From a Dallas Perspective 10 Big Storylines For this Game

[Ed Vette]

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/big-picture-10-big-storylines-for-giants-cowboys-2023

1. Giant step again? – The Giants made big waves around the league last year under Brian Dabbol as not only a tough, gritty team that can compete, but they took it a few steps further by advancing to the playoffs and winning a road game in Minnesota, before losing to the Eagles in the Divisional round. So what's next for the Giants? Do they continue to build or falter under the now enhanced expectations? We're all about to find out but the Giants have made some key additions in the offseason to ensure they stay in the upward direction... more>

[Ed Vette]

Ten Big X Factors:

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/x-factors-10-elite-difference-makers-for-nyg-dal

X – Daniel Jones – If he's going to take the step onto the next level as one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, a win over the Cowboys Sunday night would certainly help his cause. Last year, winning a road playoff game was big for Jones and the entire organization but he hasn't had great success against the Cowboys. One thing that could help him turn it around is his ability to run out of the pocket.

IX – Saquon Barkley – The explosive running backs had a big touchdown run in the third quarter of last year's game against the Cowboys in Week 3. That type of play is one that shows his dynamic playmaking skills, coupled with his ability to be dangerous in space.

VIII – Darren Waller – This will be just the third time Waller has faced the Cowboys in his career, and first with the Giants since he coming over from the Raiders. Waller has the ability to stretch the field vertically, evident by his five TDs of 20+ yards.

VII – Evan Neal – The No. 7 overall pick of the Giants in 2022 had some bumps in the road at times last year as a rookie, but we're going to find out really quick how much progress he's made in Year 2. While Micah Parsons will rush from all over the field, he'll face the right tackle quite a bit and that's where Neal should be as well.

VI - Jake Ferguson - Expect Ferguson to take the lead role in the TEs room for the Cowboys, but with rookie second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker in the mix (along with Peyton Hendershot), he's got plenty of motivation to fly out of the gates in Week 1. It'll be difficult for the Giants to commit any real help to Ferguson with Lamb, Cooks and Gallup on the move, and Cowboys' tight ends have been known to break open games at MetLife Stadium.

V - Tony Pollard - He's been a starter at times for the Cowboys, when Ezekiel Elliott was absent due to injury, but this year is an entirely different story for Pollard. With Elliott gone, Pollard is the lead man for the first time in his NFL career (and in his football career, on the whole) and he's motivated to prove he can be one of the best RB1 talents in the league ... and that he can command a higher price on a multi-year deal.

IV – Cowboys LG1 - Tyler Smith is the starting left guard for the Cowboys, and that should make the team feel fantastic about the starting five on the offensive line. The problem is Smith is dealing with a hamstring strain that has cost him more than one practice going into Week 1, and his status for the game is yet to be decided (though there is at least some optimism). This means there's a possibility the myriad of questions regarding the OL depth might take center stage — early.

III - Brandin Cooks - Speaking of Cooks, this season is as much about potentially helping the Cowboys overcome their Super Bowl drought as it is at having the chance to make NFL history. If Cooks racks up 1,000 yards this season, it will mark the most ever by a player who will have hit that mark with five different teams. For his first act, he'll go up against a young secondary in New York, one he might take full advantage of — potentially helping CeeDee Lamb detonate in the process.

II – Micah Parsons – Speaking of Micah, he's been unblockable in practice during training camp. And that could be a tribute to the Cowboys' lack of depth at tackle, but it seems more likely that Parsons is ready to take his game to an even greater level in his third year. Playing at the Giants, where Lawrence Taylor was arguably one of the greatest defensive players ever, Parsons has a chance to prove if these comparisons are legitimate.

I - Dak Prescott - He's heard it all season: 15 interceptions. That's how many Prescott threw in 2022, with mixed accountability, marking a career-high in the category. Will the fire to prove his doubters wrong, along with the addition of Brandin Cooks and Deuce Vaughn, push him to a stellar start to open this season in New York? All signs point to yes, and the Cowboys are anxiously awaiting the show.

[DaveBrown74]

All good stuff.

If I had to boil this game down to a single aspect, it will be line play on both sides of the ball. I know Evan Neal has a tough assignment in this game, but he needs to step up in a big way this year. If he is a disaster in this game, I'm going to be disappointed and will not be in the camp of people who try to give him a pass because it was a tough opposing pass rush. This guy was taken 7th overall and is in his second year and is making good money already. The time is now. I don't expect him to give up zero pressures but he can't look like last year in this game.

On the other side of the ball, our pass rush needs to have a big night. The Cowboy line is aging and not what it used to be. If we don't get consistent pressure on Dak, we are going to have a tough time winning this game. Between Pollard, Lamb, Cooks, and some others they have plenty of weapons who can get open if Dak is protected. We can't let that happen.

So to me both of those things are key. Whoever does the best on those two aspects (in aggregate) is likely to win this game IMO.

[MightyGiants]

Thank, @Ed Vette

Great idea providing a view of the upcoming game from the Cowboy's perspective

[Ed Vette]

Thank, @Ed Vette

Great idea providing a view of the upcoming game from the Cowboy's perspective

They pretty much nailed it unbiased.