New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: Week 1 Analysis and Prediction

Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Key Matchup: Odell Beckham vs. Brandon Carr

Wide receiver Odell Beckham matches up against the guy he posterized for a lifetime in what Cris Collinsworth called the best catch he’s ever seen.

Cornerback Brandon Carr probably saw this play hundreds of times on television, creatively crafted on internet memes and possibly re-lived that play in the week leading up to the game. He must go out there against Beckham and redeem himself by putting the clamps on his numbers, but it’s a tall order to fulfill.

Beckham ended the previous season on a four-game, 130-plus receiving yards streak. He accumulated 43 catches in the last four games, which speaks to a level of absurdity considering Cruz didn’t play in any of those games.

Beckham (5’11, 198 pounds) isn’t a physically imposing receiver like Dez Bryant, (6’2”, 220 pounds) but he’s mentioned in the same breath entering his second year out of Louisiana State.

According to Pro Football Focus, Carr ranked 200th among cornerbacks in coverage in 2014, which doesn’t bode well for the Cowboys secondary as their lead cornerback.

Dallas will certainly miss cornerback Orlando Scandrick’s presence on the field. He tore his ACL in practice during the offseason, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport:

Carr may endure another embarrassment on Sunday night. Beckham starts the season fresh and ready without the need to share targets with Cruz on the opposite side.

Next: Giants X-Factor