Three takeaways from the Giants' Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart scrambles out of the pocket in the second half of an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Jeffrey McWhorter
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Giants showed more fight Sunday against the Cowboys, but the result was no different from last week and the loss was more painful than the first.
Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ heartbreaking 40-37 loss in Dallas.
1. Too many penalties
Gunner Olszewski’s opening 67-yard kickoff return was called back because of holding. It foreshadowed a day in which penalties hurt the Giants as much as anything.
The Giants’ 160 penalty yards were their most in a game since a franchise-record 177 on Oct. 9, 1949. The total of 14 penalties was their most in a game since they got 16 against the Seahawks in 2005.
By the time Graham Gano kicked a 38-yard field goal on the team’s opening drive, the Giants had six penalties, as many as they had in their season opener.
James Hudson’s four penalties on the first drive, which got him benched, included two unnecessary-roughness flags. It was as undisciplined as the Giants have looked under coach Brian Daboll and it cost them as much as Russell Wilson’s overtime interception.
“Far too many. I wanted the guys to play physical this game, be aggressive,” Daboll said. “Roughing the passer, [defensive pass interference]. There were a lot of penalties called this game. Almost 260 yards worth between two teams. We certainly don’t want to have that many penalties.”
2. Dart makes quick debut
Daboll has hinted at throwing Jaxson Dart into uncomfortable situations to start his career. That happened Sunday as he made his debut, subbing in three times for Wilson on a play before checking out.
Dart handed the ball off twice. He later stumbled on a fourth-quarter keeper that could’ve been disastrous with the Giants attempting to take the lead.
“[The coaches] told me just like red zone-wise, just to be prepared to get in on short-yardage stuff,” Dart said. “That was really just the conversation and him explaining what he saw from the coaching lens of what we’re going to run.”
Wilson’s play likely quieted the noise about his status as a starter for another week. But Dart’s first taste of NFL action won’t be his last, and Daboll inched closer to making sure he’s ready if or when he goes in and doesn’t immediately come out.
3. Defense backslides after stout season opener
Dru Phillips’ interception seemed like a good omen for the Giants’ defense to start the second half. It wasn’t, though, and a week after the offense let the Giants down, the defense did so Sunday, giving up 40 points.
The Giants allowed the Cowboys to score on five consecutive possessions to end the second half. Despite three sacks, including one each by Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, they gave up 478 yards.
The Giants also allowed 4.8 yards per carry, fewer than last week’s 6.9 but still too high for a unit that must improve. Dexter Lawrence again didn’t have a sack and the secondary was ripe for Dak Prescott to pick it apart.
The good news for the Giants is that on Sunday night, they will host a Kansas City team that has struggled offensively during its own 0-2 start. The bad news: Kansas City’s quarterback still is Patrick Mahomes, and the Giants can’t let him embarrass them at MetLife Stadium in prime time.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
