Baldinger: I don't believe in Cowboys, Giants will control the line of scrimmage

[Amarth]

The Cowboys had 135 & 143 yards rushing vs the giants last year. They have traded away their best DT (Dexter Lawrence) and replaced him with a lesser run stopper off the street. Their interior DL are DJ Reader, Shelby Harris, and ex cowboy Chauncey Golston. Why the heck would you think they can't run up the gut?

Lawrence was still good last year but not as good as he has been, he’s never been known for his run stopping, it’s been more his ability to get to the QB. DJ Reader, who replaced him, is hardly “a lesser run stopper off the street”, he had a better PFF run stopping grade than Lawrence last year.

Reader also had this going against him “Among defenders with 250 snaps played in 2025, defensive lineman DJ Reader was the most double-teamed player (57.7 percent) in the NFL. Reader played for the Lions last season and signed with the Giants in May.”

Not saying we won’t or can’t have success running up the middle on them but your quite a bit off on your assessment of Reader.

 

[ratkinson]

The hype train seems to be slowing one day before kick-off.
It was loco just a few days ago.
Lol, my first pun.

 

[Whiskey Cowboy]

They're probably going to give the OL some problems. The offensive tackle position is shaky on a good day and Tyler Smith being on the sideline isn't doing us any favors.

I think the Dallas front 7 on defense is going to be the strength of the team, and I really don't see the Giants OL moving them around. It should be a close defensive fight. Dallas has the big-play weapons and QB to beat them deep, and I think that will be the difference.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Yeah, we will damage their pass rush.
They can have plays to counter it.

May be a long night for our WRs not getting involved if we can't block their rush

 

[jazzcat22]

May be a long night for our WRs not getting involved if we can't block their rush

Quick short passes will take care of that, and if the get some YAC for big gains. They will need to back off the pass rush some. Drop in coverage.

 

[Amarth]

How are they stout up the middle? They have one dt that's done anything in the league.

But anyway, I'm glad some media is fawning over us. Got tired of the Cowboys hype.

We obviously don’t know how good Reese will be but I guarantee he’ll be a much better LB’er than what they had last year, they also added Edmunds who was one of the top 20 LB’ers against the run last year. It’s not just the Dline who will make running against them harder, the LB’ers have a lot to do with that as well.

Again, not saying we can’t do it or won’t have success but on paper they’re better against the run this year then people are giving them credit for.

 

[Risen Star]

My *purely* gut feel for Giants-Cowboys:
Scheme matters. Dennard Wilson’s defense will look different to Dak. CBs will be in hip pockets/breaking on passes aggressively - combine that with a run scheme a bit out of whack due to Tyler Smith injury - the first half will be low scoring for DAL. I can see some leaks in the second half - two TDs for DAL. If Giants can get to 24 I think they win this game.

 

[Risen Star]

It's not looking good.

 

[zrinkill]

This dude was in the NFL primarily as a backup ....... he started an average of 4 games a year.

Who cares what he thinks.

 

[DoctorChicken]

The Giants DL is pretty good and has the potential to be extremely good, if all their young guys pan out. Reese and Carter could be a heck of a duo. Thibodeaux has been a borderline bust considering his draft status. His second year was pretty good, but since then he’s been injured and has not played very well. I bet they don’t pick up his 5th year option.

Their DT duo of Harris and Reader are good, but neither are great pass rushers. They’re both getting a smidgeon long in the tooth (35 and 32 years old).

Their LBs and DBs are nothing to be afraid of (Colton Hood could turn out to be pretty good - he’s a dawg, but it’s his first game in the NFL).

Get the ball out quick to Lamb/Pickens/Flournoy I’m assuming will be the gameplan.

I’m not afraid of their offense at all, besides Nabers. Dart is kind of an idiot who is going to get himself injured. Skattebo is an entertaining player, who is also kind of an idiot and is going to get himself injured.

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

Spread them out. Then exploit them on quick passes and YAC.