HC Mike McCarthy on Cowboys' statement-making 40-0 win: 'We know where we want to go'

Over an hour after the resounding victory of the Dallas Cowboys over the New York Giants in their season opener, Micah Parsons made his presence felt on social media with a message: “Y’all thought this was a game?!”

In reality, there was no contest on Sunday night. The Cowboys showcased their dominance with a lopsided 40-0 victory, making a clear statement about their Super Bowl aspirations.

Micah Parsons shared his belief in the Cowboys’ defense, declaring, “I think we made the statement which I’ve been trying to make: We’re the best defense in the National Football League.”

The significance of the win extended beyond the final score. It marked the largest shutout victory in Cowboys history, surpassing previous scoreless victories in 1978, 1977, and 1995, all of which were achieved by Dallas teams that reached the Super Bowl.

While head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the impressive start, he also emphasized the long journey ahead. He stated, “It’s one game. We’re excited. We feel good about the way we played tonight. I think we’re still evolving. We know where we want to go. I feel like we are fully capable and have an understanding of how to get there. But it’s a long journey.”

The game got off to a stunning start with Parsons recording a sack on the opening drive. The Cowboys’ defense secured a total of seven sacks during the game, relentlessly pressuring Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.

The Cowboys’ dominance extended to special teams, with Noah Igbinoghene scoring his first career touchdown on a blocked field goal return. DaRon Bland added to the lead with a 22-yard interception return, giving the Cowboys a 16-0 advantage before the first quarter ended.

The Giants struggled to gain momentum, amassing only 171 yards and committing three turnovers. The game was thoroughly controlled by the Cowboys in front of a prime-time audience.

Looking back at the previous season, the Cowboys finished with a 12-5 record, achieving consecutive seasons with double-digit wins for the first time since 1996. With the ultimate goal being a Super Bowl berth, McCarthy is cautiously optimistic about the historic start and hopes it paves the way for success in the future.

“We took the first step the right way,” McCarthy remarked. “We played their identity. We took the ball away, we took care of it. We ran it when they knew we were going to run it. That’s the way these games are going to go when we line up each week. I thought we got off to a good start.”