The Cowboys are Sporting News' pick to win Super Bowl 54, and they will start working on a favorable schedule when they host the NFC East rival Giants in the 2019 season opener Sunday. With running back Ezekiel Ellliot back — and expected to immediately resume a full workload — Dallas, which won the divison at 10-6 last season, will attempt to keep New York, coming off a 5-11 finish, buried in last place.
While the Cowboys will debut with Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott working with a new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, the Giants counter with Saquon Barkley in the backfield and Eli Manning remaining Prescott's counterpart over rookie first-round pick Daniel Jones — for now.
Both teams finished hot last season. While Jason Garrett is hoping keep up his success, Pat Shurmur has his work cut out for him with a rebuilding team. An important tone for the division race will be set in Week 1.
MORE: Get the latest NFL odds at Sportsbook Review
How to watch Giants vs. Cowboys
The Giants-Cowboys game will start at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday. It is Fox's late afternoon game of the week, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call. For those getting other games in their market, the game will be available on DirecTV's Sunday Ticket on channel 715 and on DAZN in Canada.
Betting odds for Giants vs. Cowboys
The Cowboys are favored, and the spread is holding steady at -7.5 at this point. The over/under is trending to 45.5.
All-time series
This will be the 115th meeting of the classic franchises. The Cowboys lead at 66-46-2. They have won four consecutive games in the series. The average margin of victory in those games has been 11 points.
Three trends to know
— The Cowboys are 4-2 against the spread in the matchup over the past three seasons.
— Only one game between the teams has gone over in those past six meetings.
— The Giants have been dominating the action this week 59 percent to cover and and 63 percent on the money line.
Three things to watch
The Zeke show
The Giants have done a good job to contain Elliott the six times they have faced him. He has averaged 21 rushes for 85 yards with only four combined TDs. The Giants' defense is weaker than the previous matchups in the front seven, however, and the Cowboys' offensive line is at full strength with healthy center Travis Frederick. Elliott may seen limited touches in the first half but should see those ramp up as Dallas tries to grind clock in the second half.
Sterling Shepard vs. Amari Cooper ... or Byron Jones vs. Janoris Jenkins
Shepard assumes with the role of the Giants' No. 1 wide receiver with Odell Beckham Jr. in Cleveland. With new No. 2 Golden Tate suspended, Shepard, now needing to play more outside, will likely face the top coverage of Jones. Meanwhile, Cooper can expect to see a rejuvenated Jenkins for much of the game. With some issues at safety on both sides, tight ends Evan Engram and Jason Witten could play pivotal passing game roles, especially in the red zone.
All eyes on Eli
Jones had an excellent preseason to think the rookie deserves to be in the starting lineup for Shurmur sooner rather than later. The pressure will be on Manning to produce (or at least not make big mistakes) to keep his job, or he will accelarate the ushering in of the Jones era, much like what happened with him behind Kurt Warner 15 seasons ago.
Stat that matters
The Cowboys were No. 7 in yards allowed and No. 9 in points allowed last season. The Giants were No. 24 and No. 23 in those categories. Dallas excels at bending but not breaking, while New York struggled in giving up too many big plays last season.
Prediction
Now that Elliott will be available it doesn't change the game plan much for the Cowboys. They still will be run-heavy and take advantage of chances to opening up the passing game for Prescott with shots to No. 2 wide receiver Michael Gallup. Barkley and Engram are tough matchups for Dallas, however, and that will keep New York in the game. Despite all his recent struggles, Manning always tends to make the Cowboys sweat, especially on the road. The Giants make it interesting until Elliott helps put away the game in the fourth quarter.
Final score
Cowboys 27, Giants 22
