*A look at the Giants' 19-3 loss to the Cowboys as the team regroups for Week 2: *

When you don't play complementary football, you're not going to receive many compliments.

That's what the New York Giants are waking up to Monday morning after their 19-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, who began their NFC East title defense by avenging Big Blue's 2016 series sweep. The Giants were outgained 392-233 in total yards while losing the time of possession by nearly 10 minutes, a trademark of this current Dallas team.

"We allowed them to do what they wanted to do, and that dictated the game for them," linebacker and defensive captain Jonathan Casillas said. "We were on our heels for most of the game. We can't play like that. We have to play complementary football and I don't think we did that [Sunday night]."

IT WAS OVER WHEN

In the fourth quarter, Anthony Brown intercepted Eli Manning's pass intended for wide receiver Roger Lewis, who was unable to win a tug of war with the Cowboys cornerback. Dallas took over near midfield with just under eight minutes to go and bled the clock until kicker Dan Bailey made it a 16-point lead at the two-minute warning. 

KEY STAT

Because of the deficiencies in time of possession, first downs and third-down conversions, the Giants never began a drive beyond their own 25-yard line, which they did four times simply because of touchbacks. On the other six possessions, they began with their backs squarely against the Dallas end zone at the six, nine, 10 (twice), 11 and 14-yard lines.

AROUND THE LOCKER ROOM

"They played less man, especially in third downs. The last couple of times they played a lot of man-to-man, and this time they played a lot of zones and some new coverages.  They had a good plan, and they did some stuff we didn't execute or had plays that worked. They had some new stuff and we just couldn't find the right time to hit them or hurt them with those coverages." – QB Eli Manning

"I know what kind of team we have. In a low-scoring game like that, we just have to find a way to win. We are going to come back. We get in Tuesday, Monday, whichever day we come in, watch that film, put it behind us and get ready for Monday night." – CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

"Obviously, you miss the best player in the NFL not being out there. But we need to be able to run the ball, control clock, get first downs and, at the very least, don't go three-and-out and give the ball back to them for a seven to eight-minute drive. We need to be the ones having drives like we had in the third quarter – 10 minutes. You saw when you wear those guys down, we were able to move the ball and do some good things. We've got to be the offense doing that. We can't be going three-and-out." – LG Justin Pugh on playing without WR Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle)

WHAT THE LOSS MEANS FOR THE GIANTS

All four NFC East teams were in action against each other in Week 1, with the Cowboys and Eagles winning while the Giants and Redskins started 0-1 in the division. The Giants have a long week to prepare for their home opener on "Monday Night Football" against the Detroit Lions (1-0).

"Tough way to open the season," coach Ben McAdoo said. "Give Dallas all the credit.  They came out here and won the ball game.  We have a long week to get better as a football team and we have a lot of work to do."

WHAT THE WIN MEANS FOR THE COWBOYS

Dallas snapped a three-game losing streak to its NFC East rival while looking to become the first repeat champion in the division in more than a decade. After opening at home, the Cowboys now go on the road for back-to-back games in Denver and Arizona.

"Getting the win the first game of the season was the most important thing, doesn't matter if it was against those guys (the Giants) or whoever it was against," quarterback Dak Prescott said. "Not to beat them last year, then to come back and get them game one with that win and start the season off 1-0, it was a great night."