Cowboys at Giants: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (-4, 46)
THE STORY: The New York Giants begin the defense of their Super Bowl championship on Wednesday, when they open the 2012 season against the Dallas Cowboys. New York's 9-7 record was enough to win the mediocre NFC East last season, clinching the title with a 31-14 triumph over Dallas at home in Week 17. The Giants rolled past Atlanta and upset the 15-1 Packers in Green Bay before needing overtime to top San Francisco in the conference championship game.
For the second time in five years, New York defeated New England in the Super Bowl, earning its fourth league championship. That gives Dallas even more incentive to take down its hated division rival in the season opener.
The Cowboys, who were a disappointing 8-8 last year, have not had much success against the Giants of late, losing five of their last six meetings. New York has eclipsed the 30-point mark in each of its last six victories in the all-time series.
Officiating could be a factor as replacement officials will be used to start the season for the second time in 12 years. The league locked out its regular officials in June, and a new agreement with the referees union has yet to be reached.
LINE: Giants -4. O/U: 46. Oddsmakers opened the defending Super Bowl champs as 3-point favorites back in April. The spread has jump a point at most books and the total has also moved from 47 to 46 points.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS: The injury-riddled receiving corps appears to be rounding into shape. Dez Bryant sat out the final two preseason games with right knee tendinitis while Miles Austin didn't play at all after having hamstring problems last season and in training camp. Both are expected to be ready for the Giants. Tight end Jason Witten, who suffered a lacerated spleen in the preseason opener on Aug. 13, practiced in pads Saturday for the first time since the injury and hopes to be medically cleared for Wednesday's contest. As a precaution, Dallas claimed tight end Colin Cochart off waivers from Cincinnati and released third-string quarterback Stephen McGee.
ABOUT THE GIANTS: With a second Super Bowl ring on his hand, Eli Manning enters the year with more confidence than ever before. That also is because of a trio of receivers in Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon that arguably is the best in the league. Nicks is returning from offseason foot surgery and sat out practice Sunday but insisted he will play. New York also added talented tight end Martellus Bennett, whose growth was stunted in Dallas as he spent four seasons behind Witten. Linebacker Michael Boley, who missed the entire preseason with a strained hamstring, practiced for the first time Saturday and hopes to be on the field against the Cowboys.
TRENDS:
* Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Over is 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings in New York.
* Cowboys are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight meetings in New York.
* Cowboys are 1-5 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Underdog is 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The Cowboys own the league's best winning percentage in season openers with a .663 mark (34-17-1). The Giants also are among the leaders at .592 (49-33-5).
2. New York is five victories away from becoming the third team in NFL history to reach 650 wins. It will join Chicago (712) and Green Bay (679) in the elite group.
3. Witten, who has missed just one game in his career, owns the second-longest consecutive games streak among active TEs at 139 contests. He sat out a game as a rookie in 2003 due to a broken jaw.
Tale of the tape: Cowboys at Giants
By Covers.com
Take a quick glance at the tale of the tape for Wednesday night’s NFC East showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants:
Offense
The Cowboys’ offense will be seeking revenge after a disappointing 2011 campaign that saw Dallas drop both games to New York, including a devastating loss in Week 17. Tight end Jason Witten is undergoing a CT scan on his spleen Tuesday to determine his availability for the season opener. The seven-time Pro Bowler has said he’s ready to go and will suit up if he’s cleared by doctors. Quarterback Tony Romo still has two lethal weapons at wide receiver in Dez Bryant and Miles Austin to throw the ball to if Witten remains sidelined.
It’s no secret the Giants’ offense revolves around quarterback Eli Manning. The two-time Super Bowl champion is a year removed from throwing almost 5,000 yards and recording 29 touchdowns passes. The big question on Wednesday will revolve around the health and effectiveness of his favorite target Hakeem Nicks. The wideout underwent surgery to repair a broken toe in May and is still experiencing discomfort during practice.
Edge: Cowboys
Defense
The Cowboys will debut a new, beefed up secondary against the Giants. Dallas signed coveted free-agent cornerback Brandon Carr in the offseason and also selected the top corner in this year’s draft, Morris Claiborne. Mike Jenkins, a 2009 Pro Bowl cornerback, will be a game-time decision as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that has kept him off the field for the entire preseason.
The Giants are nursing all kinds of injuries on defense. Cornerback Terrell Thomas was placed on season-ending IR and Prince Amukamara is doubtful with an ankle injury. The Cowboys will be looking to exploit the depleted Giants secondary, but Justin Tuck and Jason-Pierre Paul should still be able to shut down the running game and get pressure on Romo.
Edge: Giants
Special teams
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has said Dez Bryant is still in the mix to return punts in the opener, but the team has yet to finalize its kick and punt returners. Bryant was ineffective last season, averaging 6.7 yards per return.
The Giants don’t have an overly impressive return game, but kicker Lawrence Tynes was perfect in the preseason, nailing all eight of his field goal attempts and punter Steve Weatherford unleashed two hulking 55-plus yard punts last week against New England.
Edge: Giants
Word on the street
“The offensive line we have is fairly experienced. They’ve played a lot of games in this league. We’re going to put a plan together and we’re going to go play football ... So we’re excited to see them play against a really, really formidable defensive line the Giants have. It’ll be a great challenge for us and we’re excited about it.” Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett on the team's five starting linemen that have yet to take a snap in tandem during the preseason because of injuries.
"Michael (Coe) can run, he is very fast. Michael is physical and is not afraid. And Michael has a very strong mentality. If he doesn't have success on a play, we can chew his (rear) out and he'll come back and make a play for you. So I like his mental makeup also." Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell on Michael Coe's ability to defend Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Coe will start at corner in place of the injured Prince Amukamara.
Week 1 Preview
Cowboys @ Giants — Defending Super Bowl champs are 9-1-2 vs spread in their next season’s opener last 12 years (12-0 SU). Giants won last four home openers; since ’90, they’re 10-4 vs spread as favorite in home openers, but just 12-18-1 vs spread in last 31 games as a home favorite. Dallas owner Jones was mouthing off about “kicking the Giants’ ass; his Cowboys are 2-7 in last nine series games, losing 37-34/31-14 in LY’s meetings- they’ve lost three of last four visits here, losing by 21-7-17 points, but are 8-4 vs spread in last dozen games as road underdogs. Dallas is opening on road for fifth year in row. 14-8 vs spread in last 22 road openers, losing last two, by 6-3 points. 12 of their last 15 road openers went over total, as did four of Big Blue’s last five home openers. Average total in last six series games is 61.
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