Define "fair."
I made this point yesterday, when a few Zoners were celebrating the potential of OBJ missing game 1 against us. Some even suggested it would even the playing field if both Zeke and OBJ missed time. I don't think so. I think even with Zeke missing the game, the Cowboys still have an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent as compared to the Giants.
I remember thinking last year of the second game that the Cowboys got coach-whipped, not talent whipped. And, in particular, the Giants DC Spags had Linehan's number. Our defense in both games did their job. So, in my opinion, it's not about stopping the Giants offense, but scoring on that Giants defense.
Now, you might say, that's why we need Zeke. But a part of me wonders if not having Zeke might help a little...perhaps even more than it hurts. If Zeke is there, the Cowboys offense will approach the game against the Giants with a business-as-usual mantra. If they have to make it work without Zeke, they will be forced to get creative...which is something they should be doing against the Giants anyway.
If this coaching staff has a weakness, I think it might be a case of over-belief in the effectiveness of their system and the unwillingness to make adjustments at times when they are absolutely needed. I say "at times" because they have clearly demonstrated the ability to make quick adjustments in-game. But usually those adjustments are often forced by circumstances beyond their control, such as playing Dak last year in lieu of Romo and Moore.
I have often wondered if we would have ever get to know the real Dak had those injuries to Kellen and Romo not happened. Obviously we wouldn't had Romo not been hurt. But it really hurts my soul to think that had Kellen not been injured, he would have been the starter in Romo's absence. Just thinking about it makes me sick to me stomach.