A big NFC East battle is featured on the first installment of NBC’s Sunday Night Football when the Giants visit the defending division champion Cowboys. New York has a tendency to surprise when you least expect it and this could be one of those times. Dallas wasn’t that good at home last season, going 2-5 ATS before routing Indianapolis in a game that meant nothing to the Colts.
ODDS
Dallas opened as 6-point chalk in its home opener with a total of 49. The Cowboys had trouble covering at home last season and the points could be favorable for the Giants. The total spiked to 51.5 since the opening number was set and these teams have cashed the over in each of the last six meeting in Dallas, giving it plenty of value.
KEY INJURIES
Victor Cruz – Is likely out while recovering from a calf strain that cost him three weeks of practice. His current injury is unrelated to the torn patellar tendon that ended his 2014 season in October. Rueben Randle will get more reps while filling in.
Jon Beason – Continues to be hobbled by a knee injury sustained early in the preseason. He was held out of practice this week and is questionable for the opener. Already thin on defense, the Giants will miss their middle linebacker if he can’t go. Either Uani’ Unga or Jasper Brinkley will take over.
Rolando McClain and Greg Hardy – Begin serving their four-game suspensions leaving the Cowboys defense a little thin to open the season.
KEY MISMATCH
The Cowboys have built an offensive line that makes every team in the NFL envious. First-round picks Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin, along with Doug Free and Ronald Leary, are back after paving the way for last year’s rushing leader DeMarco Murray. Many believe the line was most responsible for Murray’s breakout numbers, and the ‘Boys weren’t overly concerned when Murray bolted for division rival Philadelphia in free agency. The Cowboys will return to their familiar grinding, ball-control running game behind a committee of new backs featuring last year’s backup Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar. Controlling the line of scrimmage also prevents Dallas from overburdening quarterback Tony Romo.
KEY STAT
31 – The Cowboys were second in the NFL in takeaways last season. The opportunistic defense took advantage as part of the team’s revival, and goes against a team that turned the ball over 28 times in 2014.
BETTING ANGLE
Major concerns for both teams on the defensive side of the football has the over looking real good. The total has spiked 2.5 points since it opened at 49 and could move more before Sunday night. New York’s Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul hasn’t been cleared after blowing off fingers on his right hand in a Fourth of July accident, linebacker Jon Beason is hobbled with a knee injury and the Giants put four safeties on injured reserve during the preseason. Steve Spagnuolo was brought back to run the defense after the unit allowed nearly 400 yards per game last season. The Cowboys have their own issues on defense. Hardy and McClain will miss the first four games with suspensions and corner Orlando Scandrick was lost to a season-ending knee injury.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Cowboys catch the Giants at an opportune time, facing an offense without Cruz, rookie Ereck Flowers at left tackle and a defense without its best pass rusher in Pierre-Paul. Dallas tip-toed through the preseason, preparing for the games that count, and now that they’re here, they will take advantage. Never underestimate Eli Manning and his Giants, however. With Odell Beckham Jr., there’s always a chance for the big play and the Cowboys secondary is thin. Watch for Manning to take his shots and hit on a few to keep the game close. There are points out there and the teams will take them, the Cowboys will just get more.
Dallas 34, New York 23
BookMaker opened the spread for this Sunday game at -6 in favor of the Cowboys. The NFL odds total surfaced at 49. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
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