Dallas QB Dak Prescott hurts the Giants with his arms and legs in the first half

ARLINGTON, Texas – The goal of Giants defense Landon Collins was to keep the ball in the hands of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Pay attention to what you want.

The wish of the Giants has indeed materialized in the first half of Sunday night's game against the Cowboys at the AT & T stadium.

Instead of flying the formidable half-bearer Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys took possession of their tank at Prescott – and the young quarterback led Dallas to a 10-0 lead.

Prescott not only completed 5 of his 8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, but he outscored Elliott on the ground, 27 yards to 24, making two big runs to keep up speed.

On Wednesday, security and defense leader Collins made it clear that the Giants were focusing on Elliott, who led the NFL as a rookie in 2016.

In doing so, he challenged Prescott. A fourth round pick of the Mississippi State, Prescott was featured as a rookie in 2016 when starter Tony Romo was injured in the pre-season's first game, and Prescott was very effective.

But Prescott struggled at the end of last season, hitting only 200 yards twice in his last eight games. He made six touchdowns and nine interceptions during this period.

He was just as ineffective last week in the first game of the season, surpassing just 170 yards and no touchdown as the Dallas offense failed in a 16-8 loss to Carolina.

Sunday night, however, Prescott took control from the first slam, hitting Allen Hurns on a 9-meter slope. Two games later, Prescott hit a home run, stunning the Giants by connecting on a 64-yard pass to open receiver Tavon Austin.

Austin's stutter drifts off the line, causing the cornerback Janoris Jenkins to stumble. That was all he needed. Austin grabbed Prescott's pass in the left sideline, slipped through Curtis Riley's 10-yard effort and took the scenic drive to the end zone.

At the next takeover of Dallas, Prescott did some damage with his legs, pulling the ball out of Elliott's belly on a reading option and taking off left for a 15-yard gain that put the Cowboys within reach of purpose. Brett Maher's 37-yard goal gave Dallas a 10-0 lead at half-time.

The Dallas attack was not just the Prescott show. Elliott ran nine times for 40 yards, including a 19-yard electric run on which he shot a draw in the middle in an outdoor game with a tough cut and outscored the Giants defense on the corner.

In addition to his long touchdown touchdown, Austin added 15 yards on the back, taking an Elliott throw on the left side just before Prescott's 15-yard run.