New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: Full Dallas Game Preview

The 2015 NFL season is upon us. The training-camp practices, preseason games and roster cuts are in the rearview mirror, and it is time to play games that count. The Dallas Cowboys' pursuit of a sixth Lombardi Trophy will begin Sunday at 7:30 p.m. CT at Cowboys Stadium as they match up with their NFC East rival, the New York Giants.

With expectations as high as any Cowboys season in recent memory, the team will look to get off to a hot start against a Giants team that is coming off of a disappointing 2014 season and an ominous 2015 offseason. After investing the ninth overall pick in the draft on offensive lineman Ereck Flowers from the University of Miami, the Giants lost starting left tackle Will Beatty for the season to a torn pectoral muscle, which will force Flowers immediately into the premier offensive line position.

In addition to the issues along the offensive line, premiere pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul suffered a Fourth of July fireworks incident that cost him his right index finger and has yet to be cleared medically. Victor Cruz was able to come back from the knee injury he suffered last season, but he suffered a calf injury in training camp and did not participate in practice on Wednesday, which casts doubts on his availability for Sunday’s game.

This game presents an opportunity for the Cowboys to take a stance at the top of their division, to prove that the 12-4 finish in 2014 was far from a fluke and to start 2015 on the right foot.

News and Notes

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

The Committee of Running Backs

One of the biggest storylines of the offseason surrounding the Cowboys was the running back position. After DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing by a wide margin in 2014, the Cowboys decided not to retain him at the salary he was seeking. This decision left Cowboys fans and media alike wondering whether the team could replicate its success on offense without a proven lead running back. 

The 2014 backup, Joseph Randle, and oft-injured veteran Darren McFadden have both gotten significant repetitions with the first-team offense, as has change-of-pace running back Lance Dunbar. In addition to those three, Dallas added Christine Michael, the supremely talented yet inconsistent backup running back from the Seattle Seahawks, in a trade the day after the cut-down deadline.

Sunday’s game against the Giants will present the first time the Cowboys have any incentive to reveal their true preferences in the backfield—although, according to head coach Jason Garrett, “it doesn’t matter” who the starter is.

More Offensive Line Depth

The Cowboys starting offensive line is regarded by many to be one of the best groups in the NFL, if not the very best. However, with the departure of Jermy Parnell to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason, questions arose regarding the quality of the backup offensive tackles.

Darrion Weems got lots of work in the preseason and improved in that time, according to Jason Garrett via Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram. But when the opportunity arose to claim a third-year player who has started 29 of 32 career games, the Cowboys took advantage. Over the weekend the team claimed former Chicago Bear Jordan Mills, who started all but three games his first two seasons at right tackle.

“Romo Wednesday” Carries into 2015

In 2014, quarterback Tony Romo routinely took Wednesdays off in an attempt to maintain the health in his back and limit the amount of stress placed on his arm. The last month of 2014 was his best month of the season as he looked fresh. It appears this tradition will continue in 2015, as Romo did not participate in practice on Wednesday.

This year the emphasis is less on the health of his (twice) surgically repaired back and more on making sure he is as fresh as possible for game day.

"

Romo on if plan is to take off every Wed: It’ll be fluid. We’ll continue to look at it and see, but as of now, this is what we’re doing.

— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) September 9, 2015"

100 Facts and Figures for Cowboys/Giants

Cowboys HQ’s Mark Lane shares his weekly rundown of 100 interesting informational tidbits covering every angle of the Cowboys' rivalry with the Giants.

Latest Injury News

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Player	Position	Injury	Wednesday Practice
Dez Bryant	WR	Hamstring	Full Participant
James Hanna	TE	Knee	Limited Participant
Anthony Hitchens	LB	Foot	Limited Participant
Zack Martin	G	Neck	Full Participant
Danny McCray	DB	Neck	Full Participant
Tony Romo	QB	Back	Did Not Practice
Devin Street	WR	Ankle	Limited Participant
JJ Wilcox	FS	Shoulder	Limited Participant
Brandon Weeden	QB	Concussion	Full Participant

While there are a number of names on the Cowboys injury report for Wednesday's practice, four of the nine players were able to participate fully, which typically points their being available for game day. A fifth name, Tony Romo, was the only player who missed practice entirely, and that was more of a scheduled day off than a reaction to an injury.  

Based on past trends for the Cowboys, the four who were limited—Hanna, Hitchens, Street and Wilcox—will likely see their workload increase throughout the week and prepare to play Sunday after receiving some time off toward the end of camp.

Note: All injury information courtesy of DallasCowboys.com.

X-Factor and Matchups to Watch

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys Secondary vs. Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham’s coming-out party in his rookie year took place on a similar national television stage against the Cowboys as the one on which this game will be played. His spectacular one-handed touchdown catch over Brandon Carr sent the message to the rest of the league just how talented the LSU product was. 

Orlando Scandrick was able to do an admirable job covering Beckham in the second half of that game, but as we know, he will not be available for this or any Cowboys games in 2015.

If the Cowboys defensive backs are able to corral Beckham, they will give the talented guys on the defensive line a chance to make quarterback Eli Manning’s night a long one.

Randy Gregory vs. Ereck Flowers

Rookie defensive end Randy Gregory will not be asked to start the game or play in running situations often early in the year, which should leave him fresh for more pure pass-rush situations. He was successful in the preseason as a rusher with three sacks, and he gets the chance to match up with a fellow rookie to ease his transition into the NFL. 

In their last year of college, these two faced off, with Flowers having probably his best game as a senior. If Gregory can reverse those fortunes in his first NFL contest, the Cowboys will have a great chance to limit the Giants’ offensive success on third downs.

Cowboys X-Factor of the Week: Sean Lee

"

How dynamic a player is Sean Lee? Has led all NFL linebackers in interceptions (11) since 2010...and has started just 32 games! #Cowboys

— Babe Laufenberg (@BabeLaufenberg) September 9, 2015"

"

Sean Lee averages an interception every 4.29 games. Highest rate in NFL history among LB's with at least 10 INT's. https://t.co/BF7INKYmXW

— Jordan Ross (@TheJordanRoss) September 9, 2015"

The Cowboys were able to finish second in the league in takeaways last year without Sean Lee, which played a major role in their improvement from 2013 to 2014. With past production like these numbers from Lee, he is sure to be a catalyst in their attempt to regain their prominence in this area in 2015. 

With the Giants facing some issues on the offensive line and the Cowboys' infusion of talent on the defensive line, it is likely that Manning will focus largely on quick, short passes. This is where Lee at his new “Will” linebacker position will have the opportunity to pounce and make one of the game-changing plays that he has been so adept at making throughout his career.

Prediction

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys are catching the Giants at an opportune time, facing an offense that is missing its second-best weapon (Cruz), with a rookie at left tackle (Flowers) and a defense missing its best pass-rusher (Pierre-Paul). 

This hungry Cowboys team will not take this opportunity for granted. Dez Bryant will get his first game action of 2015 and will demand plenty of defensive attention, which should open up the running game, as well as opportunities in the passing game for Terrance Williams, Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar and Cole Beasley.

If the offensive line can hold up in the face of the pressures that Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will dial up, the Cowboys should score plenty of points.

If the Cowboys are able to get out to a lead, or the defense is able to put the clamps on Rashad Jennings and the Giants' running game, they should have chances to unleash their talented defensive linemen and rack up some sacks and takeaways.

If Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr and the rest of the Cowboys secondary can keep Odell Beckham Jr. from making too many game-changing plays, they should limit the Giants' ability to score offensively. As a result, the Cowboys should come away with the win.

Prediction: Cowboys 31, Giants 17