14 September 2023 , 15:59
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The Dallas Cowboys defence delivered a statement performance against old rivals the New York Giants in Sunday Night Football, and their players were clearly in the mood to wreak havoc from the kickoff.
The Giants wilted in the bright lights of primetime in Week 1 as they were overwhelmed by a dominant Cowboys defence at MetLife Stadium. And footage released of the sidelines early in the game has revealed a bold prediction from star pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence quickly came true.
The Giants suffered one of the most embarrassing nights in franchise history as they were routed 40-0 on home turf, with the Cowboys forcing three turnovers and racking up seven sacks of quarterback Daniel Jones. Lawrence, Micah Parsons and Chauncey Golston all registered a sack, while Dorance Armstrong and Osa Odighizuwa collected two apiece as Dallas sent a message to the rest of the NFL that they have the makings of genuine Super Bowl contenders.
The game was over as a contest in a flash, with the Cowboys going in 26-0 ahead at half time thanks to the performance of their defence and special teams, which repeatedly put Dak Prescott and the offense in positions to score. There was no coming back for the Giants, who suffered the ignominy of failing to trouble the scoreboard.
Speaking to his teammates on the bench before it all began, Lawrence urged them to have the game wrapped up inside two quarters. "Let's make these motherf****** quit before half time, let's make them quit before half time," the three-time Pro Bowler said.
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Third-year defensive tackle Odighizuwa has just six career sacks to his name through two seasons, but the former third-round pick had his best night as a Cowboy so far, adding two to his tally as the Dallas pass rush repeatedly penetrated a feeble Giants O-line to get to a helpless Jones.
Odighizuwa, 25, channelled his inner Oprah Winfrey during a chat with his defensive allies on the sidelines with the mauling in progress. "You get a sack, you all get a sack," he laughed, referencing one of the famous lines from Winfrey's talk show. "Now for those of you in the audience today, if you will look under your seat, you'll find there... a sack."
The Cowboys delivered one of the most impressive performances from Week 1 and they have the chance to put another marker down when they host the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. The Jets, of course, will be without Aaron Rodgers following his season-ending Achilles injury, but like the Cowboys, they have a menacing pass rush.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers when Rodgers won his only Super Bowl ring in 2011. The 59-year-old shared his sympathies ahead of Sunday's clash with the Jets, who will have Zach Wilson at Q
"(Rodgers) and I have been through a lot together," McCarthy said. "So, I have tremendous love for him. This is tough. I know he was very excited about this chapter of his life. I was looking forward to seeing him this weekend. You see how precious these opportunities are. Every game is such a special opportunity to compete in this league. I think we're all feeling for him personally right now."