Dallas (0-0) at NY Giants (0-0)
When: Sunday, September 10th, 2023
Where: MetLife Stadium,
East Rutherford, NJ
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: NBC
Opening Odds: Dallas -3/46
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The first of two prime time NFL games in two nights at MetLife Stadium takes place Sunday when the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys. These NFC East rivals are no strangers to prime time games – and against each other. The Cowboys are a perfect 7-0 all-time in Week 1 night games against the Giants. Meanwhile, New York quarterback Daniel Jones is 1-9 under the lights in his career. That lone win however, came in Week 15 late last season when he beat Washington.
Dallas comes into this contest as a 3-point favorite with a total of 45. The Cowboys swept the 2022 season series, including a 23-16 victory on Monday night in New Jersey in Week 3. Cowboys starting QB Dak Prescott was out injured and backup Cooper Rush threw for 215 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Tony Pollard (105) Ezekiel Elliott (73) combined for 178 yards and a score. Jones threw for 196 yards and ran for another 79 yards, while Saquon Barkley had 126 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
Dallas recorded a 28-20 win on Thanksgiving Day in the rematch with Prescott throwing for 261 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones had 228 yards passing with a touchdown and no picks. The Giants led that game 13-7 at halftime, but the Cowboys dominated the third quarter en route to the season sweep.
Prescott has won 10 straight games against the Giants, trailing Roger Staubach by one win for the franchise record against the Giants. Pollard takes over as the featured back with Elliott now in New England. Dallas improved the wide receiver position in the offseason by trading for Houston’s Brandin Cooks. Left guard Tyler Smith and safety Donovan Wilson are both questionable heading into Week 1.
With offensive coordinator Kellen Moore off to the Chargers, head coach Mike McCarthy is now calling the plays. The Cowboys locked up guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs to extensions, two of the best at their positions. The defense should be among the best in the league and is anchored by linebacker Micah Parsons and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.
New York resigned Jones to a long-term extension and negotiated a contract with Barkley. The former Penn State standout accounted for 27.7 percent of the Giants’ offense last season, the fifth-highest of any player in the league. New York made the playoffs and actually beat Minnesota despite stumbling down the stretch during the regular season. Jones averaged 0.5 turnovers per game last season, the fewest of any qualified QB.
Barkley was fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,312) and the offense should be even better with the acquisition of Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller and third-round rookie Jalin Hyatt, who won the Fred Biletnikoff Award last year at Tennessee. The Giants also added inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and traded for Arizona linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons.
I like this New York team to compete this season in the NFC East. It’s not all going to be about Philly and Dallas. This is a big game for the Giants to start off with a division win. Jones is improving and has more weapons to throw to. Division dogs are pretty good in Week 1 games and I’ll ride that trend.
Pick: Giants +3
