EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Dallas Cowboys drew 7 penalties before halftime Sunday night. ESPN’s Todd Archer posted an ESPN Research note at 9:13 p.m. CT putting that at the most Dallas has taken in an opening half of a season since 2008.
That opener came at Cleveland on Sept. 7, 2008, where the Cowboys took 7 penalties for 47 yards and won 28-10.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer put the flags on a list of four things he wanted fixed, speaking at halftime on NBC with Dallas down 14-7 to the New York Giants.
“Not good enough on either side of the ball,” Schottenheimer said. “We gotta do a better job running the ball, stopping the run. The penalties aren’t good enough. Too many drops. We’ll get going. A lot of things to clean up.”
What The Seven Flags Cost The Dallas Cowboys
Dallas had not added a penalty since the break. The count stood at 7 for 60 yards with 11:02 left in the fourth quarter, and 3 of them gave New York a first down.
The Giants had 7 of their own for 89 yards. Four of those handed Dallas a first down, and the Cowboys picked up 4 first downs by penalty in all against 16 total.
How The First Half Went At MetLife Stadium
Cam Skattebo ran 3 yards for the game’s first touchdown with 6:46 left in the opening quarter.
Dallas reached the goal line late in the second. Javonte Williams appeared to score on a short run and was ruled short after review. Two plays later Dak Prescott found CeeDee Lamb from 1 yard out with 5:44 on the clock, the first Dallas touchdown of 2026. Rookie defensive back Caleb Downs recorded the first sack of his career in the same half.
Giants safety Jevon Holland then intercepted Prescott on a sliding catch at the New York 45 with a few seconds left. Jaxson Dart threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely with 25 seconds on the clock to send New York in ahead by a touchdown.
Dart hit Likely again from 2 yards out with 7:06 left in the third. Williams answered with a 1-yard run at 42 seconds.
Through 11:02 of the fourth, Prescott was 16-of-25 for 116 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Dart was 17-of-22 for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dallas ran 18 times for 69 yards and had 185 total on 43 plays. New York had 317 on 51 and 142 on the ground, and the Giants held the ball for 27:43 to Dallas’ 21:15.
The Cowboys caused 4 fumbles, recovered 1, and recorded 2 sacks despite trailing 21-14.
Dallas hosts the Washington Commanders in the home opener Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
