2011 NFL Week 1 Predictions: 5 Bold Sunday Night Predictions

Tonight, the New York Jets take on the Dallas Cowboys in their Week 1 regular season opener.

Both teams have high expectations heading into 2011, with the Cowboys reprising their role as the little team that could (but hasn't), and the Jets trying to reach their third consecutive AFC Championship game (and hopefully win it this time).

The Jets have one of the best overall defenses in the league, but they still need to improve on offensive in both the air and on the ground.

The Cowboys have been struggling on defense but have gotten both their passing and their running game together this season.

In the following slides, we will highlight five things to watch for in tonight's game.

Jets WR Plaxico Burress Will Be a Non-Factor

When the Jets signed former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, many believed it to be a coup. It sounded like the perfect situation—a tall, speedy, straight-line wide receiver to complement proven starter Santonio Holmes and to provide quarterback Mark Sanchez with another high-level weapon.

However, Burress has been spotty in his preseason appearances for the team, and he hasn't been terribly impressive in training camp.

After a Week 2 preseason performance that saw Burress catch three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, he had no grabs in Week 3.

Tonight, look for Plaxico to see few passes from Sanchez, who is still struggling with the deep pass. Burress will more likely serve as a distraction for the Dallas secondary to keep extra pressure off of the go-to receiver, Holmes.

It is hard to say what kind of impact Burress will have on the Jets' offense this coming season, but it already looks like it will be negligible.

Dez Bryant, Not Miles Austin, Will Emerge as Cowboys' Main Passing Threat

Last season, the Dallas Cowboys' premier receiver was Miles Austin. Now that they have lost dropped ball machine Roy Williams, it looks to be Dez Bryant's time to emerge as the main offensive threat for the Cowboys in the passing game.

In tonight's matchup, it appears that Austin will be saddled with coverage from corner Darrelle Revis, while Bryant will be paired up with Antonio Cromartie.

Neither corner is a walk in the park, certainly, and it's also probable that said coverage will shift as the situation warrants it.

However, in terms of impact, look for Bryant to have a better game and more looks than Austin tonight. Bryant has the hands, speed and height—three things quarterback Tony Romo needs in a receiver to have a successful game, and a successful season.

RB Shonn Greene Is the Crown Jewel of Jets Running Game

Last season, Jets running back Shonn Greene was the No. 2 back behind veteran Ladanian Tomlinson, and while he participated in 15 of 16 games, he was named starter in just two of the contests.

This year, look for Greene to have a greater impact in the Jets' running game. The Jets, while known for amazing aerial performances between quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes, are not a passing team by nature.

Look for the Jets to return to their running roots this season, starting with tonight's season-opening game against the Dallas Cowboys, and look for Greene to get most of those rushing yards.

While Tomlinson will still see significant action for the Jets, primarily in shorter-yardage and goal-line situations, he is firmly the No. 2 running back on the roster.

It will be on Greene's shoulders tonight to loosen up the Cowboys defense and gain significant yardage for the Jets.

Expect Significant Pressure on Jets QB Mark Sanchez

Dallas Cowboys new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is inheriting a defense that was 31st in points allowed and 23rd in yards allowed in 2010.

This year, things look to be different.

Ryan, most recently with the Cleveland Browns, was able to turn around the Browns defense in his two seasons, and he's looking to do the same with the Cowboys.

His primary concern for tonight's contest against the New York Jets will be to put heavy pressure on quarterback Mark Sanchez, and it should prove to be a successful maneuver.

The Jets' offensive line took a huge hit this offseason, losing tackle Damien Woodey to retirement and replacing him with the significant downgrade, Wayne Hunter.

The Dallas linebackers, led by DeMarcus Ware, are likely going to target the weakened Jets offensive line, and the pressure on Sanchez is likely to come both early and often.

The Dallas Cowboys Will Struggle to Run the Ball

The New York Jets have a vaunted defense and for good reason. In 2010, they were ranked sixth in the league in points allowed allowed the third-fewest yards in the NFL.

Look for this to continue tonight against the Dallas Cowboys, who have a depleted complement of running backs this year after losing bruiser Marion Barber to the Chicago Bears in the offseason.

Aside from Felix Jones, the Dallas running back corps have yet to have a playmaker emerge that can fill the void left by Barber.

But even that won't matter much. Regardless of the back getting handed the ball tonight, the Jets defense won't let them get very far with it.

If the Cowboys want to put up points and yards, it will have to be via the passing game. The running game just won't be there tonight.