Giants vs. Cowboys: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

NBC's Sunday Night Football opens the 2013 NFL season with a compelling matchup between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. 

The NFC East is always one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, and this year won't be any different. After missing the playoffs in 2012, the Cowboys and Giants would love to put their disappointing seasons behind them with a win on Sunday night in Week 1 of the 2013 season.

Getting off to a good start to open the new season could go a long way toward making this year a successful one for the Giants and Cowboys, but only one team will sample the sweet taste of victory in Week 1.

Dallas is a team in transition, with new offensive and defensive coordinators—Bill Callahan and Monte Kiffin—calling the shots. The team's defense, which has been running a 3-4 scheme for years, will now switch to a 4-3, which could cause some early hiccups. 

The Giants can't seem to stay healthy. In addition to the team's depleted offensive line, New York will play without running back Andre Brown and safety Stevie Brown, as both suffered injuries this preseason. 

Here's what you need to know about this upcoming game between the Giants and Cowboys. 

When: Sunday, Sept. 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Watch: NBC

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Betting Lines (via Covers) 

• Over/Under: 49.5 pts.
• Spread: Dallas (-3)

Giants Injury Report (via NFL.com)

Jason Pierre-Paul	DE	Back	Questionable
Andre Brown	RB	--	--
Adrien Robinson	TE	Foot	Out
Jayron Hosley	CB	Ankle	Probable
David Diehl	T	Thumb	Out
Henry Hynoski	RB	Knee	Questionable
David Baas	C	Knee	Out
Victor Cruz	WR	Heel	Probable
Damontre Moore	DE	Shoulder	Questionable

Cowboys Injury Report (via NFL.com)

Anthony Spencer	DE	Knee	Doubtful
Danny McCray	S	Hamstring	Out
Ronald Leary	G	Knee	Probable
Ben Bass	DE	Shoulder	Out
Lance Dunbar	RB	Foot	Out

Can Dallas Establish a Running Game?

Tony Romo can only do so much without a running game. The Cowboys struggled to run the ball last season, which was a big reason the team missed the playoffs. 

Callahan is calling plays for the Cowboys this year, and he's made it clear he expects his offense to run the ball more effectively and more often than it did a year ago, as noted by Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. 

DeMarco Murray is healthy and eager to return to the form we saw from him as a rookie in 2011 when he burst onto the scene in the second half of that season. 

"I don’t remember much about last year,” Murray said, via Archer. “I’m just focused on this year and trying to get things done this year.” 

If Murray can get going on the ground, then Romo and his receivers will have more success through the air. Judging by his performance this preseason, the jury's still out on whether or not Murray will be able to provide balance, however. 

Prediction

The Giants will look to get running back David Wilson going early in order to alleviate pressure on Eli Manning, who is once again playing behind a suspect offensive line this year. 

Once Dallas' defense gets softened up a bit, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks should be open downfield for some big plays. 

As much as the Cowboys want to run the ball effectively, it's hard to imagine Murray will make much headway against New York's vaunted defensive line and underrated linebacking corps. 

Turnovers will inevitably determine the winner of this game, and I'm counting on the Giants to do a better job in this department on Sunday night. It's going to be close, but the Cowboys will lose a tough one at home. 

Final Score 

Giants win, 31-30

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