Brian Schottenheimer did not soften the diagnosis after Dallas' 28-20 loss at MetLife Stadium. The Giants, he said on DallasCowboys.com, were the more physical team.
That verdict covered both lines of scrimmage. New York ran for 165 yards on 37 carries at 4.5 yards per attempt, the Cowboys' game recap reported, while Dallas managed 69 rushing yards on 18 carries - 3.8 per try.
Cam Skattebo, back more than 10 months after a broken fibula and dislocated ankle, went untouched for a 3-yard touchdown on the Giants' first scoring drive, the Associated Press wrote via CBS Sports. Jaxson Dart added 54 rushing yards that repeatedly turned collapsed pockets into first downs.
What "pushed around" looked like
"I thought they pushed us around a little bit up front," Schottenheimer said of New York's defensive line. "Javonte was running into freaking, a wall in the beginning of the game. We made some good adjustments at half-time, but this is a team game."
Williams finished with a rushing touchdown and a receiving score but only 41 rushing yards as the featured back, per the team recap. Prescott worked under regular pressure and completed 22 of 34 passes for 175 yards.
The offensive line's early penetration problems forced Dallas into obvious passing situations; the Giants' front answered by keeping Dart clean enough to post a 134.2 passer rating on 23-of-29 throwing, the AP reported.
On the other side, Schottenheimer said Dallas did not generate enough pressure. "He looked pretty comfortable back there," the coach said of Dart. Failed rushes became designed quarterback keepers and scramble drills that chewed clock and set up the short throws to Isaiah Likely and Devin Singletary that finished New York's long drives.
Physical edges and self-inflicted damage
Reuters noted the Giants controlled possession for 36:40. Physical wins on early downs are how that number grows: second-and-5 becomes third-and-2; third-and-2 becomes another first down. DallasCowboys.com described New York wearing the Cowboys down as the game progressed, culminating in the 13-play, 65-yard march that Singletary capped from nine yards out with 7:26 left.
