Monday 12 September 2016 09:10, UK
New York Giants got the better of Dallas Cowboys 20-19 in their season-opening NFC East divisional clash in Arlington, Texas.
The Giants edged a scrappy encounter - particularly the second half - with Victor Cruz hauling in what would prove to be the game-winning score on his return from injury.
Dallas rookie quarterback Dak Prescott went 25 of 44 passing, for 227 yards, in an accomplished NFL debut, while fellow rookie running back, Ezekiel Elliott, earned a first rushing touchdown, but it wasn't to be enough for the Cowboys.
In 140 characters...
Victor Cruz marks return with game-winning TD as Giants edge out Cowboys despite impressive debuts from Dallas rookie QB and RB.
MVP
Manning. Harsh on Cowboys counterpart, Prescott, who impressed on his NFL debut, but Manning's experience told ultimately, with three touchdowns and 207 yards off 19 completions (28 attempts).
Game-changer
Prescott's only failing on a strong opening was an inability to complete drives, with four field goals kicked, and only one touchdown from three red zone trips. Conversely, the Giants scored touchdowns in all three of their possessions in the red zone, including the key go-ahead score from Cruz - Manning connecting with with the wide receiver on a key third-and-goal from the three-yard line.
Stat of the Night
700 - days since Cruz last stepped on the field in the NFL regular season. He marked the occasion with the game-winning touchdown, and finished with four catches for 34 yards.
The Game
Because of regular quarterback Tony Romo's back injury, Prescott and Elliott were the first rookie quarterback and running back combo to start a season opener for the Cowboys since Roger Staubach and Calvin Hill in 1969.
They didn't appear to be fazed by the task, though, with Prescott particularly looking very poised early on, guiding his team down the field on a 15-play, eight-minute opening drive, but one that would only result in a Dan Bailey field goal.
It was the first of four for the Cowboys kicker - three coming in the first half - while in contrast, Manning connected with tight end Larry Donnell and wide receiver Sterling Shepard for a pair of second quarter touchdowns to see the Giants take a 13-9 lead into the half.
That was not without its controversy as Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant had an apparent 24-yard touchdown catch from Prescott overturned on review in the first half when the replay showed the ball coming loose as he landed and slid out of bounds in the end zone.
Dallas did finally get a touchdown on the board as Elliott ran in from eight yards in the third quarter to give them the lead, one which was further extended by another Bailey kick for three early in the fourth.
But Cruz, who missed most of 2014 with a knee injury and all of last season with a bad calf, broke free in the end zone for the game winnings touchdown with six minutes to go, prompting his trademark salsa dance.
It's New York's first win over Dallas in a season opener in the last nine tries and was also a winning start to the reign of new head coach, Ben McAdoo, after 12 years and two Super Bowl titles under Tom Coughlin.
