2016 NFL Season: Picking The Week One Winners
By Erik Lambert
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
One of the great rivalries in football. It’s never boring when the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys get together. This game has the feel of an offensive shootout. Eli Manning has three quality targets in Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard. The Cowboys have the best offensive line anywhere, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. The big unknowns are whether Dak Prescott can pickup where he left off in the preseason and if that pricey new Giants defense is up to the challenge.
Notable Injuries:
Tony Romo (DAL) – The last time the Cowboys lost Romo, it ruined their season. Hopes are they’ve avoided that disaster with Prescott but it doesn’t erase the loss of the Pro Bowler. Not entirely. He could miss as many as 10 weeks with his back injury and there’s no telling how effective he’ll be whenever he gets back. It’s an injury that will handicap this offense.
Key Matchup:
Damon Harrison vs. Zack Martin
The Giants know that Dallas is going to live and die by whether they’re able to run the football. One of the primary keys to that success is up front with right guard Zack Martin, an All-Pro. It was for that reason they invested a good amount of money in signing Damon Harrison away from the Jets. The big defensive tackle is a space eater with the strength to clog running lanes, making it hard to for running backs to find room. That will be his sole purpose in this game.
Prediction: Giants win 31-28
Next: DET @ IND