Matchups with Giants

[Bizwah]

Overall, I think we're more talented than the Giants....at nearly every position. But that doesn't always tell the story. The game is about matchups.

Cowboys run offense vs Giants run defense:
This is kind of a tough call. We haven't seen much of our OL this PS. Our OL were pathetic against the Texans, but looked good vs the Broncos. The Giants had a terrible outing vs the Panthers, but seemed to right the ship vs the Ravens. If our OL gets it together, I think we can overpower the Giants front four. The Giant LBs are quite large (265/240/253), but I think we can keep them off balance. I think the Giants will take a page from the Eagles' book and constantly blitz.....This is a matchup we must win, but I think it will be tough.
Edge: Dallas

Cowboys Passing vs Giants Pass Defense:
It all comes down to pressure. So far, Romo has had a pretty clean jersey (Texan game the only tough one), but teams haven't sent an inordinate number of blitzes. We know the Giants will send the kitchen sink from every conceivable angle. If we can give Romo any amount of time, then I think he'll torch the ailing Giant secondary (minus two starters). If Romo can burn them early, then the Giants will be forced to play coverage, and we'll pick them apart. I also think Romo's ability to buy time will be huge. Our top four receivers have a huge edge vs the Giants' secondary. Even though I have doubts about our OL, I just think TO, Glenn, and Witten are too much for the Giants.
Edge: Dallas

Dallas Run Defense vs Giants Run Offense:
I have serious doubts about the 3/4 as a run-stopping defense. I think Fergie and Spencer are key. Fergie will hold his own. But Spencer has had some trouble adjusting. He'll be fooled at times, and will hold his own at times. Spears and Canty do a decent job of holding their own. I'm not sold on Jacobs just yet. We have to be physical with him. Hamlin and Williams will be key here. If Williams can stay near the line (and not have to worry too much about Shockey), then we have the advantage.
Edge: Dallas

Dallas Pass Defense vs Giants Passing Game:
This is where the game rests. I think if Newman were completely healthy, then we take this game....maybe decidedly. But an ailing Newman will be hard-pressed to take on the Giants' receiving corps. I don't believe for one minute that Burress is injured. The nickel is where I'm most nervous. Burress, Toomer, and Smith against a hurt Newman, Henry, and Reeves. Add to that Jeremy Shockey. Not pretty....for us. We MUST pressure Eli Manning. Now, we haven't seen the blitzes for which WP is known for, but what I have seen in the PS has been ok. I haven't been too impressed with our pass rush. Canty and Spears haven't looked any different. Spencer hasn't shown that he can take pressure off of Ware. The one saving grace is that Barber is no longer there to kill us on screens. Until our guys prove otherwise though......
Edge: Giants

Special teams:
Well, our punter is Super Bowl caliber (can you have a SB caliber punter?), but our coverage teams stink. Ross or McQuarters have both got to be excited watching the Texans' tape. I think we have the edge, believe it or not, at kicker.
Edge: Push

There you have it.....I think we matchup well against the Giants, but so much rides on our OL gelling and Newman being healthy. I can't say that I have full confidence on us executing and exploiting those matchups. We haven't played the Giants well in years....nor have been good in openers.

I still think we drop our opener.
Giants 27
Cowboys 20

So much for looking at this scientifically. My gut is just too strong on this one.

 

[TunaFan33]

Overall, I think we're more talented than the Giants....at nearly every position. But that doesn't always tell the story. The game is about matchups.

Cowboys run offense vs Giants run defense:
This is kind of a tough call. We haven't seen much of our OL this PS. Our OL were pathetic against the Texans, but looked good vs the Broncos. The Giants had a terrible outing vs the Panthers, but seemed to right the ship vs the Ravens. If our OL gets it together, I think we can overpower the Giants front four. The Giant LBs are quite large (265/240/253), but I think we can keep them off balance. I think the Giants will take a page from the Eagles' book and constantly blitz.....This is a matchup we must win, but I think it will be tough.
Edge: Dallas

Cowboys Passing vs Giants Pass Defense:
It all comes down to pressure. So far, Romo has had a pretty clean jersey (Texan game the only tough one), but teams haven't sent an inordinate number of blitzes. We know the Giants will send the kitchen sink from every conceivable angle. If we can give Romo any amount of time, then I think he'll torch the ailing Giant secondary (minus two starters). If Romo can burn them early, then the Giants will be forced to play coverage, and we'll pick them apart. I also think Romo's ability to buy time will be huge. Our top four receivers have a huge edge vs the Giants' secondary. Even though I have doubts about our OL, I just think TO, Glenn, and Witten are too much for the Giants.
Edge: Dallas

Dallas Run Defense vs Giants Run Offense:
I have serious doubts about the 3/4 as a run-stopping defense. I think Fergie and Spencer are key. Fergie will hold his own. But Spencer has had some trouble adjusting. He'll be fooled at times, and will hold his own at times. Spears and Canty do a decent job of holding their own. I'm not sold on Jacobs just yet. We have to be physical with him. Hamlin and Williams will be key here. If Williams can stay near the line (and not have to worry too much about Shockey), then we have the advantage.
Edge: Dallas

Dallas Pass Defense vs Giants Passing Game:
This is where the game rests. I think if Newman were completely healthy, then we take this game....maybe decidedly. But an ailing Newman will be hard-pressed to take on the Giants' receiving corps. I don't believe for one minute that Burress is injured. The nickel is where I'm most nervous. Burress, Toomer, and Smith against a hurt Newman, Henry, and Reeves. Add to that Jeremy Shockey. Not pretty....for us. We MUST pressure Eli Manning. Now, we haven't seen the blitzes for which WP is known for, but what I have seen in the PS has been ok. I haven't been too impressed with our pass rush. Canty and Spears haven't looked any different. Spencer hasn't shown that he can take pressure off of Ware. The one saving grace is that Barber is no longer there to kill us on screens. Until our guys prove otherwise though......
Edge: Giants

Special teams:
Well, our punter is Super Bowl caliber (can you have a SB caliber punter?), but our coverage teams stink. Ross or McQuarters have both got to be excited watching the Texans' tape. I think we have the edge, believe it or not, at kicker.
Edge: Push

There you have it.....I think we matchup well against the Giants, but so much rides on our OL gelling and Newman being healthy. I can't say that I have full confidence on us executing and exploiting those matchups. We haven't played the Giants well in years....nor have been good in openers.

I still think we drop our opener.
Giants 27
Cowboys 20

So much for looking at this scientifically. My gut is just too strong on this one.

Without a doubt-our OL will be the key. Is it really improved? Or will it pick up from where it left off last year?

And as for injuries...

Overall-it's either put up or shut up for us. We have a new coach, a new (fresh)attitude, and new schemes. Regardless, if we lose, will it be the end of the world? No. However-MMQ in the DFW sports media is going to have a field day with alot of Q marks(i.e. what if Julius still looks like a robot? What if Romo looks flat? What if we still can't get a pass rush? No more excuses).

 

[JerryFan]

I was just reading in another thread that the Giants starting CB Sam Madison is going to be out also this week. Just like the above poster said it's going to come down to who's O-line brings it. I'm obviously bias, but I'd take our line of theirs every Sunday. Has anybody heard how their line is doing? I know it was a point of big concern for them in the off-season and they didn't really address it.

I think the good guys take this one. Dallas wins
35-17

 

[Avery]

Our secondary just scares me right now.

 

[TunaFan33]

I was just reading in another thread that the Giants starting CB Sam Madison is going to be out also this week. Just like the above poster said it's going to come down to who's O-line brings it. I'm obviously bias, but I'd take our line of theirs every Sunday. Has anybody heard how their line is doing? I know it was a point of big concern for them in the off-season and they didn't really address it.

I think the good guys take this one. Dallas wins
35-17

To their credit, they have nice depth on the Oline. Whenever I watch a Giants game, they would talk about how they prepare ahead of time of getting these guys in the game due to injury, etc, which is why they continue to maintain their effectiveness.

To me, they'll be OK.

It's our's that I worry about-Is Flo getting past his prime? Is Kosier really who he is, a Lions reject? Did that head-stomping incident earn Gurode too many points than nec? Is L. Davis' pass blocking skills good enough? Will Columbo repeat his excellent year from last year? And will we be able to blitz block OK, which was something sorely missing over the Tuna years?

 

[BourbonBalz]

They still don't have a starting LT.