With all the offensive weapons the Dallas Cowboys have on their roster, it was third-year receiver Kevin Ogletree who pointed so-called America’s Team season in the right direction Monday night.
Ogletree, playing close to his hometown of Queens, N.Y., emerged as a key component with eight receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboy’s 24-17 victory over reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
“A huge emphasis for us was big plays,” Ogletree said after the win at MetLife Stadium. “I don’t want the focus to be on me too much, but I am very, very humbled and appreciative of how we played today.”
The victory hardly makes up for the loss to New York that determined last year’s NFC East title and sent the Giants on their way to the NFL championship. But it does get Dallas off to a strong start.
Quarterback Tony Romo was outstanding, throwing for three touchdowns and 307 yards. Romo converted a key third-down pass to Ogletree to help run out the clock in the fourth quarter.
Running back DeMarco Murray rushed for 129 yards against a usually stout Giants defense. On the other side of the ball, New York quarterback Eli Manning was harassed all night and sacked three times in front of 82,287, the largest crowd at MetLife Stadium for a Giants game.
“We let them know where we are as a defense, and that we’ll play that way every week,” Dallas defensive lineman DeMarcus Ware said after getting two sacks to give him 101 1/2 in his eight-year career.
“I’m close to home, so it’s a good feeling,” Ogletree said. “But Dallas is my home now.”
The Cowboys’ big-time receivers – Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Whiten, who played despite having a lacerated spleen two weeks ago – were eclipsed by Ogletree, who gives Romo another weapon. And makes Dallas that much more dangerous.
