The first Sunday Night Football game this 2023-2024 football season pitted the division rivals Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants against each other on Sunday, September 10 at MetLife Stadium.
Sunday Night Football (SNF) has been a staple in American homes for decades. Beginning in 1987, the Sunday night primetime football game aired on ESPN, however NBC gained its rights and started airing on August 6, 2006.
Overall, the Cowboys had a solid defense and played a shutout game, winning 40-0 against the Giants. Here is a chronological order of events occurring and my notes during the game:
1st Quarter –
- The first point was a blocked kick by Juanyeh Thomas (#30) resulted in DAL touchdown
- Missed extra point kick by DAL
- Dallas makes a field goal with kicker Brandon Aubrey
- Fumble by NYG results in DAL touchdown by DaRon Bland (#26)
- DAL Kicker Aubrey makes the extra point kick
Fun Fact – This was the first time in Cowboys history that the first 2 touchdowns were by the special teams squad and defense.
2nd Quarter –
- Successful DAL field goal
- Touchdown by Dallas by Tony Pollard (#20)
- Successful extra point kick
- NYG miss field goal
3rd Quarter –
- DAL Touchdown by Pollard
- Successful extra point kick
4th Quarter –
- DAL Touchdown by KaVontae Turpin (#9)
- Successful extra point kick
This game sets the tone for the Dallas Cowboys’ season this year by showing their strength and dominance. Only time will tell how the rest of the season pans out, but with their recent successes, they are having a hopeful start.
People are able to watch football every week during the NFL season, but what makes football on Sunday night so significant?
Football has been around for more than 100 years, and still remains a major part of American culture today. SNF encapsulates American spirit as it showcases the competition of two football teams and shows Americans’ love for the sport. When I was younger, football did not make much sense to me. I could not understand all of the rules and ways to score. However, as I grew older, I began to see football in a new light: not something that confused me, something that grew into a fascination. Not a boring segment on TV, but a riveting game to look forward to each weekend. Football has become an integral part of my life. SNF is my time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the game. It reminds me why I love football so much as I watch two teams compete against each other during primetime. With the inclusion of the classic Sunday Night Football song, I truly have been “waiting all day for Sunday night”.
Be sure to watch upcoming SNF games on NBC, the next one is on Oct. 1, with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the New York Jets.
