ARLINGTON, Texas — The way it started for Saquon Barkley, it looked like Sunday was going to be a glorious, productive — winning — season opener.
On the second play from scrimmage, Barkley burst through a gaping hole on the left side of the offensive line and rambled for 59 yards to the Dallas 23-yard line. Four plays later, the Giants, a touchdown underdog, were leading on the road, 7-0, on an Eli Manning scoring pass to Evan Engram.
Then, as the afternoon progressed and the game began to get away from the Giants — resulting in a 35-17 Cowboys win at AT&T Stadium — Barkley disappeared.