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Giants at Cowboys: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Matt Couden

Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks for a receiver during the first quarter in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks for a receiver during the first quarter in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants visit the Dallas Cowboys in a 2016 NFL Week 1 matchup between NFC East rivals.

Two NFC East rivals will meet to start off their seasons at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. The New York Giants will visit the Cowboys with both teams looking to get off to a winning start. Unfortunately for Dallas, they’ll be without their starting quarterback once again this season.

The biggest story coming into the game is Dallas having lost QB Tony Romo during the preseason. Romo could return in several months from his broken back injury, but for now, the team will go with rookie Dak Prescott.

The good news for the Cowboys is that Prescott was impressive during the preseason. He’ll be the only rookie QB with a starting job, due to Romo’s injury and his own hard work on the field. However, one might expect that he’ll have plenty of those rookie jitters having to start the first game of a long season ahead.

The New York Giants come in looking strong and are considered a favorite to win the division. They’ll have veteran QB Eli Manning guiding the plays and he’ll have star wide receiver Victor Cruz back as one of his top receivers. Don’t forget about Odell Beckham either. Rashad Jennings will head up the backs.

The Giants also have an expensive defensive line that will try to slow down Dez Bryant and whichever running backs Dallas uses in this matchup. As of this report, Darren McFadden was out due to injury and Lance Dunbar, his backup, was questionable. That leaves Rod Smith and rookie Ezekiel Elliott among the options. Dallas will be searching for answers at least early in their season, or they may be surprised.

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New York finished at just 6-10 last season, which was third in the division. However, this seems like their year to win the NFC East again. They certainly seem to be healthy enough to get a victory on the road Sunday barring some sort of miraculous rookie performance from Prescott. The point spread was leaning one point towards Dallas at home but has been a “pick” situation at some sports books.

Prediction: New York 

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