3 New York Jets That Will Be Game-Changers Against the Dallas Cowboys

The wait is almost over as the New York Jets will face off against the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow night on Sunday Night Football.

There have been a number of storylines this offseason surrounding the Jets, including the signing of Plaxico Burress and the controversial release of Jerricho Cotchery, Braylon Edwards and Shaun Ellis. Despite constantly being in the news during training camp, the Jets managed to finish the preseason 2-2.

The Jets are currently a five-point favorite against the Cowboys, but many expect this game to be closer then that. The following are the three players that will be game-changers against Dallas tomorrow night, and possibly help the Jets start the season 1-0.

1. Shonn Greene

Last season, the Dallas Cowboys defense gave up an average of 108.4 yards per game on the ground, which ranked 12th in the NFL. Runners picked up about 4.3 yards per carry against the Cowboys, and they only gave up 11 touchdowns to opposing teams on the ground.

The Jets ranked fourth in the NFL last season in rushing, averaging 148.4 yards per game and 4.4 per carry. They are returning most of their offensive line, minus Damian Woody, and Shonn Greene will be entering his third season with the offense.

Rob Ryan will be in his first season as the Cowboys defensive coordinator, but the lockout prevented him from working with his squad for an extended period. The lack of work with the first team defense, in combination with the talented Jets offense, has the advantage pointing to New York, and if Greene can get the ground game moving early, the Jets will be able to take this game easily.

2. Plaxico Burress

All eyes will be focused on the matchup between Jets WR Santonio Holmes and Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick. Holmes, the Jets' No. 1 receiver, will match up against the Cowboys' third corner due to an injury to Terence Newman, who will be sitting out this game.

But what fans should focus on is Plaxico Burress, who will be playing his first game since going to prison two years ago. Burress, who has battled injuries all through the preseason, is listed as probable for tomorrow's game and is expected to play extended time.

The Cowboys' defense allowed 243.4 passing yards last season, ranking them 26th in the league and third worst in the NFC. As stated with Shonn Greene, Rob Ryan has a lot of work to do to fix his defense, but the injury bug has kept him from working with his cornerbacks.

With Newman out and Scandrick covering his position, the pressure will be on starter Mike Jenkins to cover the 6'5" Burress. However, Jenkins is listed as questionable on the Cowboys' injury report with both a neck and knee injury, and his status hasn't changed today. If both Newman and Jenkins can't go, the Cowboys will start Scandrick and Alan Ball, who played mostly safety last season.

Burress is ready to get back on the field and prove his haters wrong, and combined with the lack of depth in Dallas at corner, Plaxico has a chance to make a difference tomorrow night.

3. Calvin Pace

Jets LB Calvin Pace missed the first four weeks of last season with a foot injury he suffered in the preseason, and the same injury bothered him the rest of the 2010 campaign.

Pace was ultimately limited most of last season, finishing the year with only 5.5 sacks. However, he had at least one sack in all three playoff games last year and began to show his old form before losing to the Steelers in the AFC Championship.

Rotoworld reported earlier in August that Pace was only 20 percent healthy at the end of last season, and that Ryan was playing him injured through the entire year. This year, Pace comes into the season 100 percent and ready to step up for the Jets' defense. Pace has averaged about seven sacks per year the past five years, and many project him to have at least nine or 10 this season.

The Cowboys have listed two offensive-line starters, center Phil Costa and tackle Tyron Smith, as questionable for the game, and both were limited in practice today. Dallas will also be starting rookie Bill Nagy at left guard, giving the Cowboys some serious problems against the Jets' top defense.

Pace should be able to have a field day against the Cowboys' inexperienced line, and if he can break free for a couple sacks, expect Pace to make QB Tony Romo's day a little less successful.