Odell Beckham Jr. did a lot of great things during his truly remarkable rookie season, but none were greater than his unforgettable play against the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, not even his outstanding play could give the Giants the win as they slumped to a second-straight losing season in 2014.
Can OBJ deliver an encore performance and lead the Giants to a big W in the Big D? Or will Dallas extend its recent domination on its division foes? Read on for our preview of this marquee NFC rivalry.
Meanwhile, check out more big-time Week 1 matchups with our previews of the Packers vs. Bears and Ravens vs. Broncos.
[sc:Football ]New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
When: Sunday, September 13, 2015 8:30 PM ET
Line: New York Giants (+5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (-5); total: 51.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the New York Giants
The last time the New York Giants faced off with the Dallas Cowboys under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football, Odell Beckham Jr. made “The Catch.” It was the best catch of the year, maybe ever. OBJ literally did all he could to keep the Giants in the game as he finished with 10 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns. But even with all of his heroics, the Giants still fell, 31-28, at home.
[sc:NFL240banner ]That game was a microcosm of the Giants’ 2014 season, where they went a disappointing 6-10. Odell Beckham was busy making unbelievable plays and the offense was functioning fairly well, but the defense just couldn’t hold up its end of the bargain. This season could play out much the same way.
The Giants’ passing game ranked 12th per DVOA last season in large part due to Beckham’s breakout year, and could get even better with the return of Victor Cruz from a knee injury and the addition of Shane Vereen, who made some huge plays against Seattle’s terrific defense in the Super Bowl. However, Cruz is still questionable to play in Week 1 due to a calf injury.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ Achilles heel – its defense, which finished last season 24th in DVOA – remains a serious problem.
Rookie safety Landon Collins is expected to make an immediate impact, but the position is still an issue after their safeties suffered an absolute epidemic of injuries in preseason. Signing a couple of retreads in Brandon Meriweather and Stevie Brown won’t help too much, either.
It’s anyone’s guess where the pass rush will come from after Jason Pierre-Paul’s ill-fated hand injury ruled him out of the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, their poor run defense, which was exposed time and again by the Cowboys, isn’t expected to be any better.
The over has gone 10-2 in the last 12 meetings between the Giants and Cowboys.
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Betting on the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys’ offense, which ranked No. 4 per DVOA last season, didn’t encounter too many problems against the Giants’ defense in their two meetings last season.
Tony Romo was ridiculously efficient, as he threw for seven touchdowns against just one pick and finished with an excellent QB rating of over 135 in both games. Dez Bryant bullied his way to 16 catches for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Cowboys running game compiled 275 total yards on the ground.
DeMarco Murray is gone, but the offensive line is as strong as ever. They even added undrafted free agent (but first-round talent) La’el Collins to an already formidable unit. Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle still shouldn’t have too many problems moving the ball on the ground, especially with the O-line plowing through the Giants’ flimsy front seven.
The Cowboys did have their own problems on defense, where they ranked No. 22 in DVOA. But it was actually much better than projections heading into the year. They will be without middle linebacker Rolando McClain and pass rusher Greg Hardy, who will both be suspended for the first four games of the season.
They also lost starting corner Orlando Scandrick for the season after he tore his ACL. But star linebacker Sean Lee is set to make his return following his ACL injury last season.
Second-year defensive end Demarcus Lawrence came on strong at the end of last season, and should provide a much more potent pass rush against New York, with rookie Randy Gregory (two sacks in his first two preseason games) on the other side.
The Cowboys are 5-1 (4-2 against the spread) in their last six meetings against the Giants.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cowboys (-5) cover comfortably at home in another high-scoring affair.
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