One of the biggest rivalry games of the week kicks off in Dallas when the New York Giants come to the home of the Cowboys, AT&T stadium.
The Giants are coming into this game with a patchwork offensive line after suffering multiple injuries in preseason. The Giants are also without one of their best offensive play makers in Victor Cruz as he will miss the opening game of the season due to a calf injury.
On the defensive side of the ball there are infinitely more questions and no answers in sight. Giants star defender Jason Pierre Paul reported to the Giants headquarters however both sides cannot come to an agreement on a contract. JPP was involved in a fireworks accident earlier in the offseason that forced him to have a finger amputated; needless to say he will not be playing in this game either.
The home team the Dallas Cowboys, are coming off a very successful 2014 almost making it to the NFC championship game until a very controversial call took all of that away.
If that was not bad enough the Cowboys lost star running back DeMarco Murray to hated rival the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys however did add several key guys such as Randy Gregory and Byron Jones in the 2015 NFL draft, Greg Hardy and La'el Collins in free agency.
This team is seriously upgraded in several areas of concern from the 2014 season predominantly the defense. One final note the Cowboys lost their best cornerback (Orlando Scandrick) for the season due to an ACL tear. This means a lot of new faces will have to step up for the Cowboys.
Playmakers to watch:
Dez Bryant: Bryant should make mincemeat out of a Giants secondary that is anything but elite. The Giants have lost all of their starting safeties and struggle at cornerback so this should provide a great opportunity for Bryant to go to work.
Joseph Randle: Randle is the likely starter for the Cowboys after Murray's departure. Randle has been solid for the Cowboys as a change of pace back but it is not known if he could handle a full lead back role. He will have his best chance to prove it on Sunday.
Eli Manning: Manning must lead this team on his own if he wants to be signed to a mega deal. Manning will be missing Victor Cruz which should hinder this pass game immensely as Dallas will double and possibly triple team ODB. Manning will also have to worry about the pressure he will be under from this revamp Cowboys defensive line.
Odell Beckham: Beckham will be the main target for Eli Manning which means he will be blanketed in coverage. The Cowboys have learned from ODB's "the catch" last season and will likely look to shut him down. Without Cruz, Beckham will struggle to get open as the Cowboys will double him the most.
Tony Romo: Romo will be entering this season with the highest rated QBR of any quarterback in the NFL and he will need every last point. Romo will be leaned on like he always is when the Cowboys find themselves on 3rd and long situations the only difference is that he has had a whole offseason to prepare. He also will be protected by the best offensive line in football.