5 crucial takeaways from Cowboys' Week 1 beatdown of NY Giants

2. Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell earned more playing time

Look, we'd give a game ball to every defensive player if we could, but Thomas and Bell were paramount to the Cowboys' shutout.

Thomas set the tone early and came up with some huge stops against the run that looked like possible big-gainers. It was also Thomas' blocked field goal that opened the scoring and took the air out of a ravenous MetLife Stadium and he delivered a crucial block on Graham Gano on the scoop-and-score.

It was a dream NFL debut for Thomas, but Bell might have one-upped his teammate. The second-year defender led Dallas with eight tackles (six solo), which included blowing up a Saquon Barkley run on third down for a seven-yard loss.

Whenever there was a play to be made in the box, it felt like Bell was right in the thick of it. The Cowboys' pass rush will get most of the credit for Sunday's performance, but Bell was immense in the second level of the defense.

Dan Quinn has to find a way to get both Thomas and Bell on the field moving forward, even when Donovan Wilson returns from his calf injury.