OFFICIAL GDT - Cowboys vs Giants!!!

[Underdog]

Cowboys vs. Giants
Cowboys Hope To Open New Stadium With Giant Victory

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GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (1-0) vs. New York Giants (1-0)
WHEN: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. (CT)
WHERE: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TELEVISION: NBC (Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth)

BIG ISSUE: Yes, the Cowboys have had two preseason games in the new Cowboys Stadium, but for the regular-season home opener, owner Jerry Jones has saved many of the bells and whistles. The Tom Landry statue is in place, the star will be at the 50-yard line and the roof will be open, weather permitting. The only thing left is a Cowboys win, which won't come easily against the defending NFC East champion Giants, who have possibly become Dallas' biggest rival. The Cowboys cannot afford to be blinded by the glitz and glamour of the new stadium and get caught with anything less than their A-game.

The Giants are just as motivated by the new stadium's opening as the Cowboys are. Except instead of playing to the cheers of 100,000-plus fans, they want to hear boos, or better yet, silence. New York comes into town hoping to spoil the Cowboys' big grand-opening party and collectively shut up North Texas. To do that, they'll have to play a little better than they did against the Redskins in Week 1, though.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: Cowboys stud outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware did not record a sack in the team's opener against the Buccaneers, but don't expect that to happen again this week. For one, the last time Ware went two consecutive games in the same season without a sack was the first two games of the 2007 season. Now, Ware also failed to record a sack in the 2008 season finale loss to the Eagles, but the last time Ware went three games sack-less was his 2005 rookie season.

The Giants only rushed for 103 yards last week against the Redskins, and poor rushing performances aren't common for at team that features massive running back Brandon Jacobs and lightning-quick back Ahmad Bradshaw. But, the last time they did have a poor running performance came in none other than last year's Cowboys win in December, when the Giants managed only 72 yards on the ground.

ONE-ON-ONE: Last week was Mike Jenkins' turn to start at right cornerback. This week belongs to Orlando Scandrick. But Scandrick's most important role will not come covering the right sideline, but covering the slot when the Giants use three wide receivers. More often than not, the Giants' slot receiver will be Steve Smith, who is also the most experienced in New York's receiving corps. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Smith isn't huge, but he's bigger than other receivers who thrive in slot, like New England's Wes Welker (5-9, 185) or Washington's Santana Moss (a generous 5-10, 200). Whether Scandrick can be physical enough with Smith is not a question, though. Just ask Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams, who took two hard Scandrick hits during training camp and preseason practices.

Aside from a false start here and there, Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams is busy keeping quarterback Tony Romo's jersey clean. That task was easier last year against the Giants, because New York defensive end Osi Umenyiora's season ended before it even started due to injury. But Umenyiora's back with a vengeance, and showed it in Week 1 with a forced fumble, which he recovered himself and returned for a touchdown. Adams will likely get a good amount of help on Umenyiora, but he will have to be able to handle him one-on-one from time to time, because another sack-master, Justin Tuck, will be rushing from the other side and will command double teams as well.

SUPPORTING ROLE: The much-praised New York Giants defense will meet someone Sunday it's never faced before - Cowboys running back Felix Jones. Jones was out with injury for both of Dallas' games against the Giants during his 2008 rookie season, but now he's healthy and will get a crack at them this week. Jones could prove to be a valuable weapon for Romo, because with the Giants' pass rush pressuring him early and often, the Cowboys quarterback will need a quick dump-off option. And who better to turn a five-yard pass into a 70-yard touchdown than Felix Jones?

The Cowboys put up 353 passing yards and three deep passing touchdowns last week against the Buccaneers, and now with the Giants' injury problems in the secondary, Romo, Williams & Co. could be successful again. Three Giants starters (cornerback Aaron Ross and safeties Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson) are burdened with injury issues, along with one crucial backup at corner (Kevin Dockery). If all four missed the game (Ross has already been ruled out), that would leave the Giants with only four healthy players in the secondary - safety C.C. Brown, and three corners (starter Corey Webster and backups Terrell Thomas and Bruce Johnson. It's unlikely all four injured defensive backs will be out, but the backups will be relied upon more than usual nonetheless. HEADSET GAMES: After last week's exhibition of matador run defense, the Cowboys know that stopping the Giants' ground game is their top priority. New York's receiving corps is young and inexperienced, so Dallas isn't as concerned about doubling any of their receivers as much as they are bringing a safety into the box to stack up against the run. If they can stymie the run game (and get a sizeable lead on offense), the Cowboys' pass rushers can pin their ears back to get after Giants quarterback Eli Manning, forcing him and his relatively inexperienced wide receivers to do most of the heavy lifting.

The Giants, on the other hand, are more concerned about stopping the pass. The problem is, sometimes they won't know when the Cowboys are going to do it. That's because Dallas is using more two-tight end sets with second-year end Martellus Bennett lining up opposite Witten, aimed at making run and pass almost indistinguishable before the snap. If the Giants stack the box (doubtful), Romo can check into a pass play, knowing he has just as much receiving talent on the field as he would with five wide receivers. If the Giants keep two safeties deep, Witten and Bennett, both able blockers, can contribute to opening holes for Jones and fellow back Marion Barber.

HEALTH WATCH:

Cowboys

The Cowboys don't have many injury issues at all. The only players listed out have been out for some time - rookie inside linebacker Jason Williams (high ankle sprain) and rookie safety Mike Hamlin (broken wrist). The other four listed on the injury report - starting quarterback Tony Romo (ankle), starting safety Gerald Sensabaugh (chest), rookie quarterback Stephen McGee (knee) and backup outside linebacker Curtis Johnson (hamstring) - had full practices all week and are listed as probable.

Giants

The Giants are hurting much more than the Cowboys are. Six players have already been ruled out - starting corner Aaron Ross (hamstring), defensive tackle Chris Canty (calf), backup center Adam Koets (ankle), rookie wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (foot), backup linebacker Clint Sintim (groin) and backup running back Danny Ware (elbow). Starting safety Kenny Phillips (knee) and backup cornerback Kevin Dockery (hamstring) are listed as questionable, and neither practiced on Friday. Starting linebacker Michael Boley (hip) and starting safety Michael Johnson (shoulder) are both listed as probable.