New York Giants (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. Dallas Cowboys (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
Week 1 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday Night Football, September 10, 2017 at 8:30PM EST
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: NBC
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: NYG +3.5/DAL -3.5
Over/Under Total: 47.5
The New York Giants come to AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in week one NFC East action. Last season, these division teams both made the playoffs and look for more of the same in 2017. Only one team will be able to get off to a good start here with a big Sunday Night Football affair Both teams were improved last season and we'll see if they can keep the positive momentum moving forward in 2017.
Dallas looks to be in good shape, but losing breakout rookie Ezekiel Elliott for a number of games doesn't help. They will have him for this game, as the legal issues and appeals get resolved. And this might be the last game he plays in a while, so expect a good one. After that, they will turn to Darren McFadden, who ran for over 1000 yards as recently as 2015. If anything, he will has a chance to recharge his career. Alfred Morris is also at the offense's disposal. They have a nice three-pack of receivers in Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley, and Terrance Williams, along with a still-useful tight end in Jason Witten. Rookie receiver Ryan Switzer is an interesting option as a receiver and return man.
The offense really came together under the steady stewardship of Dak Prescott. We'll see if he can avoid a sophomore jinx. He made good use of what he had and made a really nice connection with Beasley. At the tackle positions are Tyron Smith and La'el Collins. Travis Frederick is a dynamite center. Zack Martin is a good right guard, but there was some shuffling with the retirement of Doug Free and left guard has become a possible area of weakness.
The Giants have their own issues on offense, but after starting the season 2-3, an 11-5 finish was tremendous. Coach Ben McAdoo is back for his second year, with the offense led by 36-year old Eli Manning. The offense wasn't sizzling in 2016, averaging fewer than 20 points a game. The aerial game added a good tight end in rookie first-rounder Evan Engram and veteran WR Brandon Marshall. They should get more production from promising second-year receiver Sterling Shepard. But Odell Beckham, Jr. hurt his ankle in the preseason and his availability is in question.
The Giants lacked a run game last season and it's still iffy how that will appreciably change. But Paul Perkins and rookie Wayne Gallman add some interesting possibilities. The line has to be better if the Giants look to make a playoff push this season. Bobby Hart and Ereck Flowers are hardly an inspiring tackle-duo, even if they are fairly strong inside. With an immobile quarterback and a ground-game that lacks any real game-changers, this looks to be an ongoing problem. At the end of the day, they'll need to find the points from somewhere if they want to really contend this season.
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It's unusual to see so many offseason moves come together for a defense that adds a lot of new pieces, but the 2016 Giants' defense was a completely different animal from before. It might even be better with added chemistry and more support from the other side of the ball. Almost everyone returns, including an evolving pass-rush duo of Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon. DT Damon Harrison is a great run-stopper and Dalvin Tomlinson was added in the draft. The middle needs to be more of an impactful group, but they are super-stocked in the secondary. Eli Apple (questionable) and Janoris Jenkins are a growing duo at corner. Landon Collins has turned into a really good strong safety. Darian Thompson returns from injury and looks to start at free safety. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie adds some veteran leadership at corner.
The Dallas defense is pretty good, but it seems like injury, suspensions, and other personnel issues always creep up. On the front, the suspension of David Irving hurts and first-rounder Taco Charlton looks like he may be more of a developmental prospect. DaMarcus Lawrence was not good in 2016 and youth like Maliek Collins, Cedric Thronton, and Charles Tapper needs to come around. The star of the "D" is LB Sean Lee. The injury to blossoming linebacker Anthony Hitchens hurts. Unless Jaylon Smith can realize his talent, they might be thin in this area. The secondary lost corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, along with safeties Barry Church and JJ Wilcox. Nolan Carroll and Orlando Scandrick will man the corners with Chidobe Awuze chipping in. Look for hard-hitting Jeff Heath more at strong safety and Byton Jones their only guarantee at the position.
Expectations are high for Dallas and we'll see if they can hold up under the personnel issues that have come up in the preseason. The lack of total certainty up-front, a dicey D-line, and losses in the secondary raise questions. And for New York, how far can the defense take them? Will they see the offensive upgrade manifest even with abundant questions on the offensive line? We see this one being a little more tepid than what is sometimes the case between these two teams. We're taking the "under."
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting that the Giants vs. Cowboys game goes under 47.5 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet the Giants vs. Cowboys game by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!