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Here comes the boom! The NFL season has kicked off this weekend after seven months of offseason, and we’ll bring you live updates today of a huge NFC East game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, from 10.30am AEST.
Four weeks of preseason games are in the books, fantasy rosters are set, and starting lineups have been decided. Now it’s time for 256 regular season games to decide the best team in football.
Inside the massive AT and T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, both teams will have the opportunity to wash out the salty taste of last season, when neither team could make the playoffs (Cowboys 8-8, Giants 9-7).
The Dallas Cowboys, known as ‘America’s Team’, had a great year statistically that didn’t translate into victories.
Quarterback Tony Romo finished 3rd in the league in passing yardage, and tight end/security blanket Jason Witten had the most catches of any tight end in NFL history (110).
The New York Giants, Superbowl champions from the 2011 season, did not perform up to the level expected and were affected by constant injuries to starters.
On defence, the Giants were generous in giving up yardage but tightened up when opponents got to the red zone.
The last time these two rivals faced was in Week 8 of the 2012 season, in Dallas. The Giants took the lead early with a Jason Pierre-Paul interception return, and four field goals before Romo and the Cowboys could get the offense in gear.
Despite throwing four interceptions, Romo had a career day with 437 yards on 62 attempts (and a rushing touchdown) and brought the Cowboys in front midway through the fourth quarter.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning then secured his 20th comeback performance leading the Big Blue to another field goal, with the eventual score 29-24 to the Giants.
More recently, both teams have gone 2-2 in preseason action (not counting the Cowboys involvement in the Hall of Fame game).
In the third preseason game (the most important) the Giants lost 24-21 in overtime to their intracity rivals (the Jets), where Manning visibly struggled, not able to complete even 50 percent of his passes (72.4 QB rating in preseason).
The Cowboys handled the Bengals 24-18, and Tony Romo looked great, throwing his first two touchdowns of the year and finishing with a 123.3 QB rating throughout the preseason.
Dallas also have star linebacker Sean Lee back from injury and performing with an interception and sack against the Bengals.
On the injury front, Giants backup running back Andre Brown suffered a leg fracture in the final preseason game and therefore New York have all their eggs/carries in the David Wilson basket.
Wilson topped the NFL in kick return yardage last year but has yet to develop as a running back (although he has a healthy 7.5 YPC average in preseason).
The latest injury report had a few concerns for the Giants – receiver Victor Cruz and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul were listed as limited participation, but should be able to go.
Cowboys defensive end Anthony Spencer wasn’t able to practice and looks unlikely to play.
The New York Giants have never lost a game at the AT & T Stadium (opened two seasons ago) – perhaps it’ll be fifth time lucky for the Cowboys.
Follow along on the Roar for live commentary from 10.30am AEST.
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