The 2012 NFL Season kicks off tonight with one of the better matchups you could ever ask for. The Dallas Cowboys and defending super bowl champion New York Giants have been trading words and talking reckless towards each other for months now.
Tonight all the talking shall cease.
Here’s a preview, and a few matchups to look forward to.
1. Secondary Upgrade
The Cowboys forked over $50 million cash to Brandon Carr and move up eight spots in the draft to select Morris Claiborne for this exact moment right here.
Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz have destroyed the Cowboys secondary lately. Who can forget Cruz catching a short out last season against Terrence Newman and taking it almost 80 yards for a touchdown moments later. Carr let it known there will be no ‘Salsa Dance” on his watch. If the rookie and Carr can hold down the fort, the battle swings the Cowboys way.
2. Go Go Speed Racers
It is essential for the Cowboys embattled offensive line to hold up and stand its ground against the Nascar Speed rush the Giants will attack with. Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Stuck, Chris Canty, and Osi Umenyiora will line up out wide and come in waves after Tony Romo.
Tyron Smith will line up at left tackle but he can’t be everywhere. It will be essential for Doug Free to hold down the right tackle spot and for the middle of the Cowboys offensive line to give Romo some time.
3. The Bryant Rules
With tight end Jason Witten probably doubtful, and Miles Austin babying his hamstring, Dez Bryant must get busy tonight against a banged up Giants secondary.
The Giants will line up with Corey Webster and Jayron Hosely at corner to start out with. Bryant can make everyone forget about him being on time out for one evening if he can step up and dominate corners he should have the upper hand on.
4. Run DeMarco Run
The Cowboys have waited years to display what Merrill Hodge refers to as a factor back. DeMarco Murray is that running back. He needs to be a factor. He doesn’t necessarily need to run for a hundred yards. He does need to make the Giants front 7 respect him and be weary of him. The Cowboys offensive front must find Murray holes and must show the Giants defense as a whole that the running game is apart of their offense.
I think the Giants have all the advantages in this one. The Cowboys are banged up, Its opening night at home, a Super Bowl banner will go up, and psychologically they are in the Cowboys heads.
Dallas needs to survive the early wave of emotion and prove to the Giants that they can walk all of the talking they been doing in Valley Ranch.
It is essential for Tony Romo to remain upright and develop some confidence against the one team I think gives him nightmares.
My only prediction for this one is that it will be a crazy opening night.
Enjoy people.