Dez Bryant is the toughest wide receiver the Giants will face this year.
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JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact -Dez Bryant has the rare combination of size, speed, strength and competitiveness that few possess. He is excellent in the red zone, as evidenced by his 16 touchdowns last year. Julio Jones is right there with Bryant, and I almost gave him the nod, but Dez is a VERY small step above. Later in the season, the Giants will see Mike Evans, who could one day get in their category but he is not there yet. Brandin Cooks is likewise too young and unproven to be in that group. Brandon Marshall is still excellent, but he is on the wrong side of 30.
DAN SALOMONE: Fact -The numbers speak for themselves. The 2014 touchdown leader and All-Pro receiver can do it all and does. His size and speed make it one of the toughest challenges for any team. And the Giants have to do it at least twice each year.
LANCE MEDOW: Fact -Based on stats and track record, Dez Bryant is clearly the toughest wide receiver the Giants will face this season. In each of the last three seasons, he's posted at least 88 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Between his size, strength, speed and leaping ability, Bryant is one of the most versatile receivers in the NFL. The Falcons' Julio Jones is a close second given his similar traits, but Bryant has the stronger resume and the Giants have to deal with him twice this season. After those two, New York will face a talented group of up-and-coming young receivers including Sammy Watkins, Jordan Matthews, Brandin Cooks and Mike Evans. They all have a ton of upside but the sample size is extremely small with all four entering just their second season in the league.
If the Giants hold the Cowboys to fewer than 100 yards on the ground, they will win the game.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact -Despite the fact the Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray, they still want to run the football behind an excellent offensive line.
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**If the Cowboys finish with less than 100 yards rushing (they averaged 147.1 yards on the ground last year), it means the Giants have dominated the line of scrimmage and could potentially force Tony Romo into some mistakes on disadvantageous downs and distances. Even if the Giants get a lead early, Dallas will still run the football. A study was done on their play-calling last year, and their run percentage did not change much, if at all, when they were ahead or behind. They will stay committed to the run.
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction -Like all rivalry games, it seems like anything can happen when these two teams meet. So stats like the Cowboys being 13-25 over the last five seasons when they don't rush for 100 yards can be thrown out the window. Normally you'd take those odds, but then again, you have Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. on one side, and Tony Romo and Dez Bryant on the other.
LANCE MEDOW: Fact -Last season, the Cowboys ranked second in the NFL with 147 rushing yards per game. When Dallas ran for at least 100 yards, its record: 12-2; less than 100 yards: 0-2. The numbers tell it all. In 2014, the Cowboys offense was well-balanced. Tony Romo and company ran the ball 508 times and had 476 pass attempts. That nearly even divide was thanks to one of the best rushing attacks in the league. It helped Dallas lead the NFL in time of possession (32:51) and also finish second in third down efficiency (47%). Last season, the Cardinals and Eagles were the two teams that held the Cowboys to under 100 rushing yards. By limiting the running game, Arizona and Philadelphia took away Dallas' main strengths. Both the Cardinals and Eagles won the battle in time of possession and forced the Cowboys to face unfavorable third downs, which set up turnovers. Dallas was just 7-23 on third down in both games combined and had five turnovers. Despite losing DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys still showcase one of the best offensive lines in the league, so I don't see them changing their script too much. If the Giants hold the Cowboys to fewer than 100 yards rushing, the game should play into their hands.
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Odell Beckham Jr. will score the first touchdown of the Giants' season.**
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact -Especially with Victor Cruz nursing a calf injury, I expect the Cowboys to throw all sorts of attention Beckham's way. They will do everything they can to stop Beckham from scoring against them, which he did four times last year. It isn't going to matter. The Cowboys are missing their top corner in Orlando Scandrick, and don't have safeties that excel in deep coverage. Beckham will score, and he will score early.
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction -It's definitely going to be a fake punt that Brad Wing runs 50 yards into the end zone. Definitely. Beckham will be second.
LANCE MEDOW: Fact -Last season, Odell Beckham scored four touchdowns against the Cowboys and in each contest he was the first Giant to reach the endzone. With Victor Cruz still nursing a calf injury, Beckham will continue to be Eli Manning's top target and even though the Giants are seeking more balance on offense this season if there's one area to attack the Dallas defense, it's through the air. Their top corner, Orlando Scandrickk is out for the season with a torn ACL and his replacement, on the outside, Morris Claiborne, is coming off the same injury Cruz suffered last season (torn patellar tendon). The Cowboys will likely devote some extra personnel to Beckham, but it will be no different than the adjustments they made from game one to game two last season.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Cowboys on Sunday
WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. The reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year's life changed the last time he played on "Sunday Night Football" against the Dallas Cowboys. He made a catch that you may have seen once or twice before and proved he was much more en route to 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. For the time being, the wide receiver corps will have to fill the void of Victor Cruz, who is dealing with a calf issue after missing the last 10 games of 2014 with a knee injury. "All we can do is go out there and make him proud," Beckham said. "Play to the best of our ability, and when he's back with us and back going, I'm definitely looking forward to it and excited."
![LT ERECK FLOWERS
For the third year in a row, a rookie is in line to start on the Giants' offensive line. After Justin Pugh did so in 2013, Weston Richburg followed last year, and now Flowers, the ninth overall pick out of the University of Miami who will be playing one of the most important positions in football: left tackle. "You know, I started my first game ever [against the] Cowboys, Sunday Night Football, so I told him it's going to be an electric atmosphere," Pugh said. "It's definitely going to be something that he'll never forget. But just to go out there and calm his nerves down and go out there on that first play and just hit somebody, kind of shake off all those jitters, and just settle in and get ready to play one hell of a game."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/sshntjeoavzvtmyclhh8.jpg)
LT ERECK FLOWERS For the third year in a row, a rookie is in line to start on the Giants' offensive line. After Justin Pugh did so in 2013, Weston Richburg followed last year, and now Flowers, the ninth overall pick out of the University of Miami who will be playing one of the most important positions in football: left tackle. "You know, I started my first game ever [against the] Cowboys, Sunday Night Football, so I told him it's going to be an electric atmosphere," Pugh said. "It's definitely going to be something that he'll never forget. But just to go out there and calm his nerves down and go out there on that first play and just hit somebody, kind of shake off all those jitters, and just settle in and get ready to play one hell of a game."
SAFETY LANDON COLLINSThe Giants' second-round pick will make his NFL debut at AT&T Stadium, where three years ago, he began his All-American career at Alabama with a victory over Michigan. Primarily a freshman backup in 2012, he made his first start a season later against Tennessee and returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown. But the NFL is a whole different ball game. He's going up against Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo out of the gates. >> COLLINS READY TO MAKE IMPACT "I mean, Tony Romo said he's looking for key matchups," Collins said of being tested as a rookie. "If he's going to look for key matchups, he's going to pick on me. He's going to get what he wants. He's not going to get what he wants, but he's going to get what he wants."
![RB SHANE VEREEN
After watching his former team and defending champion New England Patriots kick off the 2015 season on Thursday night, Vereen will make his debut as a member of the Giants. While Vereen, who set the Super Bowl record for most receptions by a running back, is a safety valve for Eli Manning in the passing game, he is one of four running backs on the Giants' roster after the team kept only three last year. "Rashad [Jennings] is healthy and running well; Andre [Williams], another year under his belt running a variety of schemes that we like to do, he's improved there with his reads," McAdoo said. "Add Shane to the mix and Orleans [Darkwa], as well, I feel like we'll be more consistent there and have a chance to be a pretty good running team."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/zpvvqtn01upftctqfp2s.jpg)
RB SHANE VEREEN After watching his former team and defending champion New England Patriots kick off the 2015 season on Thursday night, Vereen will make his debut as a member of the Giants. While Vereen, who set the Super Bowl record for most receptions by a running back, is a safety valve for Eli Manning in the passing game, he is one of four running backs on the Giants' roster after the team kept only three last year. "Rashad [Jennings] is healthy and running well; Andre [Williams], another year under his belt running a variety of schemes that we like to do, he's improved there with his reads," McAdoo said. "Add Shane to the mix and Orleans [Darkwa], as well, I feel like we'll be more consistent there and have a chance to be a pretty good running team."
WR DWAYNE HARRIS Kickoff return, punt return, and gunner, Dwayne Harris can do it all on special teams. While he tries to bring a spark to the third phase of the game, the former Cowboy came to the Giants to be more involved in the offense. Now the new member of Big Blue will go against his old teammates in Big D. "I know in Dallas, we definitely take that first game against the Giants very seriously," Harris said. "I'm pretty sure we're doing the same thing here. I think that rivalry is definitely a builder for the first game."
Both Eli Manning and Tony Romo will throw at least three touchdowns in Week 1.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction -Both teams will score at least three offensive touchdowns but I think a few will come on the ground. We already discussed the Cowboys penchant for running the ball, but the Giants want to be a much better running and balanced team this year as well. Andre Williams should be a good back inside the five, and the Giants know the best way to be a good red zone team is by running the football.
DAN SALOMONE: Fact -They did so in their two meetings in 2014. Manning threw for 586 yards and six touchdowns while Romo went for 554 yards and seven scores. These have been high-scoring affairs in recent years, and once the pregame ceremonies clear on kickoff weekend, we could see another.
LANCE MEDOW: Fiction -On paper, this matchup looks like it could be a high scoring affair given the strengths of both offenses but that doesn't mean it's going to be an offensive clinic through the air. The Cowboys had the second best rushing attack in the NFL in 2014 and despite DeMarco Murray leaving in free agency to sign with the Eagles, I still expect them to place an emphasis on the run especially with the offensive line still intact. One of the main offseason goals for the Giants was to improve their running game (ranked 23rd in 2014)) and I think they'll look to have more balance in the opener especially in the red zone with the offensive line and three running backs all healthy and ready to go. Last season, Eli Manning and Tony Romo threw for at least three touchdowns in each game. I'll think they'll both come close but with the running game showcased on each side that could eat into the quarterbacks' numbers.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Cowboys on Sunday
WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. The reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year's life changed the last time he played on "Sunday Night Football" against the Dallas Cowboys. He made a catch that you may have seen once or twice before and proved he was much more en route to 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. For the time being, the wide receiver corps will have to fill the void of Victor Cruz, who is dealing with a calf issue after missing the last 10 games of 2014 with a knee injury. "All we can do is go out there and make him proud," Beckham said. "Play to the best of our ability, and when he's back with us and back going, I'm definitely looking forward to it and excited."
LT ERECK FLOWERS For the third year in a row, a rookie is in line to start on the Giants' offensive line. After Justin Pugh did so in 2013, Weston Richburg followed last year, and now Flowers, the ninth overall pick out of the University of Miami who will be playing one of the most important positions in football: left tackle. "You know, I started my first game ever [against the] Cowboys, Sunday Night Football, so I told him it's going to be an electric atmosphere," Pugh said. "It's definitely going to be something that he'll never forget. But just to go out there and calm his nerves down and go out there on that first play and just hit somebody, kind of shake off all those jitters, and just settle in and get ready to play one hell of a game."
SAFETY LANDON COLLINSThe Giants' second-round pick will make his NFL debut at AT&T Stadium, where three years ago, he began his All-American career at Alabama with a victory over Michigan. Primarily a freshman backup in 2012, he made his first start a season later against Tennessee and returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown. But the NFL is a whole different ball game. He's going up against Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo out of the gates. >> COLLINS READY TO MAKE IMPACT "I mean, Tony Romo said he's looking for key matchups," Collins said of being tested as a rookie. "If he's going to look for key matchups, he's going to pick on me. He's going to get what he wants. He's not going to get what he wants, but he's going to get what he wants."
RB SHANE VEREEN After watching his former team and defending champion New England Patriots kick off the 2015 season on Thursday night, Vereen will make his debut as a member of the Giants. While Vereen, who set the Super Bowl record for most receptions by a running back, is a safety valve for Eli Manning in the passing game, he is one of four running backs on the Giants' roster after the team kept only three last year. "Rashad [Jennings] is healthy and running well; Andre [Williams], another year under his belt running a variety of schemes that we like to do, he's improved there with his reads," McAdoo said. "Add Shane to the mix and Orleans [Darkwa], as well, I feel like we'll be more consistent there and have a chance to be a pretty good running team."
WR DWAYNE HARRIS Kickoff return, punt return, and gunner, Dwayne Harris can do it all on special teams. While he tries to bring a spark to the third phase of the game, the former Cowboy came to the Giants to be more involved in the offense. Now the new member of Big Blue will go against his old teammates in Big D. "I know in Dallas, we definitely take that first game against the Giants very seriously," Harris said. "I'm pretty sure we're doing the same thing here. I think that rivalry is definitely a builder for the first game."
