Five non-scoring plays that shaped the Cowboys game against the Giants

All hail Kellen Moore! After months of anticipation and hype, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s style of offense was finally unveiled, and things looked good as the Cowboys got a 35-17 victory over the hapless New York Giants. Two different receivers had over 100 yards and Dak Prescott threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns. It was a banner day all around, but here are five non-scoring plays that made an impact, including a couple on defense.

Randall Cobb ends Antonio Hamilton’s career for first down conversion

With the game tied at seven apiece, the Cowboys offense was moving into Giants territory when a questionable tripping penalty called on Zack Martin pushed them back. Facing a third and ten at New York’s 18-yard line, Dak took a snap out of the shotgun and flipped a quick pass to Randall Cobb. Catching the ball short of the first down marker, Cobb was quickly met by cornerback Antonio Hamilton and then this happened:

After stealing the defender’s soul, Cobb had room to get the first down and more, taking it down to the four-yard line. On the next play, Dak found Old Man Witten for the touchdown to go up 14-7. Cobb’s second effort was the difference between a touchdown advantage and settling for a field goal.

Dak keeps it on third down, runs for the first

After getting the ball back, the Cowboys were moving the ball again and trying to go up by two touchdowns late in the second quarter. After an offsides penalty from the Giants defense, Dak and the offense faced a third and four at New York’s 33-yard line.

After taking the snap, Prescott faked the handoff to Ezekiel Elliott before pulling it out and taking off to the left side of the field. The well-timed option keeper picked up eight yards and a first down, keeping the drive alive before the two-minute warning sounded. Three plays later, Dak hit Amari Cooper on a beautiful touchdown.

Jeff Heath knocks down end of half Hail Mary attempt

In an attempt to get some points before halftime, the Giants offense managed to move the ball up to the Dallas 44-yard line. With nine seconds left and no real shot at a field goal, they ran a Hail Mary play, trying to replicate Aaron Rodgers-level magic.

After Eli Manning threw a ball that (surprisingly) made it all the way to the endzone, a crowd of Giants and Cowboys were there waiting to make a play. Jeff Heath, who had the best position, jumped up and swatted it straight down to end any shot of a touchdown. Rather than trying to go for the interception and potentially popping it back up in the air, Heath chose to simply bat it down and go to the locker room with a 21-7 lead.

Christian Covington stuffs the run to bring up fourth down

Halfway through the third quarter and down by three scores, the Giants offense found its way to the Dallas ten-yard line. Lining up for a much-needed conversion on third and two, Manning handed the ball off to fullback Elijhaa Penny.

However, Penny did not get very far, as one of the Cowboys’ free agent additions, defensive tackle Christian Covington, broke through the line to stop Penny after picking up just a yard. As a result, it was fourth and one, which prompted the Giants to go for it and Manning fumbled the ball away.

Dak hits Michael Gallup for 62 yards on third down

Shortly after Manning’s fumble was recovered by DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys faced the danger of going three and out. Looking at third and eight on their own 13-yard line, Dak stepped up into the pocket and hit Michael Gallup on a post route.

Gallup turned up the field and went for more, capping off a 62-yard reception in total to put a cherry on top of his big day. Not only did the play move the chains, but it flipped field position and sure enough, four plays later Ezekiel Elliott was in the endzone for six.