Giants vs. Cowboys | Week 9 Preview
The realistic fan sees this Monday night’s home game vs. the Cowboys as unwinnable. The hopeful fan thinks the Cowboys might be looking past their 2-6 opponents at what should be a walk in the park, hence setting themselves up for disappointment.
Who is right? That's why they line up to play the game, folks. And let's look at the two sides of the coin, starting with the hopeful side first.
We do know that the Cowboys’ offense made the Giants’ defense look like a minor league operation in Week 1.
The Cowboys had a good chuckle or two about it, too. That has undoubtedly been gnawing away at the Giants ever since.
If this Giants defense doesn’t come out breathing fire, we’d be stunned.
Alas, what the Cowboys exposed on opening day has become the norm rather than the exception ever since. This Giants defense continues to be consistent.
On paper, it’s a colossal mismatch. The Cowboys' offense is ranked Top 5 in practically every offensive category. The Giants defense is ranked at the bottom of the league in every defensive category.
The realistic fan sees Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott having perhaps his best season, with top-notch skill players, especially in the passing game and a running back in Ezekiel Elliott, who is primed for a big second half, and an offensive line that is still on top of its game.
The pessimistic fan probably won’t even watch the game.
The Giants will try to counter all this negativity with newly-acquired defensive lineman Leonard Williams lining up with the usual under-performing suspects.
Williams might not be a true difference-maker, but he’s really good at every phase. We’re especially curious to see how he impacts the pass rush.
He’s more mobile than any of the current interior players. Williams is long, strong, and athletic and seems a perfect fit for this defense’s defensive end position. If Williams has an impact, he could give this defense a lift and make others around him better.
Alas, Williams cannot cover the slot. Grant Haley has the heart but not the talent for it, and apparently, rookie Julian Love is either not yet ready or just as lacking (or both). It has been the play of the slot cornerback that has been a big reason why this defense cannot get off the field.
To stay with Dallas, the Giants defense must play with intensity and force turnovers.
If the Cowboys come out flat and play sloppy football, the Giants can hang with them.
But can the Giants force the Cowboys to play sloppy? We're not so sure, which leaves the offense to keep pace with an opposition that will likely move the ball at will.
It sounds hopeless, but it's not impossible. That’s why they play the game.
The good news is that the return of receiver Sterling Shepard gives quarterback Daniel Jones a full complement of receiving options. It isn’t as talented as Dallas’ skill group, but it’s solid.
Historically, a running game is the easiest way to stay with a more talented team. Dallas has been a bit vulnerable to the run. The Giants offensive line needs to accept the challenge that this offense will run the ball down Dallas’ throat.
They will also have to mix things up. We’d like to see Wayne Gallman, Elijhaa Penny, and the tight ends involved a bit more in the passing game. We'd love to see even Barkley, who needs to get the ball in space.
The realist will note that the Cowboys, who have come down to earth a bit after their fast 3-0 start, most recently routed the Eagles 37-10 to right their ship. They'll also see a Cowboys team that is coming off their bye, is well-rested and reasonably healthy.
But the hopeful fan will look at the fact that the Jets beat the Cowboys and realize that anything is possible.
So what needs to happen? First, fixing some of their pass defense deficiencies would help. Why the defensive coaches can’t get this secondary playing coordinated football is a mystery to us. Eight weeks in, and they look just as uncoordinated in coverage as they have all year.
There’s a talent deficiency sure, but it also looks like a coaching deficiency as well. That’s a lethal combination and a lot to overcome.
The Giants will need a little help from the Cowboys on Monday night, but they will also have to raise their level of play across the board and earn this win.
On the national stage, winning this game would make their season. We expect considerable effort. The question is, will it be enough to defeat the more-talented team?
The hopeful fan says, 'Hey, just ask the Jets!'
The realist says, 'Why bother even trying?'
But isn’t that the point? It’s why you play the game.
If you’re going to play it, you might as well win it, because … well, you never know.
