Cowboys Win Second in a Row, Hand Rival Giants First Loss

The Dallas Cowboys had a chance to deal a rival its first loss of the 2022 season, in primetime, at that rival's stadium. And even missing several key players due to injury, they weren't passing up that chance. After a slow start to Monday Night Football, the Cowboys found some offense later in the second half, scoring back-to-back touchdowns while stifling the New York Giants' offense to win, 23-16. The win moves both teams to 2-1 this season, tied for second in the NFC East.

In Like a Lamb, Out Like a Lion

CeeDee Lamb didn't get off to a great start in primetime. He had multiple drops, including on a deep pass down into the red zone with no defenders nearby, as the Cowboys' offense struggled to score its first touchdown of a close game.

He didn't wait until Week 4 to make up for those mistakes, though. Lamb made six receptions in the second half, none bigger than a crazy one-hander in the end zone for Dallas' second touchdown of the game. It was his fourth catch of that 11-play drive, and finished off an eight-catch, 87-yard night that led all players in both categories, and set new season-bests for the third-year receiver.

Oh my lord.
Cee Dee Lamb ate his spinach at half and turned into Popeye the Sailor

— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) September 27, 2022

It also continued a growing rapport with interim quarterback Cooper Rush. In Dallas' prior game, Rush went to Lamb 11 times, completing seven passes for 75 yards. And speaking of Rush...

Don't Look Now... But Coop's 2-0

All the people who thought the sky would fall after Dak Prescott's injury may be able to take a few hesitant breaths. As the Cowboys' star quarterback recovers from thumb surgery, backup Cooper Rush has steered the ship with aplomb in Dallas, leading the Cowboys to a win over reigning AFC champ Cincinnati in Week 2 and now the Giants on Monday night.

Cooper Rush is playing GOOD IMO. He doesn’t have much help tonight. With Demarcus Lawrence out I sure hope my boys get it going. DJ keep using your feet and feeding young Shep to get a rhythm.

— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) September 27, 2022

The stats haven't been eye-popping — just 231 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals, 210 and a touchdown against Dallas — but Rush has yet to throw an interception in 2022, and has developed a connection with a hampered Cowboys' pass-catching group that was already missing starter Michael Gallup, and lost tight end Dalton Schultz in Week 2.

Ground Games Were Going

It was a great night to be a running back, whether you were on the winning side or the losing one. Dallas split the work between its tandem of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, and both turned in results. Pollard went for 105 yards across 13 carries, averaging over eight yards a touch, while Zeke got the team's touchdown during a 73-yard day on 15 carries.

Across the field, the Giants' Saquon Barkley continued an excellent start to his 2022 season, rushing for 81 yards on 14 carries, scoring on a 36-yard touchdown run to temporarily give the Giants a lead. Barkley is second in the NFL in rushing with 317 yards through three games, and is one of just three players averaging over 100 yards per game so far this season.

After the last few years it’s actually great to see Saquon out there healthy

— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 27, 2022

Running backs weren't even the only ones getting in on the rushing yardage Monday.

Danny Dimes Running (For His Life)

New York Giants' quarterback Daniel Jones continued to show he is among the league's better running QBs, with nine carries for 79 yards on Monday night. But not all his running was productive — often, the Giant was left running for his life as the Dallas defense terrorized the Giants' offensive line.

Wow I feel bad for Daniel Jones, not sure he’s been able to set his feet once tonight in the pocket!

— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) September 27, 2022

The Cowboys sacked Jones five times and came close on multiple other occasions. DeMarcus Lawrence had three of the five, and Dallas recorded 12 hits on Jones throughout the game.