New York Giants show off new identity in dominant win over Cowboys, here are 3 takeaways including a rookie shining bright
The New York Giants are back. Here’s what we learned from their Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night.
The New York Giants looked like a completely different franchise Thursday night, and the results speak for themselves.
New York dominated the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, and the most impressive part of the performance was the tangible improvement along the offensive line. Let’s dive into the takeaways.
Giants rookie shines
Giants’ rookie offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa set the tone for the entire unit, helping establish a ground game that consistently blew Dallas off the ball.
The whole group played well, but Mauigoa’s impact stood out. Per NextGenStats, he didn’t allow a single pressure or a single quarterback hit on passing downs. While no advanced metrics capture his impact on rushing plays, the tape told the story. On some of the biggest plays of the game, there was a gigantic cushion before running back Cam Skattebo was even touched. That’s the kind of dominance in the trenches that the Giants simply did not have last season.
Jaxson Dart silenced the doubters
The play calling on offense was perfect for setting up quarterback Jaxson Dart to succeed in his first regular-season start. Plenty of uncertainty surrounded how he would perform. Many people covering the Giants noted that things didn’t look great during the preseason, making his 23-of-29 performance all the more remarkable. And based on win probability and EPA/play, Dart had the best performance of any quarterback.
The most important aspect of Dart’s game was his decisiveness. He got the ball out quickly and made sharp reads, but the play design also deserves credit. It felt deliberate to get Dart into space and let him use his legs, rather than asking him to win exclusively from the pocket. That approach played to his strengths.
Isaiah Likely already rewriting Giants history
And lastly, tight end Isaiah Likely exploded in his debut, hauling in 8 catches on 8 targets for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. According to StatMuse, he is the first Giants tight end with 75+ receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns since 2009. That’s a staggering stat considering the amount of elite tight ends the Giants have had in franchise history.
One thing is for sure: this team has a new identity. The offensive line is physical, the play calling is tailored to Dart’s skill set, and the weapons around him are producing. If this performance is any indication, the Giants have plenty to build on heading into Week 2.
