Dallas Cowboys beat New York Giants in NFL season opener

The Dallas Cowboys upset the reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants 24-17 in the opening game of the NFL season. The scoreline flattered the Giants and offered some revenge for the New Year's Day defeat that cost the Cowboys the NFC East title and sent the Giants on their way to the NFL championship. Tony Romo threw three touchdown passes and 307 yards, while DeMarco Murray rushed for 129 yards and Kevin Ogletree scored two touchdowns. Dallas' defense frustrated Eli Manning and his offense with three sacks in front of the largest crowd at MetLife Stadium for a Giants game. The 82,287 saw the defending league champions lose in the now-traditional midweek kickoff contest for the first time in nine such games. When the Cowboys were threatened late — a spot they have often folded in against the Giants — Romo hit Ogletree for 15 yards on third down to clinch it. That gave Ogletree 114 yards from eight catches. Before Wednesday Ogletree had 25 receptions and no scores in four years. In the first half, Ogletree had five catches for 47 yards and a TD, and broke free for a 40-yard reception early in the third quarter. Ogletree fooled New York's cornerback, Corey Webster on his long score to start the second half. And they got another huge play from Murray, who broke two tackles in the backfield, scooted down the right sideline for 48 yards, and set up Dan Bailey's 33-yard field goal for a 17-10 lead after three quarters. After Manning connected with former Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett for a 9-yard touchdown with 2:36 remaining, Dallas never gave the ball back. "Take a bite out of humble pie, that's basically what it is," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "It brings you right back down to earth." Ahmad Bradshaw, scored on a 10-yard run for the Giants' first touchdown. There was little controversy surrounding calls made by the replacement officials. The only moment was when Manning threw to Victor Cruz in the middle of the end zone and Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick arrived along with the ball. Manning and Cruz motioned for a flag, but it did not come.