Giants at Cowboys 9/8/19 - NFL Picks & Predictions

On Sunday, the New York Giants visit AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas to play NFC East rival the Dallas Cowboys in the opening game of the 2019 NFL regular season for both.

The Giants ended their preseason with a 31-29 come-from-behind win over the New England Patriots. Entering the regular season the Giants will have Eli Manning under center, and Saquon Barkley at running back. Injuries have decimated the Giants wide receiver corps. The Giants defense has improved but for the Giants to win consistently they will have to score 25 to 30 points per game with strong play from veteran Manning under center.

Dallas is still without its top player on offense running back Ezekiel Elliott, but the Cowboys have one of the top wide receivers in Amari Cooper. Quarterback Dak Prescott will have to rely more on his arm in this one than on the legs of the absent Elliott. Dallas has added Randall Cobb at wide out and on defense have one of the premier pass rushers in DeMarcus Lawrence. The linebacker corps is solid with Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith.

Last season Eli Manning threw for 4,299 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Saquon Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns. The top wide receiver back from last season is Sterling Shepard with 66 receptions for 872 yards and four touchdowns. Shepard was injured early in training camp but is expected back for the opening game.

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 3,885 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Holdout Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys in rushing and rookies Tony Pollard and Mike Weber or veteran Alfred Morris will take Elliott’s spot. Amari Cooper led all Dallas wide receivers with 53 receptions for 725 yards and six touchdowns.