On Sunday, the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys faced off in a key NFC East match-up. After an injury-laden game on both sides, the Cowboys prevailed 45-35.
In the beginning it looked as though the Cowboys would dominate their long-time rivals. The Giants, however, scored 10 points in the last 30 seconds of the first half to pull within one. Shortly thereafter, the Cowboys' potent offense exploded into action, scoring 28 points in the second half and totaling 478 yards for the game.
Terrell Owens had two touchdowns during the scoring blitz, including a diving catch into the back of the end zone. Tony Romo contributed a touchdown of his own, scrambling in from nine yards out.
Despite these setbacks, the Giants' stalwart offense didn't let up. Quarterback Eli Manning and his team mounted rally after rally to pull within three points in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Giants, their secondary fell victim to another long pass from Romo, as he hit Sam Hurd for a 51-yard score to seal the win.
Both teams paid heavily for their efforts; the Giants lost starting tailback Brandon Jacobs and star defensive end Osi Umenyiora to injuries early in the game. Additionally, Manning left the game late in the fourth quarter with a bruised shoulder after demonstrating true leadership ability and poise - something that he had failed to exhibit in previous seasons.
The Cowboys weren't exempt from the deluge of injuries, losing nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the season - their third defender to fall this year.
Syracuse football trounced in Iowa
Last Saturday, the Syracuse University football team picked up right where they left off last season, losing spectacularly at Iowa, 35-0. The Hawkeyes were nearly flawless, while the Orange paled in comparison. Coach Greg Robinson's offense totaled only 103 yards, compared to 408 yards compiled by Iowa.
The Hawkeyes completely reigned over the first half, scoring 28 points. Iowa's defense held the Orange to only five first downs, none in the first half, as well as only one yard of offense in the first half. Syracuse's only two scoring opportunities were a pair of field goal attempts by Patrick Shadle in the third quarter, both of which swatted away by Iowa's Kenny Iwebema.
The loss was the worst in the three-year tenure of Robinson as Syracuse remains the only team in the Big East without a victory this season. The Orange have lost their last three games by an average of 32 points, dating back to last year's loss to Rutgers. This weekend, Syracuse hosts Illinois at the Carrier Dome.