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| http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/12/whos-going-to-win-between-the-ny-giants-and-dallas-cowboys.html |
By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)
W2W4: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, September 9th 8:30
P.M.
The New York Giants will start the 2013
season in Dallas against the rival Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The Giants
will be putting their undefeated record on the line in Jerry World, as the
Giants have won every one of their four visits there. The Giants will be
looking to erase the bad taste left in their mouths from last season’s tough
title defense and exact some revenge on the Cowboys who beat the Giants in the
season opener last season at MetLife Stadium. Here are some things to keep an
eye on for Sunday night.
-Injuries
The Giants come into the regular season
with some big question marks in the injury department. Headlining the list is
star defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul, who is recovering from offseason back
surgery. JPP has made the trip to Dallas with the team and is officially listed
as game-time decision. If he does get into the game it will be interesting to
see how he performs having such limited practice time this so far and if his
back can hold up. Having him in the lineup, even in a limited basis, would be
huge for the Giants. JPP has dominated the Cowboys in the past, namely the game
he beat them virtually by himself registering two sacks, a safety, a forced fumble
and blocked a potential game-tying field goal in 2011.
Henry Hynoski, recovering from surgery
as well, made the trip to Dallas too. Rookie Damontre Moore was also on the
plane and both players are listed as questionable. The Giants who did not make
the trip and are officially listed as OUT are offensive linemen David Diehl and
David Baas and tight end Adrien Robinson.
-New Look D-Line
The Giants last season struggled
mightily on defense, finishing the season ranked 31st in total
defense. In the offseason they made a point to beef up along the defensive line
and that is exactly what they did. New arrivals Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson,
Shaun Rogers and Jonathan Hankins give the Giants a much improved defensive
front. Justin Tuck came into the season in great shape as he looks to bounce
back from a tough 2012 season and Mathias Kiwanuka is moving back to his
natural position of defensive end.
This group will have to step up their
play from last season and will have a big test in week one against the Cowboys.
The secondary will have their hands full defending the likes of Dez Bryant and
Jason Witten so the defensive line needs to step up their game. If the
defensive line does not play up to their potential it will be a long night for
the Giants secondary.
-Wide Receiving Corps
The Giants season rides on the arm of
one Eli Manning and Manning is at his best when he has his full arsenal of
weapons around him. Victor Cruz was battling a heel injury during the preseason
but is ready to go. Hakeem Nicks says he feels as good as he has in a long time
after struggling through injuries in 2012. Both things are positives for
Manning as the Giants offense is as explosive as any when both Cruz and Nicks
are in the lineup.
Last season the Cowboys were able to
hold the combo in check as each had only eight catches in two meetings with
Nicks getting 84 yards and Cruz getting 81. The Giants will need better
production from those two if they are to top the Cowboys Sunday night.
They will have some more help this
season though as Reuben Randle has turned some heads in the offseason with his
development. Randle gives Manning a legitimate third receiver to throw too and
keep the Cowboys off balance. The Giants have one of the top receiving corps in
the NFL and producing like they are capable will be a big part in the Giants
success Sunday night.
-New Faces on Offense
The Giants will be putting a lot of
faith into some new and inexperienced players on offense Sunday night. The two
with the biggest responsibility may be the youngsters on the offensive line.
Justin Pugh, the Giants first round pick in the draft this year, will be making
his first career start at right tackle. Another youngster, James Brewer, will
be starting at left guard. Surrounding the two inexperienced players will be
Will Beatty, Kevin Boothe and Chris Snee; the three of them have plenty of
experience combined to help along the starters. They will look to keep Manning
upright and open holes for the Giants run game, where arguably the biggest
change was made this offseason.
The Giants have David Wilson in the
backfield and he will be the feature back carrying the load for the Giants as
Andre Brown was injured in the preseason and there aren’t many options behind
him. Wilson will look to show the Cowboys just how talented he is as he was
benched last season in the season opener against them for fumbling. Wilson has
looked like a stud in the preseason and the Giants hope it will carry over
throughout the regular season. If he is able to pass protect for Manning he
will be able to stay on the field and give the Giants that big play ability
every time he touches the ball.
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