Pregame analysis: Giants @ Boys
Giants at Cowboys
Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET (NBC), Texas Stadium
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=262568
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage NYG
Running backs: Advantage DAL
Receivers: Advantage DAL
Offensive line: Advantage DAL
Defensive line: Advantage DAL
Linebackers: Advantage DAL
Secondary: Advantage DAL
Pass rushers: Advantage NYG
Special teams: Advantage NYG
Depth: Advantage DAL
Coaching: Advantage NYG
Prediction: Giants = 20 Cowboys = 30
Giants Keys For Success
1. Locate outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware. Phillips plans to utilize Ware the same way he did Shawne Merriman last year in San Diego, lining him up all over the field and putting him in the best position to confuse and abuse the quarterback. The Giants will shift protection toward Ware but could struggle to succeed because Ware will move often before the snap. Center Shaun O'Hara must find Ware on every play and communicate the protection calls to his linemates. Manning also must keep his eyes on Ware and hit his "hot" receivers in a hurry if the protection breaks down.
2. Use more cover-3 schemes. New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would prefer to use a bump-and-run, man-to-man coverage scheme but lacks the capable personnel. Therefore, he will run more three-deep schemes, dropping a third defender deep to take away the downfield routes. This will limit the big-play possibilities of Cowboys wide receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn (if healthy) and tight end Jason Witten.
3. Utilize play-action fakes. Cowboys safeties Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin are talented but love contact and always are quick to sniff out the run and step up to deliver big hits. Manning should use plenty of play-action fakes in Week 1, hoping to catch Williams and/or Hamlin peeking in the backfield just long enough for wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer to get behind them for a big gain. Hamlin's job is to patrol center field and not bite on such fakes, but Manning is sure to test him and see if he has learned any new discipline.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Use more screen passes and draw plays. The Giants' new defensive scheme is more aggressive than the old one. The linemen are asked to shoot gaps with the linebackers attacking the line of scrimmage rather than reading and reacting. The Giants' defense was inconsistent in preseason, sometimes looking dominant and sometimes giving up big plays. The Cowboys will allow the Giants' linemen and linebackers to penetrate upfield and catch them off-guard with draw plays and screen passes, and there should be plenty of running room for Julius Jones and Marion Barber III.
2. Control the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys still use a 3-4 alignment, but Phillips' scheme is much more aggressive than Parcells' version. The Giants' offensive line is athletic but can get overwhelmed by aggressive defenses. The Cowboys will look to pierce the line and force running back Brandon Jacobs to stutter and/or make cuts in the backfield, preventing him from getting a full head of steam.
3. Use three- and four-receiver sets. Last year, the Cowboys used plenty of two-tight end sets with Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano, but expect a different approach in Week 1. The Giants' secondary got banged up in preseason and has limited depth. The Cowboys should take advantage by using three and four wide receivers to force the Giants to use substandard nickel and dime personnel. This should create mismatches everywhere in the passing game and further limit the Giants' ability to stop the run.
Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET (NBC), Texas Stadium
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=262568
The Edge
Quarterback: Advantage NYG
Running backs: Advantage DAL
Receivers: Advantage DAL
Offensive line: Advantage DAL
Defensive line: Advantage DAL
Linebackers: Advantage DAL
Secondary: Advantage DAL
Pass rushers: Advantage NYG
Special teams: Advantage NYG
Depth: Advantage DAL
Coaching: Advantage NYG
Prediction: Giants = 20 Cowboys = 30
Giants Keys For Success
1. Locate outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware. Phillips plans to utilize Ware the same way he did Shawne Merriman last year in San Diego, lining him up all over the field and putting him in the best position to confuse and abuse the quarterback. The Giants will shift protection toward Ware but could struggle to succeed because Ware will move often before the snap. Center Shaun O'Hara must find Ware on every play and communicate the protection calls to his linemates. Manning also must keep his eyes on Ware and hit his "hot" receivers in a hurry if the protection breaks down.
2. Use more cover-3 schemes. New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would prefer to use a bump-and-run, man-to-man coverage scheme but lacks the capable personnel. Therefore, he will run more three-deep schemes, dropping a third defender deep to take away the downfield routes. This will limit the big-play possibilities of Cowboys wide receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn (if healthy) and tight end Jason Witten.
3. Utilize play-action fakes. Cowboys safeties Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin are talented but love contact and always are quick to sniff out the run and step up to deliver big hits. Manning should use plenty of play-action fakes in Week 1, hoping to catch Williams and/or Hamlin peeking in the backfield just long enough for wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer to get behind them for a big gain. Hamlin's job is to patrol center field and not bite on such fakes, but Manning is sure to test him and see if he has learned any new discipline.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Use more screen passes and draw plays. The Giants' new defensive scheme is more aggressive than the old one. The linemen are asked to shoot gaps with the linebackers attacking the line of scrimmage rather than reading and reacting. The Giants' defense was inconsistent in preseason, sometimes looking dominant and sometimes giving up big plays. The Cowboys will allow the Giants' linemen and linebackers to penetrate upfield and catch them off-guard with draw plays and screen passes, and there should be plenty of running room for Julius Jones and Marion Barber III.
2. Control the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys still use a 3-4 alignment, but Phillips' scheme is much more aggressive than Parcells' version. The Giants' offensive line is athletic but can get overwhelmed by aggressive defenses. The Cowboys will look to pierce the line and force running back Brandon Jacobs to stutter and/or make cuts in the backfield, preventing him from getting a full head of steam.
3. Use three- and four-receiver sets. Last year, the Cowboys used plenty of two-tight end sets with Jason Witten and Anthony Fasano, but expect a different approach in Week 1. The Giants' secondary got banged up in preseason and has limited depth. The Cowboys should take advantage by using three and four wide receivers to force the Giants to use substandard nickel and dime personnel. This should create mismatches everywhere in the passing game and further limit the Giants' ability to stop the run.
posted by The Gryphon at 1:34 PM
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