Oct 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) runs with the ball against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Week 1 of the 2013 NFL season is chock full of interesting divisional matchups, but none may be more important than the impending NFC East showdown between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
Both teams are looking to contend for the NFC East this year and make a deep run in the playoffs. The familiar foes typically play in games that are next to impossible to predict, but we’ll attempt to do that here anyway.
Here is everything fans need to know about the game.
Where: Cowboys Stadium, Dallas Texas
When: September 8, 2013, 8:30 PM ET
Watch: NBC
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, Game Rewind
Giants Player to Watch: David Wilson
Aug 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) runs for an 84 yard touchdown beating New York Jets safety Antonio Allen (39) and New York Jets linebacker Garrett McIntyre (50) during the first quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
We know that quarterback Eli Manning is an elite player with elite options to throw to like Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. What we don’t know is whether or not Manning will have sufficient help from his running game.
That task falls on the shoulders of second-year back David Wilson. He’s an electric player and is not going against an elite defense in Dallas by an means. How he performs will not only dictate whether New York can win, but how the offense will look over the course of the season.
Cowboys Player to Watch: DeMarco Murray
Aug 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) spins after a catch to score a touchdown in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT
The above statement for Manning and Co. is the same story for Dallas. We know what Tony Romo is capable of and we know he has elite options in Dez Bryant and Miles Austin.
What we don’t know is whether or not Romo will have support. DeMarco Murray has shown in the past he is a very dynamic player, but he has been unable to stay healthy over the course of his career to this point. Murray first of all needs to keep his health, and second of all needs to make a difference on the ground.
Sounds simple, right?
Matchup to Watch: Giants’ Receivers vs. Dallas Secondary
Aug 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) makes a one handed grab against New York Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson (20) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
The real test for Dallas here will be whether or not the revamped secondary can match up effectively with Cruz and Nicks. Manning can and will pick apart the Dallas secondary if the defensive backs struggle.
While the battle in the trenches will be fun to watch on both sides, it is how an infamously iffy secondary performs for Dallas that will end up deciding the game.
Prediction
Aug 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets with New York Giants tight end Bear Pascoe (86) during the first quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Home field advantage or not, the Giants look like the better team on paper and Romo is prone for mistakes when it matters most. As long as Nicks is healthy and a full go, Manning should have little issues moving the ball up and down the field.
David Wilson is a very, very special player just looking for an opportunity to break out. That moment will be in Dallas under the massive scoreboard on national television.
Giants 27, Cowboys 24.