Cowboys' defensive performance included record-breaking stats

The Dallas Cowboys stunned the New York Giants with a 40-0 shutout on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium. The performance was historic in more ways than one, including the way that it began.

The Cowboys started the game with a special teams score, spearheaded by two defensive newcomers, Juanyeh Thomas and Noah Igbinoghene, then Trevon Diggs knocked a ball loose for DaRon Bland to snag and score to put the team up 16-0.

The sequence marked the first time in Cowboys history that the first two touchdowns of the season came from defense and special teams. It was also the first time in the NFL since 2016 that a team had their first two touchdowns of a season on special teams and/or defense.

On top of that unique stat, Thomas became the first Cowboys player to block a field goal in his NFL debut in the last 25 years. It was also the first time since Brent Urban for Baltimore in 2015 that a player blocked a field goal in his league debut.

The blocked ball returned for a touchdown by Igbinoghene was the former Dolphins’ first touchdown as a Dallas Cowboy and his first touchdown in the league as well.

The 40-0 win also marked the Cowboys’ biggest shutout win, surpassing a 38-0 win over the Baltimore Colts in 1978. Dallas also recorded a new record shutout against the Giants, beating the previous biggest deficit of 35-0 in a season opener in 1995.

Dak Prescott: Cowboys must ‘stay disciplined’

After the game, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was quick to share a measured response to the historic win.

“It’s the first game,” Prescott said. “That’s y’all’s job to write whatever statement it needs to be. For us, it’s about not getting ahead of ourselves. Continuing to stay disciplined, to show the discipline. Not only what we did through these four quarters, but taking that and making sure we use it throughout our preparation this week.”

The former fourth-round QB extended his win streak over the NFC East rivals to 11 games with the victory.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll put the loss on his shoulders in his post-game press conference.

“I’m focused on trying to improve, and there’s a lot to improve,” Daboll said. “It’s one game. It wasn’t a good game and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. It was a bad game and it’s on me.”

Dallas, now 1-0, moves on to a Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets. It’s a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff for the Cowboys’ home opener on Sunday.