It should be a national holiday. Sure, we just had Labor Day two days ago but America already has the fewest holidays, so adding another one wouldn't hurt. I am speaking of the opening of the NFL season. For the next 21 out of 22 Sunday's myself, and many others will have plans. Anyone that knows me understands what a sports fanatic I am, but my love for football is well beyond the love I have for any other sport.
Enough about my fandom, time to talk about tonight's game. The Cowboys pick up where their 2011 season ended, at MetLife Stadium. Last year they lost their season finale at New York in a win or go home game. Despite the Giants sweeping the season series last year, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones couldn't stop himself from flapping his gums. Jones spoke of how the Cowboys were going to kick the Giants asses when they played them this year. If they do kick the Giants asses they will be doing it minus TE Jason Whitten and Jay Ratliff. However, Romo will still have some weapons, including Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and DeMarco Murray in the backfield. The Giants pass rush has given the Cowboys fits in recent history and that will be a major factor to watch. Will Romo have any time to throw the ball?
Eli Manning and the Giants have some new parts on what was an efficient offense last season. David Wilson will make his debut at running back and will likely get a fair share of the workload with Ahmad Bradshaw. Hakeem Nicks is healthy just in time for the start of the season, and Victor Cruz begins in his quest to prove that he isn't a one year wonder. They will be going against a new look Cowboys secondary, featuring free agent signing Brandon Carr, and highly touted draft pick Morris Claiborne.
Defending Super Bowl champions have not lost their opening game since 1999. Even if the Cowboys weren't missing some key pieces I wouldn't be high on their chances of going into Jersey and getting a victory. It will be a tightly contested game, and one that I think the defenses will shine more than the offenses. In the end, the difference will be the Giants pass rush, as they won't allow Romo to get on track.
Prediction: New York Giants 23, Dallas 17
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