The 2012 NFL season-opening game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants is a quietly brewing storm, just like the weather forecast for Wednesday night at MetLife Stadium. If you’re planning on attending the game, be sure to bring your bumbershoot because you’re bound to get wet. Just like the weather, the atmosphere will be electric before kickoff, with all the festivities that come with the league’s opening game. Whether it stays that way after the contest gets underway is a different matter entirely.
Typically over the past few years, games between the Cowboys and Giants have been high-scoring, down-to-the-wire affairs ending with those plays that make you stand up and shout “Ohhhh!” However, the last meaningful game the Cowboys played was against the Giants at MetLife Stadium and it wasn’t anything close to that.
This time, New York is coming off a Super Bowl, while Dallas is still scratching its head. The Cowboys can get a fresh start by performing well in this primetime contest (that hasn’t been the case lately), so let’s break it down:
The Cowboys might be short on offense with tight end Jason Witten (doubtful) and receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant (both probable) all nursing injuries. They may not matter if it’s pouring rain, though, because both teams may resort to running the ball for a majority of the contest if the field becomes a small pond. If Dallas signal-caller Tony Romo does pass, it will be in the direction of Giants cornerback Michael Coe, a sixth-year veteran making his first career start due to injuries to three players ahead of him on the depth chart.
This is a superb advantage for the Cowboys regardless of Witten, Austin and Bryant’s health because Coe’s presence will still give Romo the green light to throw to the likes of Kevin Olgetree, Dwayne Harris and Cole Beasley. Indeed, a guy like Beasley could really have his coming out party on Wednesday night, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Another major factor for Dallas is the offensive line, which was pathetic in 2011 – and that’s putting it politely. Phil Costa is still starting at center, so Romo won’t ever be comfortable in the pocket, especially when staring down the best defensive line in football. If Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathis Kiwanuka and Jason Pierre-Paul wreak havoc on the Cowboys’ backfield again, this won’t be a contest. The rain may help a little, but don’t bank on that.
On the other side of the ball, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan says it’s his fault Dallas lost twice to New York last year.
“I had a lot to do with it and I don’t want that to happen again,” Ryan said. “Did it ruin my offseason? No, they were the best team in the league. They won the Super Bowl. But do I plan on doing something about it? Yeah, we’re playing on getting a hell of a lot better.”
Ryan credits the losses mostly to communication errors – his players didn’t have his complex defensive scheme down and he also takes blame for that. However, he also said “it’s a lot better” this year. Some familiarity with the opposition should help, though. Cowboys rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne was the college teammate of Giants rookie receiver Rueben Randle and the latter has been filling in his teammates – like Hakeem Nicks – about Claiborne’s tendencies.
“We asked him a few questions on what’s his technique, if he likes to bail, if he likes to jump-jam, stuff like that,’’ Nicks said. “It shouldn’t be too hard.’’
That strong talk isn’t unusual for a Cowboys-Giants game. The trash talk between these two teams over the past two years has been ridiculous, culminating with Jerry Jones‘ “come watch us beat the Giants’ [expletive]” statement. However, the Xs and Os are a little more in-depth.
Nicks is questionable for the game while recovering from a broken foot and his presence will determine who Claiborne covers. If Victor Cruz is in the slot, Orlando Scandrick will take him while Brandon Carr will take Nicks. That means Claiborne will likely cover Domenik Hixon for most of the game. So unless New York has some serious injury problems, Claiborne won’t see much, if any, of his former LSU teammate. Like Coe, though, Claiborne will be tested by Giants quarterback Eli Manning as the new man in the secondary.
What further complicates things for Dallas is the fact that All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff will miss the game with a high ankle sprain, so that will take away from the pressure the Cowboys put on Manning. During the preseason, Dallas was much better in the pass rush than in years past, but those were exhibitions. This is the real deal and Manning is the reigning Super Bowl MVP. That, along with Manning’s very strong recent performances against the Cowboys, makes things way more than just “interesting” heading into Wednesday night.
All things considered, the teams are pretty evenly matched in every area except one: the Cowboys’ O-line vs. the Giants’ D-line. As usual, that gives the Giants the edge. Prediction: Giants 27, Cowboys 21.
Jeric Griffin is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com. Follow Jeric on Twitter @JericGriffin or ”Like” Jeric on Facebook
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