Trevon Diggs' vicious Saquon Barkley hit that ignited TD was message to critics

Anybody catch their breath yet? The Dallas Cowboys have turned up the heat on Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants.

A comedy of Giants errors set the stage for a blocked field goal by Juanyeh Thomas that Noah Igbinoghene returned for a touchdown to open the scoring.

The Cowboys defense has been nothing short of suffocating since. Micah Parsons is living in the backfield, DeMarcus Lawrence has a sack and safety Markquese Bell blew up a running play on third down to force a punt.

An interception was the only thing missing from the first quarter ... until Trevon Diggs delivered a ferocious hit on Saquon Barkley. The hit knocked the ball in the air and DaRon Bland camped under it for the easiest pick-six you'll see all year.

Trevon Diggs hit on Saquon Barkley ignites Cowboys' defensive touchdown vs Giants

Bland gets credit for the interception -- the first of the year after a five-INT rookie season -- but the touchdown doesn't happen without Diggs.

Diggs, who inked a five-year, $97 million extension with the Cowboys this offseason, has taken criticism for not being physical enough in the open field.

The critics were out in full force after Dallas' playoff loss to the 49ers last season, when he was exposed in the run game and whiffed entirely on a George Kittle circus catch in a 9-9 game in the third quarter. This came after the Wild Card win over the Bucs in which Diggs missed what could have been two big tackles early in the game, due to a seemingly lackluster effort.

It's clear Diggs is out to send a message after signing a new contract. It he can become a sure-handed (and more willing) tackler in the open field, there's nothing standing in his way of becoming the NFL's best cornerback.

More from Our Site: