Nov 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back
DeMarco Murray(29) is tackled by New York Giants linebacker
Jon Beason(52) during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Will vs James
Welcome to GMEN HQ. Today I’m going to be doing some word battle with our Editor, Will Watts, about this game on Sunday. The New York Giants are traveling through the Ebola talk all the way to Dallas to play football in one of the most expensive buildings in Texas, AT&T Stadium. Since there’s definitely going to be a game, let’s take about it in debate form:
James: Everyone knows Big Blue fell apart last week, Will. It was a disgusting display of pigskin, can the Giants be effective enough on Sunday to win?
Will: I think the Giants will get in their licks, but the Cowboys will run well and throw TD’s. They’re shooting on all cylinders and I don’t think the G-Men defense can beat their offense. Answer this James: If DeMarco Murray gets loose and Dez Bryant catches everything his way, how will the Giants keep pace on offense?
James: I just don’t believe the New York Giants offense is to the point where it can win a big shootout in Dallas, especially with no Rashad Jennings & Victor Cruz. I believe the Giants blue print to success on Sunday has to come from winning the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball, a difficult task considering how dominant the Cowboys have been on their offensive line.
First, the Giants will need to be able to establish their own run game, hopefully taking up a good chunk of possession, giving their own defense time to rest. Time of possession has been a big reason for the Cowboys early season success as they rank second in the NFL in that category at 57.78%.
Second, the Giants defense will absolutely need to stop the run. The strong running game, led by DeMarco Murray, has been the bread & butter of the Cowboys offense this season. The Cowboys are averaging a league high 160.3 yards per game on the ground, an astonishing number. By keeping opposing defenses on the field, the Cowboys have been able to mask the deficiencies many expected to see from their defense.
Lastly, if the first two parts go to plan, the Giants can force Tony Romo into a situation where he will need to throw the ball to beat them. This is where the Giants pass rush will need to harness some of the power of the great Giants pass rush teams of the past decade. If they can get to Romo, I am confident they can force a couple of bad decisions on his part, which hopefully can swing the game in the Giants favor.
Above is what I believe the blue print is for a Giants victory in Dallas, but the real question is whether or not this team is capable of executing it. Does that answer your question?
Will: Under the guidance of Coach Coughlin, this football team is fully capable of playing football in the style you speak of. Case in point, the 0-2, followed by 105 points in three games.
Sometimes in football, if your team gets off to a bad start it can domino the entire game plan to the point where absolutely nothing is effective. The Philadelphia Eagles beat the tiny people out of the Giants last week, it was abysmal. It was also the fourth time since 2012 the G-Men have been shutout, which is never a stat you want to accumulate.
To play that type of football the Giants needed to win early, and avoid injuries. Instead, they came out 0-2 and decided to send some of their best players to rehab due to injuries. It happens, but the Giants organization with Eli Manning is one that can get wins over Dallas. He’s beaten them 11-20 if you count the playoff game. What players are you watching on the Giants defense to stop the Giants offensive attack?
James: Zack Bowman looked good in his 39 snaps against the Eagles. Put up a +1.9 PFF coverage grade. I have always said he could be a starter on a lot of teams in the NFL and it looks like the Giants will be looking for him to be just that this weekend against the Cowboys if DRC can’t go. Jayron Hosley in the slot is what really troubles me, though. How do you think this defense stops the Cowboys offense and where do you see weaknesses for Big Blue?
Will: Man weaknesses, they’re all over the field. It started in the offseason losing Will Hill. Now Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is pretty banged up with several nagging injuries. Jon Beason has had his own injury saga, while the team keeps trying to find the next man up. The trouble is, they’re only so much depth. Trumaine McBride being out for the year is just another GIANT loss for their chances of having a winning season.
In the NFL though James, you know as well as I do that anything can happen. If Tony Romo goes out there and tries to force a play, I can see the Giants catch an early lead and riding an emotional waive of passion and good cheer all the way to a GIANT win. I can see Larry Donnell being effecting against this defense and I’m interested in seeing what Odell Beckham Jr. is going to do now that he seems to think he’s going to be unleashed.
The Giants could surprise one and win, but no one will be surprised if the Cowboys beat down New York either. If the offense can’t keep pace and the defense can’t stop the Dallas weaponry, it could get ugly. But I think Giants Nation is under the impression that the team a has a legitimate chance just because it’s the Dallas Cowboys. James, do you hate the Cowboys?
James Of course I hate the Cowboys, especially if their offense humiliates Big Blue this weekend. But I’m no idiot, I recognize a good offense when I see one. The Giants are going to have to put their game face on to win this one and not play pass rush like their trapped in quicksand. On offense, the team should start with actually trying to block, that could help their chances. In your gut, can the G-Men get this W? And one more time, I despise, hate and loathe the Cowboys to the utmost degree.
Will I’ll put it like this, if the Giants score first, they’ll have a shot to win, but if the Cowboys get on the board early, even with a field goal… it could get ugly really fast.
Obviously, on any Sunday, either team can win in the NFL. For this game, the Giants need this win for their season, they’ll give it all they have, but Dallas is a damn good regular season team, just like Philly. It will be tough, same question for you.
James: I feel the Giants can win, but only if they firmly pull their heads out and play some physical old school style smash mouth football and just take it to the Boys’ like they stole something. And for Joseph Randle, he did, so it all works out.
Thanks for joining me today, Will and thanks you, Giants Nation for following along. No matter the debate on offense, one thing is sure, Giants fans around the BIG BLUE Earth want the New York Giants to proudly defeat the Dallas Cowboys in their own house.