Giant's matchup: When the Cowboys are on offense

[NYNY]

He has more catches against the New York Giants than any other player in NFL history. He has PERSONALLY beaten the Giants three times in his career with game winning receptions.

I hope your players have the same opinion as you.



Vernon had 0 sacks against Dallas last year and two of his five worst games based on advanced metrics were against Dallas. Tyron graded out better in both games.



Hankins was the second highest rated lineman in the NFL against the run last year and played the overwhelming majority of meaningful snaps.

I generally don't like embarrassing people, but you came here asking for it.

0 sacks. But He was second I the league in QB hurries and top 5 for pressures.

 

[NYNY]

Don't forget JPP was out the second game last year.

 

[TWOK11]

0 sacks. But He was second I the league in QB hurries and top 5 for pressures.

He had three pressures combined in two games against Dallas.

 

[NYNY]

I especially like his comment on Hankins not being impactful. He's literally trying to argue that losing one of the best run defenders in the entire league won't have much of an impact against the best running team with the best OL in football.

And even with Hankins, Zeke still ran for 110 yards in the Meadowlands. Not spectacular but solid.

Sounds like you're confusing Hankins with Snacks.

 

[TWOK11]

Sounds like you're confusing Hankins with Snacks.

I'm assuming by "Snacks" you mean Damon Harrison. Sorry I'm not up to speed on the cool hipster lingo you Manhattanites are into.

Anyway, yes he is good against the run. However he ranked 21st in the league last year, far lower than Hankins.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

You got so much wrong.

DT - Thomas will start if Bromley can't go. The rookie will get some reps, but on passing downs Wynn or JPP may go to the middle.

Jenkins will be on Dez. Apple had a low ankle sprain a few weeks ago. Should be fine.

LB - you didn't watch Goodson during the pre-season did you?

You won't see Collins on Witten a ton. He's a in the box safety he's there to tackle Zeke as he tries to find a hole after snacks closes it up. Witten isn't that much of a threat. He gets no YAC. The pass rush of the Giants will help limit the Dallas passing game. Vernon had his way with Tryon in both games last year. JPP has upped his game and should trash your RT. JPP &Vernon are also the best run stopping DE duo in the league.

Also Dallas fans are overestimating Hankins. He was a good player but not an impact player.

Giants match-up very well against Dallas.

I was just going by a report from a NY paper: http://www.nydailynews.com/newswire...-starting-role-bromley-hurt-article-1.3449782

But hey, if you want to tell me that your 2nd round DT who was drafted for need is buried on the depth chart that works for me.

I watched Hankins give our interior OL issues. You know the one with 2 All Pros? Of course you are going to bash him now that he is gone but to pretend that he was not an impact player against the run is just delusional on your part. None of Hankins replacements can hold his jock it seems. Thanks for the correction.

As for the LB there are 3 LB and not just 1. Your inability to say anything positive about the other 2 just underscores my point. And banking on preseason performance to indicate regular season performance is delusional. Preseason failure correlates to regular season failure. Preseason success does not correlate to regular season success.

If you want to leave Witten on your LB that works for me. He is still good for near 10 YPC and is a 3rd down just waiting to be converted. As I said ball control and keeping your depthless defense on the field is the key.

You overrating your DE dramatically. Recall what I said about preseason performance and Vernon had his way with Smith to the total of zero sacks. Just off the top of my head the Seahawks, Texans, Chargers, and Dolphins have better run stopping DE.

 

[eyedoc]

This is indeed strength against strength. I don't feel the need to go over the Cowboys depth chart. For what the Giant's bring to bear here is Ourlad's depth chart.

http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/NYG

They are typically pretty accurate but there are a couple of caveats to keep in mind.

First is that Bromley the starting DT and Apple the starting CB just returned to practice Tuesday coming off knee injuries. It will be interesting to see what kind of shape they are in.

If Bromley cannot go then 2nd round pick Thomlinson will start. He may start anyway but from what I have been reading he had not beaten out Bromley before the injury.

With Apple, the Giants have one of the best CB corps in the league. He and Jenkins start with DRC coming in on the nickel. Without him the CB face an issue that is the same across the board with the defense: poor depth.

One possible way to exploit this is single back sets with 4 pass receiving threats on the los. Brice Butler against their dimeback is a good matchup. If you can get the dime guy on someone higher on our depth chart than it is that much better.

The LB corps is not impressive at all. That makes the matchup with the DL critical. If LC and the RG can handle the undertackle, either Bromley or Thomlinson, and JPP then we can put a lot of pressure on the the LB. I like our chances. Last year the combo of Hankins and Harrison everything our interior OL could handle. IF Hankins replacement cannot do as well we will be able to get onto the LB and run the ball.

If we can run the ball and keep the defense on the field then the Giants will be in a pickle. If you look at the defense with the exception of DT, the depth is mostly UDFA and late round draft picks. Even at DT its only 1 deep. This bodes well if we can sustain drives and either wear the starters out or force a rotation.

Landon Collins can wreck a game if he is allowed to freelance. If we can get him in the box and selling out to stop the run then that takes away his ability to buzz routes. It may corral our running game but then we can go over the top.

Notable Matchups:

Zach Martin vs Damon Harrison: two of the best in the league going head to head.

LC vs JPP: This is Collins first test of the season. Penalties are a concern but LC has been improving steadily. If he can set that edge then we have a good chance of running the ball and controlling the game.

Dez vs Giants corners. Dez was contained last year. Dak didn't have a good rapport and he had difficulty getting away from Jenkins. Hopefully Linehan can move him around and get more favorable matchups. I would like to see Dez test Apples injury and see where that is at.

Zeke against Giant's LB. Last season the Cowboys never involved Zeke much in the passing game beyond the screen and dump off game. This season has seen him get more involved with wheel routes hitches and actual routes being run. With Collin's hands full with Witten and Beasley, Zeke will see matchups with Kennard and the Giant's LB. It's a mismatch.

Dak and Giants deep coverage. Last season, the GIants brought Collins down into the box to help stop the run and take away the intermediate routes that were the staple of Dak's game. They all but dared him to go over the top. He struggled mightily only throwing downfield a couple of time and even then he was throwing into coverage. I expect more of the same from Spagnuolo until Dak shows he can beat the scheme.

So that is how I see that side of the ball against the GMen. If we can run the ball then we are going to score points. If not there will be a lot of pressure on Dak and his receivers to get the ball downfield and open things up. There are favorable matchups to be had.

Fuzzy, when will you give your breakdown when our boys are on defense. Cannot wait! Go Cowboys

 

[ScipioCowboy]

@NYNY just got BTFO

 

[gmoney112]

They threw the kitchen sink at Dak in the 2nd matchup, he's going to be more prepared.

I also see Beasley being a key role player, we'll try to isolate him in favorable matchups. If we win, I think he has a big game.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Fuzzy, when will you give your breakdown when our boys are on defense. Cannot wait! Go Cowboys

Next couple days likely. Glad you like, holmes.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Look for Dallas to attack the perimeter with the running game. Having Hanna and Swaim is a big deal in this regard. Olivier is a great run defender, but he can be had when running right at him if Tyron is on his game. JPP is a decent run defender. Collins with chips from Hanna/Swaim should be sufficient to secure the edge. Both NYG DEs are good at chasing plays down from behind, so we can't abandon them even when going the other way.

If the Giants are able to neutralize the running game, Dallas needs to get Zeke involved in the passing game. He can abuse the NYG linebackers and it could work as a defacto running game, anyway.

I wouldn't rule Dez out either. The secondary is good, but not that good. He can still make some plays. Dez and Janoris is a good battle, with each having success at different times throughout their careers.

Spags is a great D-Coordinator, but he's not infallible and that D does have holes. It's a matter of time when Dak finds a comfort level and begins to exploit those deficiencies. I just hope it happens this game.

 

[Screw The Hall]

This is indeed strength against strength. I don't feel the need to go over the Cowboys depth chart. For what the Giant's bring to bear here is Ourlad's depth chart.

http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/NYG

They are typically pretty accurate but there are a couple of caveats to keep in mind.

First is that Bromley the starting DT and Apple the starting CB just returned to practice Tuesday coming off knee injuries. It will be interesting to see what kind of shape they are in.

If Bromley cannot go then 2nd round pick Thomlinson will start. He may start anyway but from what I have been reading he had not beaten out Bromley before the injury.

With Apple, the Giants have one of the best CB corps in the league. He and Jenkins start with DRC coming in on the nickel. Without him the CB face an issue that is the same across the board with the defense: poor depth.

One possible way to exploit this is single back sets with 4 pass receiving threats on the los. Brice Butler against their dimeback is a good matchup. If you can get the dime guy on someone higher on our depth chart than it is that much better.

The LB corps is not impressive at all. That makes the matchup with the DL critical. If LC and the RG can handle the undertackle, either Bromley or Thomlinson, and JPP then we can put a lot of pressure on the the LB. I like our chances. Last year the combo of Hankins and Harrison everything our interior OL could handle. IF Hankins replacement cannot do as well we will be able to get onto the LB and run the ball.

If we can run the ball and keep the defense on the field then the Giants will be in a pickle. If you look at the defense with the exception of DT, the depth is mostly UDFA and late round draft picks. Even at DT its only 1 deep. This bodes well if we can sustain drives and either wear the starters out or force a rotation.

Landon Collins can wreck a game if he is allowed to freelance. If we can get him in the box and selling out to stop the run then that takes away his ability to buzz routes. It may corral our running game but then we can go over the top.

Notable Matchups:

Zach Martin vs Damon Harrison: two of the best in the league going head to head.

LC vs JPP: This is Collins first test of the season. Penalties are a concern but LC has been improving steadily. If he can set that edge then we have a good chance of running the ball and controlling the game.

Dez vs Giants corners. Dez was contained last year. Dak didn't have a good rapport and he had difficulty getting away from Jenkins. Hopefully Linehan can move him around and get more favorable matchups. I would like to see Dez test Apples injury and see where that is at.

Zeke against Giant's LB. Last season the Cowboys never involved Zeke much in the passing game beyond the screen and dump off game. This season has seen him get more involved with wheel routes hitches and actual routes being run. With Collin's hands full with Witten and Beasley, Zeke will see matchups with Kennard and the Giant's LB. It's a mismatch.

Dak and Giants deep coverage. Last season, the GIants brought Collins down into the box to help stop the run and take away the intermediate routes that were the staple of Dak's game. They all but dared him to go over the top. He struggled mightily only throwing downfield a couple of time and even then he was throwing into coverage. I expect more of the same from Spagnuolo until Dak shows he can beat the scheme.

So that is how I see that side of the ball against the GMen. If we can run the ball then we are going to score points. If not there will be a lot of pressure on Dak and his receivers to get the ball downfield and open things up. There are favorable matchups to be had.

Nice write up as usual.

I think the emphasis on getting Zeke more involved in the passing game is aimed directly at the Giants. They want to get him out and space and give him a chance to make a man miss for a big gain or two. If they are successful it could curb the Giant's aggressiveness near the line of scrimmage and give Zeke some room to operate that he didn't enjoy last year.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

you didn't watch Goodson during the pre-season did you?

I did. He wasn't playing Zeke, Witten and Beasley. With Robinson out he's going to have quite the introduction to the league. He'll look like all those other dominant fourth rounders the Giants have picked up. He's in esteemed company with Nassib, Andre Williams, Adrien Robinson, James Brewer and Philip Dillard. None of those guys are even in the league anymore.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I'm assuming by "Snacks" you mean Damon Harrison. Sorry I'm not up to speed on the cool hipster lingo you Manhattanites are into.

Anyway, yes he is good against the run. However he ranked 21st in the league last year, far lower than Hankins.

I keep telling people it was Hankins that was the big force. Now that he is gone that defense will suffer, i noticed Cleveland was moving the ball up the middle on the Giants in preseason. JPP bailed them out