Cowboys vs Giants: Predicting the Top Fantasy Performers from Week 1 Clash

There isn't a better fantasy matchup to open the NFL season than the Wednesday night game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. 

While I wouldn't bother using either defense or the tight ends in this one—even if Jason Witten does end up playing, I'm guessing he'll be limited—there are eight solid fantasy options from this matchup. And since this is fantasy football, you know what's coming next:

Let's rank them!

8. MIles Austin, Dallas Cowboys

He missed the entire preseason. I can't help but think he'll be a little rusty in Week 1. Yes, I think you can play him in the flex if you're options are limited—the Giants secondary isn't very good, even if they did play better in the postseason last year—but I would rather own Dez Bryant, at least this week.

7. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

The Cowboys were pretty good against the run in fantasy terms last season, finishing ninth in the NFL with an average of 16.1 fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs per week. Bradshaw has limited upside in this matchup.

On the other hand, if the Cowboys are too worried about stopping Eli Manning in the passing game, Bradshaw could do some damage on the ground. I would temper your expectations if you start him, but I think he's a fine flex or RB2 in deeper leagues this week.

6. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

To refresh, Austin is coming off of hamstring woes, and Witten shouldn't play in this game (and likely won't be a huge factor even if he does).

In other words, the wide receiver you want from the Cowboys in Week 1 is definitely Bryant. If anyone will carve up this Giants secondary, I expect it to be him.

5. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

Why is Nicks lower than Victor Cruz on this list? It comes down to one simple reason:

Cruz does his best work in the slot. Nicks will probably see plenty of time across from Dallas' top corner on the outside, Brandon Carr. And for that very small reason, I think Cruz will have the bigger week.

Of course, if the Cowboys decide to focus more on shutting down Cruz, Nicks will be tough too handle. He caught 13 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown last season against the 'Boys, after all.

4. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

I'm a bit tentative to have Murray this high since I think this game could quickly evolve (or devolve, depending on what year you saw your first football game) into a quarterback shootout. Then again, if I were the Cowboys, I would want to keep the ball away from Eli Manning as much as possible and take some of the bite away from the Giants pass-rush.

The best way to do that is to establish the running game early.

Hence, I expect to see a healthy workload for Murray and some very positive results. Plus, he's also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. Given New York's dangerous pass-rush, Murray could end up being Romo's best friend on dump-off passes and screens as well.

3. Victor Cruz, New York Giants

After last year, Cruz probably shouldn't go anywhere near Texas unless he's playing a football game. He absolutely destroyed the Cowboys last season in Week 17, catching six passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, helping to keep Dallas out of the playoffs.

And before you go saying that everyone knows about Cruz now and he won't take the Cowboys by surprise, they should have been plenty aware of him by Week 17 of last year as well. Other than perhaps Murray, Cruz is the most dangerous big-play threat in this game.

2. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

You're probably already aware of this, but the New York Giants weren't very good against the pass last season. They were ranked 29th in pass defense and were 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, giving up an average of 17.2 per game.

So while it's harder to know which Cowboys' receiver will have a big game, I feel fairly confident that Romo will do work against the Giants. Remember, last year he threw for 610 yards, six touchdowns and just one touchdown against New York.

Sure, he lost both games, but who cares? This is fantasy!

1. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Manning absolutely torched the Cowboys last season. In two games against Dallas, Manning threw for 746 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception. Fantasy owners were quite pleased with those performances.

Yes, I know that the Cowboys signed Brandon Carr and drafted Morris Claiborne to improve the secondary, but I don't care. He's 5-1 against the Cowboys in the past three years and has only thrown for less than 300 yards in one of those contests. Dallas seems to bring out his best.

I'm predicting a huge opener for Eli. And a whole lot of happy fantasy owners.

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