The first week of the NFL season has been very exciting and following the blowout of the championship Ravens by the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning, Week 1 has come and gone with some great matchups, including the Patriots and Jets winning at the last minute as well as nice victories for the Dolphins, Lions and New Orleans Saints and now the New York Giants will visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night for the first one of the year.
Fantasy football owners have been waiting for the game to arrive especially if they are behind in matchups and some players that could factor in big time on Sunday night include Eli Manning, David Wilson, Victor Cruz, Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Miles Austin, DeMarco Murray, Hakeem Nicks as well as Brandon Myers and Rueben Randle. Eli Manning is undefeated in Jerry's World down in Dallas and with very high expectations in Texas this season, it could be a chance for the Giants to come in and steal one.
The games between the Cowboys and the Giants usually are high scoring and it should be more of the same on Sunday night and after putting up big numbers last season, expect more of the same from Tony Romo and Dez Bryant and that could extend to Jason Witten as well. Bryant has been hot against the Giants over a recent stretch, putting up video game numbers with over 470 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the last six games against the team and last season he was one of the best receivers in fantasy football and is expecting to do so again.
The Giants secondary is a bit weak with injuries and the prime corner to watch is Prince Amukamara, as he had a very good preseason and is looked at as the most consistent corner for the Giants now. The biggest issue on the Giants side is whether Victor Cruz is healthy, as he is dealing with a bruised heel for the preseason. All reports have him looking fine for Sunday night and the Giants and fantasy owners are hoping he is fully healthy, as New York really wants this one after the Cowboys defeated them to open the season last year. The G-Men will also rely on Hakeem Nicks and Rueben Randle and Brandon Myers also could get in on the action.
Cruz had nearly 20 targets from Manning last season against the Cowboys and it remains to be seen whether the Dallas D will improve after firing Rob Ryan from last season and bringing in Monte Kiffin and that will reflect on Jason Garrett as head coach as well. Cruz has some good matchups on Sunday night if he is healthy and after putting up 1,000 yards the last two seasons he will be looking for a quick start.
Romo should put up some nice numbers after throwing for nearly 5,000 last season and he could spread the ball around to Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Bryant and the running game should be solid with DeMarco Murray and Joseph Randle. The last time the Giants played in Dallas, Romo ended up with over 400 passing yards, but of course the Cowboys lost the game.
People underestimate Manning even after he won two Super Bowls and while he isn't always the most consistent quarterback in the league, he usually puts up very good numbers and he nearly threw for 5,000 yards a couple seasons ago. The Giants will try to run the ball with David Wilson after losing Andre Brown to an injury and after being inconsistent last season they are looking to get more productive in the running game.