NFL round-up: Cowboys and Packers off to a winning start

Cowboys shutdown Giants while Cam Newton helps Carolina Panthers ease past 49ers

Ezekiel Elliott during the Dallas Cowboys’ opening win over the New York Gaints. Photograph: Larry W.Smith/EPA
Ezekiel Elliott during the Dallas Cowboys’ opening win over the New York Gaints. Photograph: Larry W.Smith/EPA

Dallas Cowboys 19 New York Giants 3

Ezekiel Elliott made his presence felt, but the Dallas Cowboys’ defence made a greater impact as it shut down the New York Giants in the season opener on Sunday night.

The Cowboys limited the Giants to 233 total yards, paving the way for Dallas’ 19-3 victory on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium. Elliott, playing after an injunction filed against the NFL allowed him to start the season despite a six-game suspension, rushed for 104 yards on 24 carries.

The Cowboys didn’t score in the second half until 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. Dan Bailey booted his fourth field goal, from 36 yards, for the game’s final points.

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Packers 17 Seahawks 9

The Green Bay Packers kept the Seattle Seahawks out of the end zone and quieted Russell Wilson in a 17-9 victory on Sunday.

Wilson was limited to 158 yards on 14-of-27 passing. Seattle managed only 12 first downs, converted 3 of 12 third downs and totaled just 225 yards.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 311 yards and a touchdown as Green Bay held an 18-minute edge in time of possession. Ty Montgomery added 54 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Panthers 23 49ers 3

Cam Newton threw a pair of touchdown passes and Carolina dominated defensively to beat San Francisco.

Newton completed 14 of 25 passes for 171 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown to Russell Shepard.

Brian Hoyer was 24 of 35 for 193 yards but was sacked four times and committed a pair of turnovers in his San Francisco debut.

Rams 46 Colts 9

Jarrod Goff threw for a career-high 306 yards as Los Angeles routed Indianapolis.

Goff, who was 0-7 last season, threw for a touchdown while completing 21 of 29 passes. Defensive backs Trumaine Jackson and Lamarcus Joyner contributed interception returns for touchdowns.

Scott Tolzien was 9 of 18 for 128 yards in place of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder). Tolzien was replaced by Jacoby Brissett.

Jaguars 29 Texans 7

Bolstered by a ferocious defense, a resolute effort from the offensive line, and a strong debut by rookie running back Leonard Fournette, quarterback Blake Bortles effectively managed the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 29-7 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Bortles, on shaky ground as the incumbent under center, passed for 125 yards and a touchdown while avoiding the critical mistakes that have undermined his development.

Fournette, meanwhile, rushed for 100 yards including a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and displayed the bruising running style that made him a coveted prospect out of LSU.

Raiders 26 Titans 16

Derek Carr threw for two touchdown passes and Giorgio Tavecchio kicked four field goals in his NFL debut as Oakland beat Tennessee.

In his first game since breaking his leg on Christmas Eve against Indianapolis, Carr was an efficient 22 of 32 for 262 yards. Tavecchio converted a pair of 52-yard field goals after hitting a 20-yarder on the second quarter’s first play.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, playing his first game since suffering his own broken leg on Christmas Eve, hit on 25 of 41 passes for 256 yards. Mariota also rushed for their only touchdown, a 10-yard option keeper with 6:58 left in the first quarter.

Cam Newton starred as the Carolina Panthers beat the 49ers. Photograph: Thearon W.Henderson/Getty
Cam Newton starred as the Carolina Panthers beat the 49ers. Photograph: Thearon W.Henderson/Getty

Steelers 21 Browns 18

Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to tight end Jesse James as Pittsburgh edged Cleveland.

Roethlisberger completed 24 of 36 passes for 263 yards. Antonio Brown caught 11 passes for 182 yards while James finished with six catches for 41 yards.

Cleveland rookie DeShone Kizer was 20 of 30 for 222 yards and a touchdown.

Eagles 30 Redskins 17

Carson Wentz passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns as Philadelphia defeated the Washington.

Zach Ertz caught eight passes for 93 yards and Nelson Agholor snagged six for 86 and a touchdown as the Eagles snapped a five-game losing streak to the Redskins.

Washington’s Kirk Cousins finished 23 of 40 for 240 yards with one touchdown pass, one interception and two lost fumbles.

Lions 35 Cardinals 23

Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, two to rookie receiver Kenny Golladay and Detroit snapped a seven-game losing streak to Arizona.

Stafford completed 29 of 41 passes for 292 yards. Lions wideout Golden Tate caught 10 passes for 107 yards and safety Miles Killebrew scored on a 35-yard interception return.

Cardinals star running back David Johnson left the game late in the third quarter with a wrist injury. He was held to 23 yards rushing on 11 carries and caught six passes for 68 yards.

Carson Palmer completed 27 of 48 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown but was picked off three times

Falcons 23 Bears 17

Matt Ryan completed 21 of 30 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown as Atlanta held off Chicago.

An 88-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to tight end Austin Hooper helped the Falcons grab a double-digit lead early in the fourth quarter. Running back Devonta Freeman also scored for Atlanta

Quarterback Mike Glennon completed 26 of 40 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown in his Bears debut. Rookie running back Tarik Cohen racked up 113 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown for Chicago.

Bills 21 Jets 12

Tyrod Taylor passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns as the Buffalo totaled 408 yards of offense in a win over New York.

LeSean McCoy led the Bills with 159 total yards (110 rushing, 49 receiving). McCoy left the game briefly in the fourth quarter with a wrist injury, but was able to return.

Josh McCown was 26 of 39 passing for 187 yards and two interceptions for New York.