Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants: Who wins?

The season opener is here. The Dallas Cowboys face a strong New York Giants team. Who wins? Here, I predict the score and analyze the game.

Well, that time of year has arrived. Dallas Cowboys. New York Giants. Welcome to the season opener!

The start of the season marks the end of the summer, which was a period many of us would like to leave behind.

They say a win changes narratives. Right now, the Cowboys and fans around the globe could use a win, especially against a division rival and the circus of a summer the team had.

Can America’s Team boot the season 1-0? To answer that, we have to address the major hurdle that could determine not only the score of the Giants game, but several games after.

Of course, we are talking about the one and only Ezekiel Elliott.

If the star runner out of Ohio State was dressing with absolute certainty, I’d have the game penciled down as 27-17. So, what’s different? Let me list my thoughts:

The Dallas Cowboys without Zeke: 

• The Giants defense will have freedom to attack the front line
• No worries about stacking the box
• Wide receivers face heavier coverages
• Dak Prescott is forced to carry the offense
• The Cowboys unable to run the ball well, so the Giants hog the ball
• If the Boys can’t hold the ball, the Giants air the ball at will
• Eli Manning throws over 400 yards

I think, in my humble opinion, those are straightforward concerns if Zeke has to sit out the opener. Does one person make a difference?

Well, let me put it this way: The Cowboys used their fourth overall pick in 2016 to aid the defense and offense. Best of all, that solution worked.

And now with that weapon out (for who knows how long, at the time of this writing), defenses, which include the New York Giants, can scheme proactively knowing that the Cowboys’ best tool is at home unable to do anything.

Now, let’s go ahead and say Zeke is out for opening weekend. Do the Cowboys tower over the Giants still?

For me, I say yes, but my score shifts from 27-17 to something in the neighborhood of 31-27.

I don’t think Elliott gets enough credit for solving both the problems on offense and defense. In fact, should Zeke be out for an extended period of time, the super young runner will be this year’s version of Tony Romo.

This is of course, no knock on the list of quarterbacks on the Dallas roster right now. But if the Cowboys couldn’t best the Giants in two tries last year with Zeke and Dak Prescott, how will things look for the Boys without the former track star?

So folks, I’m going to stick to my guns with a 31-27 score. I don’t like it. This could be a shoot out. I don’t want Eli Manning turning into an all-star under the Dallas night-lights.

But, the Cowboys will have to take shots from the new set of wide receivers in New York. Might as well learn to shut them down now, cause to me, something is screaming that we’ll meet up two more times down the road.

Next: Who will lead the Dallas Cowboys in interceptions?

The Dallas Cowboys will win Sunday. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be fun. Sometimes, though, that’s all you can ask for, especially after a forgettable summer like the one we had.

Enjoy the game Cowboys Nation.