Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants Fantasy Football Preview
As Jesse stated earlier, football is back! It doesn’t quite feel like fall just yet, but I’ll take football season any way I can get it. Tonight is opening night for the NFL regular season, pitting the Dallas Cowboys against the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. These bitter division rivals played in a very close game late last season that wound up propelling the Giants to winning three of their last four games, including a blowout win over the Cowboys in week 17.
This year, there figure to be more fireworks as the Cowboys have done everything in their power to improve as a team through free agency and the draft, and the Giants figure to have a very similar look to last year with a couple of minor changes. Here’s what you should look for tonight if you are a fantasy football player.
Quarterback
You really can’t go wrong with this one here. Both Eli Manning and Tony Romo are solid yet not spectacular fantasy football options. There were plenty of guys last year who threw more touchdown passes than both of these guys, but if you get good points for yardage, these guys will put up big numbers. Both provide a big risk here with interceptions, and can either be really efficient and accurate or look like trash, throwing three or four interceptions. Don’t be shocked to see one guy in this bunch put up big numbers and the other guy succumb to the pressures of the defense on the other side.
Best bet: Eli Manning, Giants–I like the hometown QB in this matchup.
Running Backs
The big name back in this game plays for Dallas, and it’s a breakout player from last year in DeMarco Murray. Murray is easily the best proven back in this game, though I’m intrigued by New York rookie David Wilson. I have been shying away from Ahmad Bradshaw in most of my fantasy drafts because I think Wilson is going to steal a lot of playing time. I think he is actually a decent play in this game and could provide the Giants a spark in the running game, passing game, or return game if they throw him back there. He showed his playmaking ability in the preseason, so he should get some significant touches. Stay away from Felix Jones until he proves he can put up points on a consistent basis, but with Murray in the fold, don’t expect that anytime soon.
Best bet–DeMarco Murray, Cowboys
Wide Receivers
This position is loaded for this contest. If you have any primary receiver on either team, I think you’re in for some big points. You can’t go wrong here with any one of Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz (Giants) or Miles Austin and Dez Bryant (Cowboys). Heck, I even run a PPR and return yardage league where Dwayne Harris (Cowboys) is expected to get a lot of points. All of the players I just mentioned are good plays, and good bets for more than 5 catches and 80 yards apiece. Last year, Victor Cruz emerged as one of the best wideouts in the game, and I think if Dez Bryant gets his head on straight, he could do the same this year.
Recommendation: Start any one of Nicks, Cruz, Austin, or Bryant. They are all solid plays.
Tight Ends
Avoid this position in this game like the plague. Dallas could be without Jason Witten due to a lacerated spleen, and New York doesn’t get the tight end a lot of good looks in this offense. I think you should steer clear of any tight ends in this game until they play later and the season and Jason Witten is back in action.
Final Outlook
There are a lot of really solid fantasy football plays in this game, especially at the wide receiver position. There should be big points out there on the field tonight for your fantasy football squads.