The wait is finally over.
After an offseason filled with changes on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys will finally take the field Sunday night against the New York Giants. Dallas has dominated this matchup for most of the Dak Prescott era, but as I talked about in my opponent preview, this isn’t the same Giants team we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.
The Cowboys won’t know exactly what John Harbaugh has planned until they see it for themselves Sunday night. Week 1 always comes with some uncertainty, and a new coaching staff in New York only adds to it.
We have already seen this week that teams can struggle to get acclimated to the season. But being sleepy is no excuse. So, what will it take for the Cowboys to leave New York 1-0? I’ve come up with three Keys to Victory for Sunday night. Watch the video below for my full breakdown, or keep scrolling to read all three.
1. Finish Tackles
We know the Giants want to run the football. What we don’t necessarily know is who will get the carries.
Cam Skattebo sits atop the depth chart, but don’t overlook Najee Harris. Harris may be buried behind Skattebo entering Week 1, but his physical, downhill running style fits exactly what John Harbaugh wants this offense to become. Harbaugh isn’t giving away the plan, either. When reporters pushed him about personnel this week, he made it very clear that he wasn’t going to reveal who would play, start or be featured in certain packages.
Regardless of who gets the football, Patrick Ricard should be a major part of the equation. The six-time Pro Bowl fullback followed Harbaugh from Baltimore and will be vital to the Giants’ power-running identity, particularly when New York gets into heavier personnel.
Dallas knows what’s coming, even if it doesn’t know exactly who is carrying it. Get multiple defenders to the football, wrap up and finish tackles. Dallas had a problem last year finishing tackles, luckily the linebackers are different.
2. Play Through Receivers
There is no secret that Dallas has one of the more talented receiver rooms in the NFL. Headlined by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, we saw the Cowboys feed those two last season.
The Giants will come into this game with those two in mind. But I think New York will need to appoint additional help with safeties to create coverage. Naturally, this will cause the Giants to play deeper and have more defensive backs on the field.
Make New York prove it can cover them. If the Giants have to dedicate additional resources toward Lamb and Pickens, that should eventually create lighter boxes and better opportunities for Javonte Williams. Dallas doesn’t need to establish the pass through the run. This week, I’d flip it around.
Usually, you run to set up the pass. This week if you pass early, then you can turn it around and give it to your workhorse Javonte.
3. Keep Dart In Jail
Jaxson Dart will be entering year two, the sophomore slump has hit many QBs. As teams start to figure him out, he will be challenged this year to overcome it. Dart wins by using his legs and playing improv. This is common for young quarterbacks, they do well in situations where they revert to the instincts of their position and think less.
When you get into the NFL, the defenses get more complex. So when they figure you out…it gets rough. Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark give Dallas an opportunity to create pressure through the interior, while Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeriaku can attack from the edge, but the important piece will be the contain.
Make sure Dart gets stuck in the pocket, and force him to make the decision to throw a comfortable ball- 30 times. Dart will give Dallas opportunities to create some turnovers.
X-Factors of the Game
Game x-factors: not necessarily the best players, but guys that could have a big impact.
As much as I would like this game to show shades of the 2023 opener. I think the newness of the Giants will make them competitive, and this game will be competitive. But if the Cowboys are truly different, you need to win these divisional games.
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