New York Giants Eli Manning (#10) and Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo (#9)
The NFL season is finally upon us, and the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants will kickoff the season against their division rival Dallas Cowboys at Metlife Stadium.
The Giants swept their two game series against the Cowboys in 2011. The first in Week 14, and when Dallas had a chance to tie the game with a field goal in the final seconds, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul blocked the field goal to end the game. The Giants knocked Dallas completely out of contention in Week 17 when they defeated the Cowboys to take the NFC East crown, and eventually the Super Bowl.
Here is a look at what you will see Wednesday night when the two teams meet again since that Week 17 game.
New York Giants
Offensive Key Injuries
OL James Brewer (out/back)
OT Will Beatty (Questionable/back)
WR Hakeem Nicks (Questionable/foot)
RB Da’Rel Scott (Questionable/knee)
RB Ahmad Bradshaw (Probable/hand)
Defensive Key Injuries
CB Prince Amukamara (out/ankle)
DT Marvin Austin (out/back)
LB Michael Boley (Questionable/hamstring)
CB Jayron Hosley (Questionable/toe)
LB Mathias Kiwanuka (Questionable/groin)
DE Adrian Tracy (Questionable/hamstring)
Will Beatty is a big piece to the Giants already weak offensive line. The Giants will be facing a top linebacker in DeMarcus Ware, who shuffles around the defensive line to confuse opponents. It’s crucial that he is kept away from Eli Manning.
Hakeem Nicks is back in time to play for Week 1 after suffering a broken foot in May. He’s listed as questionable, but I believe the Giants will use him whenever he’s needed. Ahmad Bradshaw should be in full strength for this game, but it will be David Wilson shining the field in the running game.
The weakest part of the defense will be the corners, but even then they are still pretty solid. With Terrell Thomas out for the season and Prince Amukamara out for Week 1, the rookie Jayron Hosley will be looked at to step his game up. He’s proved his place during the preseason. Mathias Kiwanuka should be healthy enough to start and be very solid as he always is and if Adrian Tracy can’t play there’s always Adewale Ojomo, who had a fantastic preseason and has proven his power.
Dallas Cowboys
Offensive Key Injuries
TE Jason Witten (Doubtful/abdomen)
WR Andre Holmes ( Questionable/knee)
WR Miles Austin (Probable/hamstring)
WR Dez Bryant (Probable/knee)
C Phil Costa (Probable/back)
RB DeMarco Murray (Probable/wrist)
RB Phillip Tanner (Probable/hand)
Defensive Key Injuries
S Matt Johnson (out/hamstring)
NT Jay Ratliff (out/ankle)
S Danny McCray (Doubtful/neck)
CB Mike Jenkins (Questionable/shoulder)
LB Kyle Wilber (Questionable/thumb)
LB Dan Conner (Probable/hip)
LB DeMarcus Ware (Probable/hamstring)
The Cowboys main offensive man is of course their quarterback Tony Romo. He, however, will likely not have his favorite target on the field in Jason Witten. They say Witten is doubtful, but they might as well list him as out. He lacerated his spleen a few weeks ago and going up against players like Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, and Osi Umenyiora isn’t anything you want to risk. Romo can move well in the pocket and has a quick release to use Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, but facing the Giants defensive front, after what they did last year, it won’t fair easy.
The biggest offensive threat the Cowboys should offer is their running game. DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones are both very explosive running backs, but will find it hard against Pierre-Paul, Tuck, and Umenyiora. Those three will need to work twice as hard.
The weak point of the Cowboys tomorrow night will be their cornerbacks. Honestly, I don’t think they’re as good as they’re hyped up to be. I can see them putting Brandon Carr and a safety on Victor Cruz, but then that leaves the rookie Morris Claiborne having to cover either Nicks or Domenik Hixon. The situation could be reversed and the same results will be delivered, but I don’t see it going in Dallas’ favor.
As the Cowboys are tired of being pushed around by the Giants, and the Giants are looking to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke, this opening game could be a fight to the death.
My overall prediction: Giants 37 Cowboys 28
