Schottenheimer said that early in the game, Cowboys RB Javonte Williams was “running into a freaking wall.” Clearly, the flat route coverage and early run game were not things the second-year head coach was pleased to see in the opener.
This play came on Dallas’ second drive of the game, facing second down and two. The Giants’ outside linebackers are some of the best players on their roster, and showed it on this play. On the left side, Kayvon Thibodeaux is able to power to his position against Tyler Guyton, and on the right side, Abdul Carter shoves Jake Ferguon straight into the gap that it looked like Javonte Williams was going to run through, so much so that Williams had to push Ferguson out of the way.
That split-second delay, paired with Thibodeaux getting to his spot, ultimately led to there being no gain. It was an example of Schottenheimer’s reference and a story of the first half, where Williams rushed for just 25 yards on nine carries. Schottenheimer did not like the penetration New York’s defensive tackles were getting, so expect there to be an emphasis on that against Washington.