The NFL is back for the 2023 season, and this Sunday promises a thrilling matchup between two playoff-winning teams from last season: the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. Ahead of the game, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm for facing their NFC East rivals, knowing how important division games can be.
The outcome of these games often affects your chances of making it to the playoffs, so we’ve dedicated extra time to studying the Giants. Thankfully, their coordinators have remained the same, giving us some sense of what to expect.
That being said, we’re also preparing for the 35% of surprises they might throw our way. Winning the first game is always a challenge, especially on the road, but that’s what makes it even more satisfying.
When it comes to the Cowboys’ offense, it carries over the great qualities it has possessed over the years. Under the guidance of former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the team averaged an impressive 27.7 points per game from 2019 to 2022, the second-highest in the NFL during that period.
However, head coach Mike McCarthy has decided to take charge of the play-calling once again, going back to his roots. In this scheme, expect to see a faster pace with more no-huddle action. Additionally, the passing game holds great potential, with Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper showing excellent chemistry during training camp.
Tony Pollard takes on the role of lead running back for the Cowboys after proving his ability as a reliable ball-carrier in previous seasons.
Having spent the past four seasons as Ezekiel Elliott’s backup, Pollard is eager to become the go-to running back. In the 2022 season, his 5.9 yards per touch topped the NFL among players with at least 200 touches, while Elliott’s 3.9 yards per touch ranked last among similar players.
This clear distinction made it inevitable for the Cowboys to let Elliott go and sign with the New England Patriots. With all eyes on Pollard, the pressure is on for him to thrive and deliver for Dallas. His performance will undoubtedly shape the team’s ground game moving forward.
On the other side of the field, the New York Giants will showcase the evolution of quarterback Daniel Jones under the guidance of head coach Brian Daboll. Since Daboll’s arrival in 2022, Jones has transformed from a player whose fifth-year option was declined to a bona fide franchise quarterback, as evident in his four-year, $160 million contract signed this off-season.
With Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka designing the offense, Jones has shown remarkable growth in reducing his turnovers, earning him the recognition he truly deserved in 2022. Together, they devised a game plan that focused on shorter passes, resulting in Jones having the second-fewest air yards per pass attempt among qualified quarterbacks.
However, Jones might face a tough challenge against the Dallas defense, led by All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons’ relentless pressure on quarterbacks, along with the rest of the Dallas front, contributed to the team generating the highest quarterback pressure rate in the NFL in 2022 at 43.3%.
Despite these daunting odds, McCarthy doesn’t merely assume that the Giants’ offensive line will struggle against Dallas’ defensive prowess in 2023. The Giants made a valuable addition to their offensive line by selecting John Michael Schmitz, the top center from the 2023 NFL Draft.
With Saquon Barkley and the recent acquisition of tight end Darren Waller, Jones has an array of playmakers to rely on.
The Jones-Waller duo holds the potential to create explosive plays, potentially unlocking Jones’ ability to throw deep. Despite missing eight games last season, Waller managed to have the most 20+ yard receptions among tight ends in 2022.
Their chemistry and connection could shake up the game and surprise the Cowboys. This thrilling matchup is poised to be a closely-fought battle, but in the end, we predict the Dallas Cowboys will come out on top, with a final score of Cowboys 31, Giants 20.