Wednesday night the Cowboys and Giants will renew their rivalry and kick off the NFL season. Last year, the Giants won both contests against the Cowboys and eventually became Super Bowl champions. With that being said, at 8:30 pm Wednesday night, last year doesn’t matters. Both teams begin the year with a (0-0) record.
Since last season the Cowboys have retooled their team and tailored it to specifically beat the Giants. Last year, the Cowboys biggest deficiency was in their secondary. This offseason the Cowboys signed Pro Bowl CB Brandon Carr and drafted highly touted CB Morris Claiborne with the 6th overall pick. In the preseason, Carr had 2 INTs and Claiborne showed no signs of being a rookie. When asked about Wednesday nights meeting with the Giants Claiborne told ESPN Dallas:
“I’ve been preparing for this moment. It’s slowly getting here.” …“I know they’re coming,”… “It’s just up to me to prepare myself the way I’ve been preparing to be ready for that.”
As for the defending Super Bowl champion Giants, Eli Manning has his top 2 WRs in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz returning and looking for another big season. When Manning was asked about his WRs outlook this season he told the media:
“I’m feeling good about it. I feel we have a number of guys who can make big plays for us, who know the offense, who are going to be consistent, who can do the correct things and they’re guys who have a great understanding of what we’re trying to do.”
Nicks and Cruz will be matched up against Carr and Claiborne. These two matchups could very well determine the outcome of the game.
It is likely both teams will enter tomorrow night’s game without 2 key players. Cowboys TE Jason Witten and Giants CB Prince Amukumara are doubtful. Witten, QB Tony Romo’s favorite target, has been sidelined with a spleen injury. Team doctors will evaluate Witten before the game. According to Witten, if he is cleared, he will play.
Amukumara suffered a high ankle sprain in the team’s 2nd preseason game. According to coach Tom Coughlin it is unlikely that Amukumara will play.
All in all, expect Wednesday night’s game to have a playoff type atmosphere as the Giants look to repeat and the Cowboys look for payback. The NFL season is finally here and Wednesday night shouldn’t disappoint.
