And the 2012 season begins with an upset

Tony Romo (on left)    Eli Manning (on right)

   The Giants Super Bowl MVP's; Phil Simms, Otis anderson, and Michael Strahan kick off the season. They walk out holding their Vince Lombardi trophies to introduce the 2012 giants. Each of them showing their glow and pride of being a Giants legend. Then followed queen Latifa to belt out our nations anthem. She was a surprising pick, though the ceremony all in all was nice.
Now let's get to the good stuff, the game.
    Well, this was a nail biter. Initially you could see the giants and cowboys had to shake off some of that dust after a long break in the off-season. Resulting in a boring first drives in the 2012 season. Then, on their second drive of the night the Victor Cruz makes his first catch of the night.Which, however, amounted to nothing due to a fumble by David Wilson with was recovered by Dallas.
       The Cowboys then begin to find their stride as well making some good passes to Kevin Oagletree. Early on in the game you could see that Oagletree tree is going to be a big weapon for Dallas.Making several game changing catches throughout the game. In the first quarter both defenses were on their mark. Putting lots of pressure on the either quarterback. Though it seemed like Romo knew how to handle the pressure a little more than Manning. With the possession over to Dallas Romo makes a successful pass to make it 4th and 1 and with the time running out in the first quarter. Jason Garett (the cowboys' head coach) decides to put the ball in the hands of Murray to see if he can make the first down. The Giants then respond with good defense flattening the run for a loss of yards making it a turnover on downs. Manning then regains the ball and starts to move the chains. Making several successful passes to Morris Claiborne and Victor Cruz. Though they couldn't shake that Dallas defense which resulted in 0-0 score at the end of the first quarter.
        At the start of the second quarter Dallas shows their defensive dominance with a sack to Manning. This was Demarcus Ware's 100th sack of his NFL career. Making him the second youngest to reach triple digits. After the sack, Dallas applies more pressure on Manning resulting in a incomplete pass. Which forced the Giants to kick. Dallas then takes the ball at the 20. At this point both teams have proven that they have a solid defense. Romo then makes a good short pass to Bryant #88 who is taken down before the first. However he continues to run toward the goal line, making a silly mistake to cost the Cowboys precious seconds off their play clock. Therefore forcing Romo to do a quick run play which was stuffed by the Giants' strong defense. The Giants did not offer any break on the following play as well. Romo ended up throwing a pick to Michael Boley which he took to just before the goal. Giving manning his first drive in the Redzone.

(Kevin Oagletree stretches out to get a touch down over the giants)

     This should have been enough for Manning to put 7 up for the giants. Though the Cowboys defense just wouldn't allow it. Shutting them down and forcing them to put up a field goal instead. Going towards the half you could see that this game was going be which defense screws up first. However both not allowing movement of the chains. The Cowboys get the ball back, though the giants seemed to secure the backfield, while applying lots of pressure on Romo resulting in a turnover kick. The Giants receive the ball on the 16th yard-line. Minutes before the half you could still see the defensive dominance that the Cowboys had over the Giants. In games like these were both defensive teams are strong it makes for a boring low scoring game. The ball gets turned over repeatedly, though keeps you always at the edge of your seat. You sit there wondering when. When will the defense slip? It runs through your mind. Until finally they let one go. Which happened for the Cowboys just before the 2 minute warning. Romo makes 2 short passes to Bryant then to J.witten for a 1st down. He then hands it to Murray who guns it in for a gain of 9. Romo lost a little steam with an incomplete to Oagletree. However after the 2 minute warning he throws a beautiful 30 yard pass to D. Bryant. Which sets up Dallas in the Redzone. Here is where Oagletree begins to shine with a completion to give the Cowboys the lead with very little time left in the half.
     Manning receives the ball on the 31st yard line. Here he makes a nice pass to Victor Cruz however he just can't get a hold on it. Victor Cruz, a shining star in last years Super Bowl, did nothing for the Giants in this first game. Dropping several crucial passes that should have, and could have, been caught. After the disappointing dropped pass Manning goes down by the Cowboys defense. This first game did not reflect the hard

Manning (on right) is scanning the defense

Hitting quarterback manning is known for. Being sacked 4 times this game is quite frankly depressing. Which begs the question of the O-line. Being the most crucial part of the team the O-lines key job is to protect the quarterback. Which, frankly, just wasn't done tonight. After the half Dallas continued to dominate the field. Demarco Murray shows that is skills as a RB the first drive of the half exploding down field for 9 yards, then again for 1 to make a first down. You could see that Murray likes to juke and sidestep his way into an open pocket. Which, by the way, was very successful. Outside of the the slight scare where he popped the ball up which was subsequently caught by Miles Austin. Murray did his part to set up a nice pass that was thrown to D. Bryant. Then kevin Oagletree did his part in catching that phenomenal throw for 40 yards to make it a second touchdown for the Cowboys. The Giants also responded with a good drive. Starting with a completion by Dominic nixon. Then a nice drive by Bradshaw for a short gain. Followed by a decent throw to Bennett. Which was overturned do to illegal block by Victor Cruz making it 2nd and 6. Despite the setback manning manages to make the first down. Manning continues to push forward with 2 more completions. Then on 3rd and 4 manning throws a 39 yard bomb to Nixon which was caught therefore setting them up in the Redzone for the second time. Manning then handed the ball to Bradshaw who then barreled into the end zone for a touchdown. Making the score 14 to 10, with Dallas up by 4.
     Now Dallas has the ball. Romo completes a short pass to make it 2nd and 2. He then hands the ball to Demarcus Murray who then finds a nice pocket and takes it for 39 yards. Which then sets up a great drive to the Redzone. Romo throws a quick pass to John Phillips to make it 2nd and 4. Then Giants defense is still  applying pressure on the Cowboys. Covering all of Romo's weapons in the back field. However Romo quickly responds by rolling out of the pocket and scrambling up the middle for a first down. Which makes it first and goal. He hands the ball to Murray for a gain of 4. Then begins to feel the pressure of the Giants defense. Attempting to roll out and scramble for a second time though this time it lead to a sack. Leaving the Cowboys to put up a field goal. The Giant then receive the ball with seconds left in the third. Manning hands it to Bradshaw for a gain of 5. Cowboys continue to put pressure on the manning. Forcing an incomplete. 3rd down manning throws an incomplete however a flag on the defense (roughing the passer) gives them 1st down. Manning then hands the ball to Bradshaw, who is struggling to get a gain against the Cowboys' defense. Afterwards Manning makes a completion to the tight end to make it 3rd and 4. Though Manning still can't shake the Cowboys which results in another sack. Which turns the ball over to the Cowboys. Cowboys start on the 17 yard line.

Manning gets taken down by the cowboys tough defense

Murray carries the ball for a nice gain. The Cowboys receive another delay of game making it the 3rd of the night. The Cowboys have a hiccup here that the Giants should have used to push them on their heels. After almost every play a flag was thrown as a result of O-Line mistakes. Though the Cowboys get it together long enough to make phenomenal 30 yard pass to miles Austin for a Touchdown to make it 24 to 10.
     Giving the ball back to Manning. Eli throws to Bradshaw for 9 yard gain. You could tell that Eli was having a tough time with this defense even late in the game. They just kept stuffing almost every pass they made. Then when they finally give him an opening Victor Cruz drops it. Making it his 3rd drop of the night. Luckily Nicks makes a catch for a gain of 9. And Manning gets the first down. He then tries to throw it to Dominic hixon though he just didn't hit the target. Manning tries again This time hickson makes the catch to make it 3rd and 6. While desperately trying to get points on the board. Manning then gets a break when he passes it Cruz makes a catch making it 4th and 1. Which gets them close enough to get the first. Hand off to bradshaw to make it 1st and goal. With a no huddle offense manning makes a quick throw to Bennett for their 2nd touchdown. Making the score 24 to 17.

Dallas returns the ball to the 36 yard line. Romo hands it to Murray for short gain. Murray then gets another gain to make it. 3rd and 2. Then romo hands it Murray again, he tries slide in to make a first down however a flag is down. This makes it the 12th flag for the Cowboys. Turning it to 3rd and 10. Romo passes it Oagletree which seals the deal. Devastating the giants at home. Making the end result 24 to 17. This game was surely one to grow on. You could definitely see some people to keep an eye on as the season progresses. And even though the giant gave up 24 points you could see that their defense is going to be tough to beat. Hopefully the Giants make some adjustments after this game. And Hopefully Manning's O-line toughens up a bit more. Overall this was a good game to start off the season. Both teams were tough. And both teams played their hearts out. There is nothing more a fan could want. Unless your a Hardcore Giants fan. In that case there's always next Sunday.