The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants square off in one of the league’s most intriguing rivalries tonight to close out first week Sunday action. The visiting Cowboys are favored by a field goal over their NFC East Division rivals.
Last year, three of the four teams from the NFC East earned a playoff berth. The Philadelphia Eagles won the division with a season ending two game lead over second place Dallas. The Giants earned their first postseason date since 2016 as a Wild Card team that opened the playoffs with an upset victory in Minnesota. The Cowboys also won their first postseason game last season, downing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tom Brady's final game in the league.
In the Divisional Round of the 2022 playoffs, the Cowboys lost in San Francisco and the Giants came up short in their matchup against the eventual NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Tonight, both teams embark on a regular season campaign with high hopes off of last year’s successes.
The Cowboys appear in a better position to advance farther in the playoffs this year and the Giants prospects were dampened by the holdout of runningback Saquon Barkley. After missing training camp, Barkley signed a one year contract with the Giants.
The big question in Dallas is whether Dak Prescott is really the quarterback to lead them to a Super Bowl title. He has had some moments of brilliance but has never ended a season leading the Cowboys to a date on a Sunday in February.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones revived a career that was languishing before the arrival of new head coach Brian DaBoll. The Giants coach shows up like a Larry David character compared to other intense NFL mentors. He has an easy relationship with his players and they have responded well to his methods.
Good enough to return to the playoffs this year?
If they are to crack the postseason field for a second straight year, the Giants need a home win tonight to establish their claim on the NFC East.
Tough duty.
The Cowboys appear the more complete team and have a very good chance of asserting that prowess tonight in a likely road win.
So, take the Cowboys.
Football is one thing, a good bet often is quite different. While we have more confidence that the Cowboys will be around in the group of six NFC teams headed to the playoffs next January, we are not interested in laying points on the road against a division rival tonight.
So, take the Giants.
No, that appears a short straw on talent alone.
Some things are left best without a vested interest, like tonight's contest at MetLife Stadium.