Giants Game Day: Some Predictions For You

Aug 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass while New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin watches during the pregame warmup for their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Mollo, Staff Writer Says:

Prediction: Dallas 34 – Giants 20

Before you jump on me for this, remember: I did pick the Giants to have a winning record this season. I just don’t think they’ll win this one.

Why?

Well, in my mind, the number one thing the Giants have to do is stop big plays. Dallas has arguably football’s best playmaker in Dez Bryant, a consistent weapon over the middle in Jason Witten, and another deep threat in Terrence Williams. And that scattered mess of a backfield? Well, I don’t think it’s such a mess when a team has an offensive line like the Cowboys. The Giants can’t take Dallas’ talented if unproven running back corps lightly.

Over the past few seasons, it’s what’s been the Giants’ Achilles’ heel—those big plays.

I’m not saying they won’t be able to stop them as the season goes on, with Landon Collins (hopefully) improving his coverage skills and the Giants linebackers getting more comfortable in their roles. But I think with the makeshift group the Giants have at safety and two outside linebackers trying to learn a new defensive scheme, there will be some growing pains early in the season, and we’re going to see that Sunday night.

It’s why I think this game will be a little out of reach for the Giants. But it’s also why I think the score on paper actually won’t look as bad as it will look on the field. I think Dallas will get a score or two on some big plays—maybe a Dez Bryant 40-yard touchdown—and some back-breaking runs that the Giants will be able to stop later in the season. It’s those types of plays that really stretch the score, but when the game is done—for those who watch it—they’ll think it’s a closer game than the score indicates.

It’s what I think will happen Sunday night (sorry fans!!), and the big plays will be too much for Big Blue. But as the defense continues to glue and the offense starts picking up rhythm, I think we’ll see a pretty different team take on Dallas when Week 7 rolls around.

Next: Pete Vitella, Staff Writer, says