New York Giants Will Put Newly Formed Cowboys O-Line to the Test

The real battle when the New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys will be how the newly formed Cowboys offensive line handles the Giants pass rush.

Perhaps the most underreported story of the past offseason was the Cowboys offensive line going through some personnel changes. The offensive line that once was undoubtedly the best in the NFL recently underwent changes and the New York Giants will look to exploit them.

Cowboys’ O-Line

This past offseason, the Cowboys lost two of their five starters on the offensive line. Left guard Ronald Leary, who started 12 games for America’s team last season, departed for the Denver Broncos. They dished out $36 million over four years for the talented guard.

The Boys also lost right tackle Doug Free, who retired in the offseason. Free started all 16 games in Dallas last season and had been a cornerstone of its offensive front. He had started all 16 games in six of the last seven seasons and his presence and talent will definitely be missed.

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Filling the void left by the two veterans are guard Chaz Green and tackle La’el Collins. Both players are entering their third year in the NFL.

Green has only appeared in four games through his first two years in the NFL, including two starts. His inexperience against top defensive linemen is a major liability. Collins, on the other hand, has a little more experience, starting 11 games his rookie year. However, he only started three contests last year.

Collins is definitely the more talented lineman of the duo. However, both are cause for concern for Cowboys fans. Even if both players turn out to be as good as their predecessors, it will definitely take time for the new line to gel together.

Just one weak link on the offensive line can disrupt a quarterback’s timing and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. The Cowboys could have two weak links this season.

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Enter the Giants Defensive Line

The biggest battle to watch in Sunday Night’s game will be the New York Giants defensive line against the Cowboys offensive line. The Giants enter the year returning three of their four starting defensive lineman from last season, with Johnathan Hankins the lone player missing.

Filling Hankins’ role on the line is rookie Dalvin Tomlinson, a defensive tackle from Alabama. Tomlinson joins veterans Jason Pierre-Paul, Olivier Vernon, and Damon Harrison.

The Giants ferocious line will look to provide constant pressure on Dallas’ sophomore quarterback Dak Prescott. If the New York Giants can make him uncomfortable, like they were able to do last year, they will set the offense up to come away with a victory.

Next: Five New York Giants Who Will Make or Break 2017 Season

Final Word

While Odell Beckham Jr. and Ezekiel Elliott might steal the headlines, the New York Giants defensive line against the Dallas Cowboys newly formed offensive line is the battle to watch. The winner of that battle will most likely come away with the win on Sunday night at “Jerry World”.