Visiting Cowboys cut down Giants in NFL season opener

The Dallas Cowboys spoiled an opening night celebration of the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory by beating the home team 24-17 to launch the 2012 National Football League season.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo completed 22-of-29 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns.

Unheralded Kevin Ogletree, who had no touchdown receptions in his first three seasons in the league, caught eight passes for 114 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while DeMarco Murray rushed for 129 yards on 19 carries.

"This is a hostile environment, a tough place to play," said Dallas coach Jason Garrett. "When you play the Super Bowl champs at their place on opening night, it's a difficult task. We viewed it as a challenge."

The opening night program began with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ushering in the new season and saluting the Giants to the roars of more than 80,000 fans, but before long it was the Cowboys who were dominating on the ground and in the air.

"Humble pie is basically what it is," said Giants coach Tom Coughlin. "Hopefully the competitive nature of our guys, they will come out swinging (next time).

"You're not going to get excuses from us tonight. They beat us."

The Cowboys built a 24-10 lead with less than six minutes to play after a leaping catch by Miles Austin turned into a 34-yard touchdown before the Giants closed in with a 79-yard scoring drive.

Dallas ran the clock out after Romo connected with Ogletree for 15 yards to convert a third-and-12 with about two minutes left in the game, as the Cowboys avenged two late season losses to New York that kept them out of the playoffs.