• March 29, 2024

NFL Opening Night Pick

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

The NFL season gets underway with one of the better NFC East rivalries. Dallas faces an uphill battle on Wednesday night, as they go on the road with some key injuries to try and take down the defending Super Bowl champions. Tony Romo’s most reliable target, Jason Witten, is doubtful for tonight’s game with a spleen injury. Romo will also need to contend with the elite pass rush of the Giants, and it’s unlikely that the weak Dallas offensive line is up for the challenge of fending off guys like Jason Pierre Paul, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Chris Canty.

For the Cowboys to have a chance in this game, they’ll need strong efforts from their running backs and defense. DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones will have to establish a run game to keep the New York defense off balance and set Tony Romo up for success. Defensively, Dallas spent the off-season rebuilding their secondary (drafting Morris Claiborne, signing Brandon Carr and Brodney Pool). This revamped unit will get a big test in their first game together, and will have to stop Eli Manning from connecting with Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks down the field.

I think Dallas has the tools they need to beat the Giants, but they haven’t had a chance to play together and jell yet. The Giants are the more established, solid team at this point, and should be able to come out on top to start the season 1-0.

Pick: New York

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Denny Basens

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paulman
paulman
September 5, 2012 10:57 am

A couple of young WR’s to emerge on the Giants Offensive side tonight
Ramsey Barden (a 6′ 6″ Target who had a very nice Camp and Preseason) after 2 very quiet years after being a high Draft Pick a few years ago
Jerrel Jernigan who is their Version of a Danarius Johnson, another high Draft pick a couple years ago who had soem injures and a slow start to his carrer but has remained heathly and really blossomed this Summer into a nice Slot WR, Runs reverses, Returns Punts
Rueben Randle (this years High Draft Pick) is another big and strong target at 6-2 210lbs..
The Giants WR Corps of Nicks,Cruz,Hixon,Barden,Jernigan & Randle is the deepest, toughest and most physical in the NFC East bar none.. The Eagles have too many small,shy away from contact WR’s on their Roster in my opinion which makes a huge difference playing physical Teams and in the Red-Zone..
The Eagles WR corps remind me of the Houston Oilers under the Warren Moon which were fun and exciting to watch but couldn’t get it done when playing Physical Teams or Playoff Time or down in the the Red-Zone where most games are really won or lost..

EaglesSuck
EaglesSuck
September 5, 2012 2:38 pm

I like the Cowboys in this game. I think the lost to Jason Witten is overrated and Damarrco Murray will shine in this game. Dallas 31 NYG 20

paulman
paulman
September 5, 2012 4:08 pm

I don’t think the COwboys have a chance versus teh GIants..
The Interior OL of the Cowboys is a mess right now and the Giants will exploit it big time and come up the gut all game long and Sack Romo on his back 6-8 times would be my guess.. Both Defenses are improved from a year ago so I am expecting a lower scoring game than many may think.. Giants 26 – Cowboys 16 ..

2000man
2000man
September 6, 2012 3:29 am

wrong

EaglesSuck
EaglesSuck
September 6, 2012 6:58 am

Did I not call this one? WOW why am I not in Vegas? haha

paulman
paulman
September 6, 2012 10:56 am

Cowboys kick their butts in the 2nd Half. .The Giants DL/OL looked fatigued and had a lack of energy and urgency as the Cowboys OL became more amd more confident after a shaky start..
If and when the Cowboys are able to run the ball effectively like Murray did last evening in the 2nd Half, then their Offense and Play-actiona and bootleg calls for ROmo become that much more effective..3 Players on Offense from the COwboys who Impressed, RB murray, WR Ogletree and TE Hanna..

The Giants are going to have issues running the ball, they don’t have a very good OL when it comes to pounding the ball like they used and their RB’s are shify RB’s but are not made for pounding between the Tackles like a lot of plays call for.. If you prevent the Cutbacks on Bradshaw, he becomes a very average back at best and behind him on their Depth Chart are young, unproven RB’s..

paulman
paulman
September 6, 2012 10:58 am

2 Starters on the GIants who are not in Physical Shape to play NFL Football at a high level

LG Kevin Booth and DT Rockey Bernard were winded and out of breath by halftime and really struggled in the 2nd Half

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
September 6, 2012 11:52 am

Yeah, all week all I heard about how how bad the Dallas O-line was but the Giants O-line was not good last night.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
September 6, 2012 6:38 pm

The Cowboys defense looked like mid season form…..It’ll be interesting to see how our defense stands against top teams