EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Dallas Cowboys have become accustomed to trailing in the first quarter through four games, thanks to a defense that has been generous.
Unlike the past two losses, against the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys’ offense was able to answer after the New York Giants opened with a field goal drive. It wasn’t always pretty thanks to some penalties, but the drive ended with a 15-yard screen pass from Dak Prescott to running back Rico Dowdle to give Dallas a 7-3 lead.
Dowdle takes the screen pass in for SIX.#DALvsNYG on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/suEHUgeeUv— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2024
The Giants might have thought the Cowboys should have had a third penalty on the drive with tight end Jake Ferguson getting away with what could have been called a hold while blocking for Dowdle.
Prescott completed all nine passes on the drive to six different players: CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Ferguson, Brandin Cooks, Hunter Luepke and, ultimately, Dowdle.
As a result, the Cowboys have their first first-quarter lead since the opener. After allowing an opening-drive field goal against the Browns, the Cowboys answered with a six-play, 70-yard drive that lasted 6:55.
Against the Giants, they went 75 yards on 12 plays and ate up 6:57.
