New York Giants Week 1 Preview: Dallas Cowboys

The NFL season is almost here! With just one week until the New York Giants open up their 2017 campaign, we preview their Week 1 opponent.

We begin our weekly opponent preview with none other than the Dallas Cowboys. This year will mark the fifth time in the last six years that the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys have met in Week 1. Let’s take a look at how the Giants fared last season and their additions and losses in the offseason:

Last Year:

The New York Giants went 11-5, finishing second in the NFC East. Big Blue qualified for the playoffs but lost in the Wild Card Round to the Green Bay Packers.

Significant Additions:

WR Brandon Marshall signed a two-year deal, OL D.J. Fluker signed a one-year deal, TE Evan Engram was the Giants first round pick, DT Dalvin Tomlinson was New York’s second round pick

Significant Losses:

DT Johnathan Hankins signed with the Indianapolis Colts, WR Victor Cruz signed with the Chicago Bears, and K Robbie Gould signed with the San Francisco 49ers

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 11: Janoris Jenkins (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Matchups to Watch:

Dez Bryant vs. Janoris Jenkins

Bryant totaled just two catches for 18 yards and a fumble against Jackrabbit in two 2016 matchups. Dez is coming for Jenkins this year.

Giants’ dominant defensive line vs. the Dallas offensive line

The New York Giants have one of the more talented DL in football but the Cowboys have arguably the best OL in the NFL. Whoever wins this battle could determine the outcome of the game.

Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall vs. the very much remodeled Cowboys secondary

Big Blue added Marshall to an already skilled WR corps. Dallas lost four key contributors from their 2016 secondary. The Giants need to take advantage as the Cowboys secondary gels.

Keys to the Game:

The Dallas Cowboys are already going to be without defensive ends Randy Gregory and David Irving in Week 1 against the Giants due to their suspensions. This could fare well for the Giants offensive line, giving time for Eli Manning to throw and for New York to run the ball effectively.

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Dallas could also be without stud running back Ezekiel Elliott, who faces investigation for domestic violence allegations. This could give a plethora of opportunities for Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon to get plenty of sacks as the Cowboys will try to be pass-heavy and rely on the intuition of second-year QB Dak Prescott.

Beckham Jr. and Marshall should have a field day against the Cowboys secondary as they turn towards more young players drafted fresh out of college.

Eli Manning is primed to have an MVP-caliber season and should have no excuses in not making the playoffs. He has the weapons offensively and a defense that can match up against the likes of the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.

If the New York Giants are able to explode in the opener against the Dallas Cowboys, it will show the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles they are not to be messed with and they can be the favorites in the NFC East.

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Final Stats for the New York Giants:

Eli Manning – 350 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Odell Beckham Jr. – 170 yards, 2 TD

Brandon Marshall – 100 yards, 1 TD

Paul Perkins – 85 yards, 1 TD

Giants Defense – 5 Sacks, 2 INT

Final Score:

New York Giants come out on top 28-10

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