FRISCO, Texas — George Pickens did not realize during Sunday’s game that the Dallas Cowboys had the ball only twice in the second half. The receiver said Wednesday at The Star that it did not feel that way from the sideline.
The New York Giants beat Dallas 28-20 at MetLife Stadium. New York ran 68 offensive plays to 52 for Dallas, converted 9 of 11 third downs, and took over at its own 28 with 5:21 left before running out the clock.
Third downs kept coming for the Giants, and Pickens said the offense never knew when it would be called to get ready.
“That’s one thing. I didn’t realize that at the time. That’s another reason why, like after the game, when I realized it, it was like it didn’t feel like that because you’re on the game, you’re on the sideline,” Pickens said. “You never know when they say it’s third down a lot. So you never know when they say offense ready up. So it was just definitely a lot of stuff going on. But, like I said, you can’t go here or there. We just, as a team, we win or lose.”
George Pickens Wants Splash Plays When Possessions Are Limited
When the drives are limited, Pickens wants as many splash plays as the Cowboys can make.
“Definitely, I say splash plays when you can, because now we know when, like you said, only two drives,” Pickens explained. “When you’re limited, you kind of want those as much as you can make them.”
Every game plays out differently, Pickens said, and Sunday could go the other way.
“Oh yeah, but then again, no, I’ll just say because each game is different. That game just panned out that way. It can be vice versa as well, so you never know,” Pickens said. “This game might be up even more, so you just got to kind of let football be football.”
Pickens caught 3 of 6 targets for 28 yards. Javonte Williams ran 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown and caught 5 passes for 31 yards and another score. Dallas ran 18 times for 69 yards.
George Pickens Calls Washington Commanders Game ‘Definitely Urgent’
The Washington Commanders lost 24-22 at the Philadelphia Eagles in their opener, leaving both teams 0-1. Pickens stopped short of calling Sunday critical, and said the division stakes make it urgent.
“I wouldn’t say, I mean, it’s so critical to where people are on their tippy toes, but definitely urgent because it’s a division game, such as the Giants was too,” Pickens said. “But definitely just be on your P’s and Q’s. I think that’s the mindset that people are more honing in now.”
Washington plays with first-year defensive coordinator Daronte Jones calling its defense. Pickens is eager to see how a new staff comes out, pointing to how Giants coach John Harbaugh could look different in New York than he did in Baltimore.
“Just not knowing how he’s going to come out. Like Harbaugh, for instance, he was at the Ravens, but he could come out in a whole different deal when he’s with the Giants,” Pickens said. “So definitely eager to find out how they’re going to play, but not too much bothered.”
Dallas swept Washington last season, winning 44-22 in Arlington and 30-23 on Christmas Day. Kickoff Sunday at AT&T Stadium is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
