NFL Week Eight Picks & Predictions: Cowboys vs. Giants
Every week of the NFL regular season, we ask all of The Landry Hat writers and contributors to submit their picks and predictions for the upcoming Dallas Cowboy game. This week, we asked our experts for their predictions for today’s game between our Cowboys and the New York Giants.
Sep 5, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) hands off to running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Dallas won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE
Steven Mullenax, Editor & Head Writer: This is a fairly easy call. Since Dallas defeated New York back in the first game of the season, both teams have been heading in opposite directions. The Giants play has improved while the Cowboys has declined. The G-men play what is essentially a home game in Cowboys Stadium and the Boys are without their defensive leader in Sean Lee and their starting running back in DeMarco Murray. Look for a close first half game that turns into a Giant’s offensive explosion after halftime. Dallas 18, New York 35.
Jonathan Barger, Senior Writer: Life without Lee will be difficult, but this is the NFL; don’t expect the Cowboys to attend their own pity-party. The secondary had it’s first interception last week thanks to Mo Claiborne. Look to see Rob Ryan test his corners and send some pressure after Eli Manning. The Cowboys offensive line has been playing much improved and look for the offense to click on all cylinders. Romo and Austin connect on the final drive to kill the clock and advanced to 4-3. Cowboys 31 – Giants 24.
Todd Toombs, Senior Writer: This game against the hated New York Giants comes along at the exact worst possible time. The Cowboys are reeling a little with the season-ending injury to Sean Lee and will likely not have DeMarco Murray on the offensive side of the ball. Tall order for the Cowboys to win this one. The Giants are getting healthy and are on a roll – and have yet to taste defeat at our new Cowboys Stadium. Almost nothing is in the Cowboys’ favor here, but this is a division game where none of that likely matters. If the Cowboys can keep it close through the first half, they have a shot to pull off the upset. They’ll need to force the Giants into some mistakes to give them help. If not, it will be another long round of salsa dancing. Cowboys 20, Giants 30.
Tonni Shook, Senior Writer: Looking to avenge the first game loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants are coming to town ready for a fight. Another loss to the Cowboys and they will not have sole possession of the NFC East. The Cowboys are looking for the sweep and a chance to get out of a ho-hum start. Since I will be there in person, I expect to see a hard-hitting, penalty-free, entertaining game. I don’t want to see repeated mistakes and mediocre performances. I want to hear the fans screaming from kickoff until the final whistle. My prediction: Dallas Cowboys 21 – New York Giants 15.
Jeff Magnia, Staff Writer: This game will get ugly quick if our defense doesn’t perform. The loss of Sean Lee will affect the team, but we still have Demarcus Ware. Offensively, we have to pound the ball and not worry about throwing so much. The Giants rank 23rd in run defense, so let’s exploit it. A close game is the hope, Cowboys can win the game 24-21.
Alex Young, Staff Writer: The Cowboys are in serious trouble this week. One the one hand, you have the defending Super Bowl champion Giants coming to town, they are ticked about losing the season opener in New York and Eli is chomping at the bit for a chance to light the defense up. On the other hand, Dallas is going to be demoralized defensively because of the loss of the irreplaceable Sean Lee for the season. Dallas has never beaten the Giants in Cowboy Stadium, but none of the games have been blowouts, I expect that trend to end this time. New York can score, Dallas hasn’t scored 30 points yet this year and has not shown up at home yet. Giants will prevail. Cowboys 17, Giants 34.
Jeff Federspiel, Staff Writer: While the Cowboys were able to win their last matchup with the Giants on the road, they will be facing a healthier and reinvigorated Giants team this time around. Eli Manning is 3-0 at Cowboys Stadium, and has led their offense to pretty incredible production lately. This time around, I don’t think the Cowboys will be able to keep up with the scoring, but should be able to keep it competitive. Cowboys 24, Giants 31.
Michael Huff, Staff Writer: This is a tough one for the Dallas Cowboys, but with commitment to the running game and a defense that is able to adjust to the loss of Sean Lee they pull out a win 18-16.
Artie Cappello, Senior Writer: Key injuries have slowed us down all year. Our QB is not in sync with his WR’s. Chaos almost always seems to play a roll. On any given Sunday, we can beat or lose to any team in the league. Meet our 2012 Dallas Cowboys. Our Cowboys host the Giants this week and one of these teams will score 34 points, the other 27.