An inside look at Sunday’s Giants-Cowboys NFL Week 1 matchup at MetLife Stadium:
Marquee matchup
Cowboys WRs George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb vs. Giants CBs Greg Newsome II and Deonte Banks
Could this be a significant mismatch?
Pickens is coming off a standout rookie season with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. Lamb, while having what some might call a “down” year, still managed 75 receptions for 1,077 yards and three touchdowns.
Newsome, who was a first-round draft pick by the Bears, is making his debut with the Giants.
It’s interesting that Banks, the Giants’ first-round pick in 2023, managed to beat out Paulson Adebo; that’s good for him, but not so great for Adebo. It’ll be fascinating to see if Banks can turn things around in a big way.
Four downs
Second time around: Sometimes, it’s like there’s this mystical element involved.
This is how we often think about the anticipation around a “second-year quarterback.” The rookie season? Forgotten.
Suddenly, the light goes on, and it’s expected that he’ll show noticeable improvement.
Will that indeed be true for 23-year-old Jaxson Dart, who started 12 games last year and is now heading into his first opening day as the top guy?
“I feel like I’m not even the same person anymore,” he said. “You grow so much from one year to the next. I’ve definitely grown a lot this offseason, so I’m feeling pretty comfortable. It’s going to be a solid test for us.”
Reversal of fortune: In the past, the Dallas offensive line was seen as a formidable barrier that Giants defenders struggled to breach.
Maybe that’s starting to change.
The Cowboys are missing Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith due to a thumb injury. T.J. Bass might be a decent replacement, but he isn’t quite in Smith’s league.
Right tackle Terence Steele allowed a league-high 52 pressures last season, and early in training camp, Tyler Guyton took the left tackle position.
This could be a moment for pass rushers like Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux to shine.
Dak attack: It has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it? As an achievement, it’s hard to match.
Dak Prescott has a winning streak against the Giants that spanned 14 games from 2017 to 2026. That’s quite impressive, and interestingly, it ranks as the second-longest streak for any quarterback against a single opponent.
Bob Griese holds the record with 17 consecutive wins over the Bills from 1968 to 1979. Tom Brady (with a 13-game streak against the Bills from 2003 to 2010) and Steve Young (another 13 wins against the Rams from 1987 to 1989) follow close behind Prescott.
Better to receive: The last time Malik Nabers clashed with the Cowboys, he was impressive with nine catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
That game was in the second week of last season, and sadly, he suffered a torn ACL just two weeks later.
Nabers is currently listed as questionable for this game.
Another notable name is 33-year-old Odell Beckham Jr., who has returned to the team that picked him in the first round of the 2014 draft. That in itself makes for a captivating narrative.
“Not everyone gets to have a story like this, and I want to make the most of it,” Beckham remarked. “Just living in the moment.”
Paul’s pick
This is a tough opener for John Harbaugh and the Giants.
Last season, the Cowboys had a better offense and a lackluster defense, finishing below .500.
However, their defense should be significantly improved, which positions them as contenders. Jaxson Dart grappling with a completely new playbook might lead to some initial difficulties.
Let’s see how long the Giants can keep the energy up.
Cowboys 27, Giants 20
