New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys Preview
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
When: Sunday, September 11, 4:25 PM ET
Line: New York Giants (-1) at Dallas Cowboys (+1); total: 46.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Writer’s Pick: New York (-1)
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Betting on the New York Giants (-1)
It’s Ben McAdoo time in the Big Apple. With Tom Coughlin stepping down after 12 years and two Super Bowl titles with New York, the future of the Giants now lie in the hands of McAdoo, the team’s former offensive coordinator. The Giants will open their season on the road, where Eli Manning and company look to start the post-Coughlin era on the right foot against the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants have lost each of their last five season openers, three of which have come against arch-rivals Dallas.
One player who has clearly flourished under the guidance of McAdoo is Eli Manning. The 12-year veteran has enjoyed two of his best statistical seasons for the Giants since McAdoo arrived in 2014. During that two-year span, Manning was ranked third in the NFL in touchdowns (65) and sixth in passing yards (8,842). Last year alone, the two-time Super Bowl champion threw a career-high 35 touchdowns while setting franchise records in attempts (618) and completions (387).
Benefiting largely from Manning’s recent play is Odell Beckham Jr. He has been spectacular for the Giants the past two seasons, racking up 187 catches, 2,755 yards and 25 touchdowns. Those mind-blowing numbers rank second, first, and fourth in NFL history, respectively. He will have his work cut out for him, however, against a Dallas secondary that was fifth in the NFL in passing defense, allowing just 227.0 yards per game last season.
The Giants are 4-3-1 ATS in their last eight road games. They are pegged at +1,000 to win the NFC Championship this season.
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys (+1)
The injury bug bit the Dallas Cowboys hard in preseason, as quarterback Tony Romo suffered a compression fracture in his back in the game against Seattle. It’s a huge blow not only for the Cowboys but also for Romo who missed 12 games last season after breaking his collarbone twice.
With Romo sidelined for the next 6-10 weeks, the Cowboys now turn the keys over to rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. The Mississippi State alum has had an outstanding preseason, completing 78 percent of his passes for 454 yards and five touchdowns.
Prescott’s fine performance can be attributed to the fact that the Cowboys run similar offensive sets to the ones he used back in college with the Bulldogs. The fourth-round pick had significant success, particularly as a senior in the spread system, completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 3,793 yards, with 29 touchdowns and only five picks.
Over the last five seasons, the Cowboys have consistently ranked near the bottom of the NFL in play-action passing plays attempted (they were 30th in 2015). That is about to change with Prescott under center and Dallas parading not only the league’s best offensive line but also one of its best running backs in rookie Ezekiel Elliott this season. 14 of the 50 passes Prescott has attempted this preseason have come on play-action passing plays. Look for Prescott to utilize this weapon against a Giants secondary that allowed a league-worst 298.9 yards per game on the air last season.
The Cowboys are 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS in their last six games against the Giants. They are pegged at +2,500 to win the Super Bowl this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Eli Manning powers the Giants (-1) to a 31-24 win over the Cowboys.
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