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NFL Week 1 Preview: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

By Eric Robinson

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) in game action against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) in game action against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Why The Cowboys Will Win

In unique fashion, the Dallas Cowboys will kick off the 2016 season with two important rookies at the two most important positions on offense. Fourth rounder Dak Prescott was the darling of preseason and truly impressed while first rounder Ezekiel Elliott showed glimpses of stardom and will feast behind an offensive line that has roadblocks as linemen in left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard La’el Collins, center Travis Frederick, right guard Zack Martin, and right tackle Doug Free.

If the running game is collecting rushing yards in chunks, it will allow Prescott to pick apart the Giants defense with receivers Dez Bryant, Terrence Williams, and Cole Beasley. Speaking of Dez Bryant, the self-proclaimed “X-Factor” is 100% healthy and will have a massive chip on his shoulder this season.

Dallas was 17th in the NFL in total defense last season, allowing 347.9 yards per game, only totaled 31 sacks in 2015, and was in the middle-of-the-pack in points allowed per game with 23.4, good for 16th. What started out as a focal point has turned into a possible red alert on defense as the pass rush was the victim of a suspensions (Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence) that will put a cramp into that element.

Thankfully, the team has a productive linebacker when healthy in Sean Lee and the luxury of a secondary that sees arguably it’s best corner returning in Orlando Scandrick, who missed 2015 after tearing two ligaments in his knee in training camp. Add in an underrated free safety in Byron Jones, and the Cowboys have the classic ingredients of a bend-but-don’t-break defense.

Next: Prediction

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