The Dallas Cowboys used third-year receiver KEVIN OGLETREE’S athleticism (8 catches for 114 yards and 1 score) and TONY ROMO’S right arm (22 of 29 for 307 yards and 3 touchdown passes) to beat the New York Giants 24-17 at Met Life Stadium in what was the kickoff game of the 2012 NFL season.
The Giants started their first drive of the game at their own 16 yard line after the opening kickoff. But the drive died after a laser 3rd down pass from ELI MANNING to VICTOR CRUZ fell incomplete with close coverage from Cowboys’ cornerback ORLANDO SCANDRICK.
After the punt, Dallas took over on their 24 yard line. The biggest play of the drive ended up being a defensive one, which took place in the form of a 5 yard sack by defensive tackle ROCKY BERNARD, who fought off a feeble block by a Dallas running back and took quarterback Romo to the ground to force a 3rd and 15. An incomplete pass on 3rd down and Bernard’s sack forced a punt.
The Giants then took over at their own 13 yard line. Rookie running back DAVID WILSON saw his first carry of his career go for four yards to the Giant 17. On the next play Cruz slipped past cornerback BRANDON CARR to complete 27 yard reception down the left sideline to set New York up at their own 44 yard line. New Giants tight end MARTELLEUS BENNETT quickly earned his keep with 10 yard catch to the Dallas 42 yard line. But the drive died due to Dallas linebacker SEAN LEE forcing a fumble on Wilson.
On the ensuing drive, Ogletree caught a 13 yard pass to the Giant 47. A false start penalty on tight end JASON WITTEN pushed Dallas back to their own 48 yard line (that was the second false start penalty on the drive after left tackle TYRON SMITH did the same thing earlier in the drive). One of the biggest plays of the game defensively for New York was authored by safety ANTREL ROLLE, as he went low at fullback LAWRENCE VICKERS’ hips and hit the fullback who then went sideways and down short of the first down on 4th and 1.
Rolle’s big play ended up getting wasted as New York’s next drive was killed due to a sack by outside linebacker DEMARCUS WARE and safety GERALD SENSABAUGH for a 14 yard loss to force a 3rd and 14, leading to a punt.
Dallas saw their third drive of the game ended by a MICHAEL BOLEY interception, in which he returned the theft to the Dallas four yard line. Three plays in fine scoring territory and New York didn’t even sniff the end zone, as kicker LAWRENCE TYNES came in on 4th down and booted a 22 yard field goal to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.
Backup cornerback MICHAEL COE made a big time tackle on Ogletree on third down and six yards away from the first down stick, which forced a punt. But New York again went three and out after a Manning 3rd down incompletion to Bennett near the right sidelines.
But Dallas took advantage of New York’s gratuity by mounting a scoring drive of their own, to the tune of a 10 yard Romo to Ogletree connection and to take the lead at 7-3 after DAN BAILEY’s extra point. That drive was keyed by a 38-yard DEZ BRYANT reception on 3rd down and 1 againsts cornerback COREY WEBSTER.
On New York’s fifth drive of the half, Wilson atoned for his earlier fumble with a swift and helpful 32 yard kickoff return (he caught the ball 2 yards deep in the end zone) to the Giants 30 yard line. But his efforts went for naught as Ware sacked Manning for the 101st sack of his career and Bradshaw ran out the clock on a 3rd down run to force halftime.
On the Cowboys beginning drive of the second half, they scored on a 40 yard Romo to Ogletree touchdown catch near the right sideline in which Webster was victimized again in coverage for a 14-3 advantage.
New York went to work on their next drive. Alternate receiver DOMENIK HIXON caught a 39 yard catch in double coverage versus Carr and safety MANA SILVA down to the Dallas 10 yard line. On the next play running back AHMAD BRADSHAW sped to his left and then he stiff-armed rookie cornerback MORRIS CLAIBORNE and ran into end zone to close the gap to 14-10 after kicker Tynes’ extra point.
On the next drive, New York held Dallas to just a 34 yard field goal by Bailey near the end of the third quarter. But New York went in reverse on their next drive as a JASON HATCHER sack on Manning forced a punt to help close out the third quarter.
A 15 yard DEMARCO MURRAY run (he would have scored if he hadn’t ran into the back of a blocking Bryant near the Giant 15 yard line) keyed a Dallas scoring drive. As that run led to a 34 yard MILES AUSTIN touchdown reception in double coverage versus Rolle and cornerback JUSTIN TRYON for a 24-10 lead with around six minutes left in the game. The scoring play came on the heels of a penalty (1st down and 30) for holding on tackle DOUG FREE who couldn’t handle star defensive end JASON PIERRE-PAUL’S pass rushing.
With 4:03 left in the game and on 4th down and 2, Cruz caught a 1st down pass to the Dallas 27 with an offsides penalty tacked on. Later in the drive on 4th and 1, Bradshaw carried to the Cowboys 9. That runled to a Bennett 9 yard touchdown catch who used good footwork and body control to pull the Giants to within 24-17.
But Ogletree ended any plans the Giants had of coming back with a 3rd down and 12 catch to the Giant 39. Dallas proceeded to run down the clock and run their record to 1-0 versus an NFC East league rival who has had their number in recent memory.
