter, forcing Paulson Adebo and Colton Hood into the game. Both made plays against Pickens and Lamb, but the late personal foul penalty by Holland against Flournoy (going against Hood) gave the Cowboys extra life with the passing touchdown to Javonte Williams.  

Statistically, the Giants held up very well against arguably the best wide receiver duo in football, but DPI penalties don’t show up in player stats. It could have been worse, but it wasn’t excellent either for the Giants’ DBs.

Grade: C

Safety

Jevon Holland made his presence known with less than a minute left in the first half. Kayvon Thibodeaux flushed Prescott out of the pocket, and the veteran quarterback heaved the ball in the air, where Holland closed distance to come away with the pick from a middle-of-the-field closed position. Holland showed great recognition and awareness. I will have more takeaways once I review the film.

Grade: B+

Special Teams

The Giants had one punt that went 46 yards, and Dominic Zvada made all of his extra points. The coverage teams were fine, and specials were not an issue against the Dallas Cowboys.

Grade: B