This is going to be a big week one play for me. The second the lines get released, I want the lowest number, I bet it rises to 7.
I was originally all about the Over, but I am worried that with Claiborne and Carr playing very confident football (psychology is huge for DBs) along with Patmon getting his chance in the slot (two pick sixes in his rookie year with very limited playing time), Sean Lee returning from injury and looking 100%, Randy Gregory looking for real not only in the Pass Rush, but doing a good job of not pushing too far upfield and getting washed out in the run game, the fact that he will be facing perpetual turnstile Erick Flowers at LT, the fact that DeMarcus Lawrence (two sacks in two playoff games against two good teams to finish last year after missing most of the year with a broken foot) will be not only back, but stronger than last year (15 lbs. heavier), the fact that Davon Coleman is standing out as an upgraded 1 tech, even Byron Jones is grading out average as a rookie Safety/Dime Corner/Nickel LB, which is a very hard position to play in the NFL.
On Offense, we know what we are going to get, but here's a couple of things to mull over...
Terrence Williams got more looks in OTAs with Dez Bryant sitting out for his contract. In the first game, Tony Romo hit him for a 60 yarder, and I don't think that's a coincidence. Teams are going to try to take Dez Bryant away (they won't), but when they succeed Terrence Williams is going to make them pay. Third down they have a nearly uncoverable Cole Beasley.
The Giants, on the other hand, have a shaky O Line, subpar pass rush now that JPP is out, dinged up receiving corps, an interception prone QB (not totally his fault, but this goes hand in hand with that O Line), a WR set up for a letdown with his hubris seemingly getting the best of him in Preseason (going for 1 handed catch against the Jets when he had both hands free), a thin DB corps, S questions with Landon Collins struggling...
Really good Dallas D Line against Really bad Giants O Line, getting at a mistake prone QB throwing to a hobbled receiving corps led by an overconfident headline grabber ready for his sophomore slump into a secondary that features a first round draft pick who broke a world record, another ex-first round draft pick who looks like he's living up to his pedigree, with a potential All-Pro LB returning and looking full speed....
Literally the only weakness I see these Cowboys having are at FS if Wilcox stays in there (still questionable, they could decide to plug Jones in there, in which case they will still be weak at the position because how much can you actually trust a rookie?), and Mike LB if Anthony Hitchens can't make it this game (many are false in their evaluation of Hitchens as "average", he plugs his gap very well in the run game, and that is a very important job of the Mike. In coverage, he is at his best when he is not asked to turn, the Mike mostly stays in zone which is his strength.
So, there you go. My original prediction had the Giants putting up 24, now I think this game goes 31-10 Cowboys. maybe 38-17. But the Cowboys are going to stomp the Giants, who I believe are in line to finish last in the NFC East behind the surprising Redskins (7-9), and the East is a two horse race between the Cowboys and the Eagles, loser gets a Wildcard.
I see the Giants as 4-12 and in line for a very high draft pick. They simply missed too much in the 2011-2013 drafts and need more talent.
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