NFL roundup: Cowboys open by shutting down Beckham-less Giants

Tough guy Jason Witten scored the game's only touchdown while setting another franchise record for the Dallas Cowboys, perhaps the most prestigious yet.

Ezekiel Elliott took care of the tough yards, churning out another 100-yard game two days after learning that his six-game suspension over a domestic violence case is on hold.

While Witten and Elliott helped Dallas produce points, the Cowboys shackled a New York Giants offense missing dynamic receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in a 19-3 victory Sunday night in Arlington, TExas.

"You just enjoy the journey," said Witten, who began his 15th season by breaking Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin's club record of 11,904 yards. "I'm just trying to devour where I am at this moment. It's a great time in my life."

Elliott, last year's NFL rushing leader, had a rugged 104 yards on the ground and another 36 receiving in a game that he knew he would get to play regardless of a federal judge's ruling in his bid to have the NFL's punishment overturned.

"You just have to block it out," said Elliott, who could play the entire season depending on the next legal move by the NFL. "You just have to focus on being the guy I need to be for this team. I think I am good for this locker room."

Dak Prescott was turnover-free while throwing for 268 yards as the Cowboys dominated the division rival that beat them twice during last year's NFC-best 13-3 campaign. Dan Bailey kicked four field goals.

"We have plenty of players who can make plays on the offense outside of Odell," coach Ben McAdoo said. "That's no excuse."

Manning was 28 of 37 for 211 yards with an interception and connected with new receiver Brandon Marshall just once, late on a desperation drive with the outcome already settled.

Witten scored the Cowboys' first touchdown on a 12-yard catch and finished with seven catches for 59. Witten, already the franchise leader in catches, now has 1,096 receptions for 11,947 yards.

The 35-year-old Witten is the only tight end other than Tony Gonzalez with at least 1,000 catches and 10,000 yards. He broke Irvin's record on an 11-yard catch early in the second quarter.

Elliott had to work for his yards after the crowd cheered loudly when he was introduced

Ezekiel Elliott had a rugged 104 yards rushing and another 36 receiving two days after a judge halted his six-game suspension over a domestic violence case, although last year's NFL rushing leader had already been cleared to play the opener.

Dak Prescott was turnover-free while throwing for 268 yards as the Cowboys dominated the division rival that beat them twice during last year's NFC-best 13-3 campaign, one that was fueled by the sensational rookie years for the quarterback-running back duo. Dan Bailey kicked four field goals.

Eli Manning didn't have Beckham in his 200th consecutive start after his dynamic top target sprained his ankle in the preseason. The Giants managed only 233 yards of offense, including 49 in the first half.

Witten scored on a 12-yard catch and finished with seven catches for 59, breaking Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin's club record of 11,904 yards. Witten, already the franchise leader in catches, now has 1,096 receptions for 11,947 yards.

Witten, 35, is the only NFL tight end other than Tony Gonzalez with at least 1,000 catches and 10,000 yards.

Carolina 23, San Francisco 3: Cam Newton threw a pair of touchdown passes following Brian Hoyer turnovers and the Panthers shut down Kyle Shanahan's offense in his coaching debut for the host 49ers. Newton didn't look particularly sharp, but it didn't matter against a team that went 2-14 last year.

Pittsburgh 21, Cleveland 18: Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to tight end Jesse James as the Steelers, with minimal help from Le'Veon Bell, opened the season by holding off the host Browns. Roethlisberger improved to 21-2 against the Browns, who gave the rival Steelers all they could handle, a positive sign for coach Hue Jackson and Cleveland fans after a horrid 1-15 season. But the Browns couldn't stop All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown, who made a leaping catch in traffic for 38 yards with 2:26 left to seal the victory. Brown finished with 11 receptions for 182 yards. Pittsburgh plays host to the Vikings in Week 2.

Oakland 26, Tennessee 16: Raiders star Derek Carr threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns for his third consecutive victory over Marcus Mariota and the host Titans in as many years. Amari Cooper caught a touchdown pass as Oakland made the Titans pay for opening the season with an onside kick they couldn't recover. Both Carr and Mariota broke their right legs hours apart on Christmas Eve for season-ending injuries. Mariota looked healthy in running for a 10-yard touchdown, and threw for 256 yards.

Baltimore 20, Cincinnati 0: A rebuilt Ravens defense forced five turnovers from Andy Dalton, making it easy for Joe Flacco in his return from a back injury vs. the host Bengals. Baltimore got touchdowns 24 seconds apart late in the first half to take control, with Jeremy Maclin scoring on a 48-yard run-and-catch, and ended a five-game losing streak in Cincinnati.

Jacksonville 29, Houston 7: Leonard Fournette ran for 100 yards and a TD in his NFL debut, and the Jaguars had 10 sacks and forced four turnovers vs. the host Texans, who benched QB Tom Savage at halftime for rookie Deshaun Watson.

L.A. Rams 46, Indianapolis 9: Jared Goff passed for 306 yards and a touchdown in his first victory as an NFL starter, and the host Rams, in their best performance since their return to Los Angeles, routed the Colts in Sean McVay's impressive debut as the youngest head coach in modern league history.