EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Thanks to a generous defense, the Dallas Cowboys have become accustomed to falling behind for four games in the first quarter.

Unlike the last two losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys’ offense was able to respond after the New York Giants opened with a field goal drive. It wasn’t always pretty thanks to a few penalties, but the drive ended with a 15-yard screen pass from Dak Prescott to running back Rico Dowdle that gave Dallas a 7-3 lead.

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The Giants might have thought that the Cowboys should have had a third penalty on the drive, as tight end Jake Ferguson got away with what could have been called a hold while blocking for Dowdle.

Prescott completed all nine passes on the drive to six different players: CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Ferguson, Brandin Cooks, Hunter Luepke and finally Dowdle.

This is the first time the Cowboys have taken the lead in the first quarter since the opener. After allowing a first field goal against the Browns, the Cowboys responded with a six-play, 70-yard drive that lasted 6:55.

Against the Giants, they managed 75 yards on 12 plays with 6:57 left.