The Dallas Cowboys defense looked lost during their Week 1 loss to the New York Giants. They could not stop the run or contain Jaxson Dart. Still, the unit managed to punch the ball out of the Giants’ hands four different times. This ability to force fumbles is a bright spot buried in a bad night.
The numbers from the game show how much work remains for the Dallas unit. According to A to Z Sports, the team suffered from seven missed tackles during the contest. It was a brutal performance on a Sunday night at MetLife Stadium. But forcing four fumbles from different players suggests the talent to create turnovers is there.
Chaos from the Defensive Unit
The sheer variety of players involved in the big plays is telling. Caleb Downs recorded a strip sack on a blitz, according to Blogging The Boys. Quinnen Williams also got to the ball from behind during a play involving Jalen Thompson. Cobie Durant and Donovan Ezeiruaku both forced fumbles as well. These plays show the aggression Dallas needs to win games.
The big problem is that the team cannot recover every loose ball. A to Z Sports noted that the one fumble Dallas recovered was immediately followed by a Dak Prescott interception. This kind of bad luck can ruin a season. If the Cowboys had kept those extra possessions, the outcome might have changed.
Third Down Struggles and Rookie Impact
The Giants were nearly perfect when it mattered most. Yahoo Sports reported that New York went 9 of 11 on third downs, with one being a kneel-down. Dallas actually put the Giants in several long situations, including three instances of third and nine. The defense simply could not get off the field.
Some young players showed flashes of what they can do. Caleb Downs had a standout moment when he hit Dart to force a fumble. Malachi Lawrence also generated two pressures on 11 pass-rushing snaps, per Blogging The Boys. These small wins matter for a young roster trying to find its footing.
Injury Concerns for Dallas
The loss was even harder because of injuries to key starters. Yahoo Sports reported that safety Malik Hooker is dealing with a forearm fracture. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is also out with a hamstring injury. Both players might miss a week or two of action.
The Giants left the game much healthier than Dallas. Head coach John Harbaugh said his team’s health status was “Fine,” according to Giants Wire. While the Cowboys deal with broken bones and pulls, the Giants move forward with a full roster.
