Giants vs. Cowboys Week 2 Preview: Odds, QB Drama & Injury Impact
After a disastrous 21-6 season-opening loss to the Commanders in Week 1, the Giants brace for a road test against the Cowboys, with both squads eyeing a get-right game.
The loss exposed the Giants' offensive limitations and, frankly, questioned Wilson's effectiveness, as he struggled mightily, completing only 17 of 37 passes for 168 yards and no touchdowns. More importantly for the Giants, the offensive line was brutal, specifically in goal-to-go scenarios. Brian Daboll remains committed to Wilson as the Giants' starter, at least for this Week 2 Cowboys game.
The loss of linebacker Micah McFadden will significantly impact the Giants' outlook as they head to Dallas. His presence was greatly missed after a foot injury sidelined him early against the Commanders. The defensive line did not generate nearly enough pressure or create negative plays. The Giants' defense will look for cornerback Paulson Adebo to build on his Week 1 success by successfully shadowing Dallas star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, given the absence of McFadden.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, look to seek vengeance on a narrow loss in Philly that may have been worsened for the Cowboys by an untimely third-quarter lightning delay. Dak Prescott looked sharp, and the Cowboys very likely win that game if CeeDee Lamb does not drop multiple passes, given the Eagles' offense stalled in the second half with just three points.
The issue for the Giants is that, despite this game's rich history and status among the great rivalries of the game, they have not been competitive recently. Dallas has dominated the Giants, winning 15 of the last 16 games head-to-head. Dak Prescott has also been lethal at home versus the Giants, going 7-1 against them at AT&T Stadium (Jerry World).
The Giants fundamentally need better offensive line play in both pass protection and the run game if they want to compete with the Cowboys. They also need to get rookie RB Cam Skattebo far more involved in the offense, as his three carries and two receptions massively underutilized his versatility against Washington. Getting Skattebo an increased workload will give Wilson opportunities on quick passes and provide a more dynamic running attack to help his struggling offensive line and keep the Giants offense ahead of the sticks.
The Giants also need to get Malik Nabers his targets, as he poses the greatest matchup nightmare for the Cowboys. Daboll could go a long way in repairing his seemingly destroyed relationship with Nabers by feeding him the ball in an imperative game for the G-Men.