The New York Giants are gearing up to open their season at home on Sunday night against their arch-rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. It’s a significant matchup as the Giants have struggled in recent years against the Cowboys, with just one win in their last 12 encounters and four wins in their last 20 meetings. Last season, under the leadership of head coach Brian Daboll, the Giants exceeded expectations and even won their first playoff game since their Super Bowl 46 victory. Daboll was named the AP Coach of the Year, and with star running back Saquon Barkley back in action, quarterback Daniel Jones is looking to reclaim the division title from Dallas.
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The Giants have struggled against the Cowboys recently, with just one win in their last 12 meetings and four wins in their last 20.
However, the Giants face a tough challenge in Week 1, as the Cowboys boast a formidable defense that ranked sixth in the NFL in scoring defense last season, allowing just 19.7 points per game. They excelled in creating turnovers, leading the league in both turnovers forced (33) and forced fumbles (17). Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has kept his post, and the unit is anchored by first-team All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons, who was a dominant force with 90 pressures last season. While the Cowboys had a strong defense overall, their run defense was a vulnerability, allowing 129 rushing yards per game.
Last season, under coach Brian Daboll, the Giants exceeded expectations and won their first playoff game since Super Bowl 46. Daboll was named AP Coach of the Year.
To address their defensive shortcomings, the Cowboys used their first-round pick on Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith to bolster their defensive line. They also re-signed linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and acquired five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore through a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, further strengthening their defense. Gilmore’s addition will complement Trevon Diggs in the secondary, giving Quinn more flexibility to call man coverage.
The return of star running back Saquon Barkley boosts the Giants’ offense, led by quarterback Daniel Jones.
On the offensive side, the Giants have made significant additions to their playmakers. They plan to leverage Daniel Jones’ mobility and deploy a quick-hitting passing attack. Offensive coordinator Mik Kafka and Daboll will incorporate zone-read plays to counteract the pass rush posed by Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence. In Week 1, the Giants will need to be cautious when using play-action bootlegs due to Parsons’ speed and pursuit.
The Giants are expected to use creative passing concepts with heavier personnel to challenge the Cowboys’ defense. Depending on the situation, they may rely more on Saquon Barkley or force Mazi Smith to prove his worth as a first-round pick. The Giants will use condensed formations with receiver Isaiah Hodgins as the slot receiver to execute crack toss plays, particularly if the Cowboys opt for man coverage.
The Giants plan to utilize quick passes and zone-read plays to counter the Cowboys’ pass rush.
In Week 12 of the previous season, the Giants leaned heavily on power-gap runs over zone runs. Barkley and others were utilized in various personnel packages to keep the defense guessing. The Giants will also employ rub routes and condensed stacks to exploit space when facing Dallas’ man coverage concepts. They plan to target speedy receiver Jalin Hyatt deep to stretch the field and create opportunities for the rushing attack and quick passes.
Outsmarting the Blitz: Safeguarding Daniel Jones and Forging Turnovers in the Giants vs. Cowboys Clash.
The Giants’ coaching staff will adjust their game plan to counter Quinn’s in-game tendencies, especially concerning blitzing. Dallas blitzed frequently last season, and the Giants may not rely solely on five-man protection schemes. They will likely use tight ends and running backs in quick pass protection before releasing them as check-down options or even attempt screens if Dallas pressures aggressively. Ultimately, the outcome of the game may hinge on the Giants’ ability to protect Daniel Jones against the Cowboys’ pass rush. In their previous meeting in Week 3 of the last season, Jones was under pressure on a significant number of dropbacks. The Giants need to ensure better protection for Jones while applying pressure on Dak Prescott to create turnovers.
Examining the Giants’ Home Advantage and Cowboys’ Offensive Challenges in the Upcoming Showdown.
The Giants’ fan base is expected to create a hostile environment for Dallas, and while a win won’t come easy, it’s certainly within reach. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have some offensive question marks, particularly regarding Prescott’s inconsistency and the running game in Ezekiel Elliott’s absence. However, they still possess a potent receiving duo in CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.
The Cowboys’ offensive line, traditionally one of the NFL’s best, has some changes, with Connor McGovern departing and Tyler Smith moving to guard. The pass-blocking weakness is likely right tackle Terence Steele. McCarthy’s return as the play-caller aims to reduce Prescott’s turnovers and get the receivers in sync with their quarterback. Despite McCarthy’s intentions to maintain a balanced offensive approach, the Giants expect the Cowboys to lean more towards a run-heavy strategy, especially if their defense continues to perform well. McCarthy’s play-calling tendencies, characterized by predictability, could be a weakness for the Cowboys if they don’t diversify their offensive scheme.
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Current odds favor the Cowboys, with a spread of -3 ½ and a money line of -170, while the Giants are at +145. This information can help bettors make informed decisions and maximize their potential returns. Bet on all NFL games over at betanysports.eu/bang-the-book/ and claim a 30% cash bonus.
