Giants vs. Cowboys Full Team Grades

Pass Defense: C

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a pass while defended by New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Taking a look at Tony Romo’s statline will make it tough to believe the Giants’ passing game is receiving a passing grade, but they were a big reason they were in a position to win at all. They intercepted Romo twice in the game, both of the opportunistic variety; Uani Unga picked one off when a pass deflected off Jason Witten’s hands, while Trumaine McBride got one after Brandon Meriweather separated Devin Street from a pass in the fourth quarter.

Another other positive was the fumble forced on Cole Beasley that resulted in a touchdown return by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Rodgers-Cromartie returned it 57-yards to put the Giants ahead 10-6.

Other than that, it was pretty rough for the Giants in defending the pass. Despite losing Dez Bryant multiple times, the first for dehydration and the second to a foot injury, Romo still found a way to pick apart the Giants defense. The target was Unga, who struggled in pass coverage. Romo abused him in the middle, as he constantly found Lance Dunbar and Witten for big gains to move the chains. Witten caught the game winning touchdown on poor coverage from Unga, who made it extremely easy for Romo to hook up with his security blanket.

Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara were as strong as you could have asked them to be as they are the only two reliable people in the Giants secondary on the outside. Rookie Landon Collins and Meriweather actually held things down in the middle of the field pretty well as the most damage was done between the defensive line and linebackers.

Speaking of the defensive line, it wasn’t for the three turnovers they forced in the passing game, this would have been an F grade. Romo sat in the pocket like he was wearing a red non-contact jersey as the Giants generated no pass rush. Romo was only hit once as he was able to sit there and pick the team apart. They will have to figure out a way to generate pressure without Jason Pierre-Paul, who looks like he may be out longer than originally expected.

While the secondary performed over their heads for most of the night, they crumbled when it mattered most as Romo picked out the weaknesses and turned it into a Cowboys win.

Next: Run Defense Grade