Dez Bryant is the best WR on the field between both teams.
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MICHAEL EISEN: Fiction -** Bryant is terrific, but when he's healthy, Hakeem Nicks is an elite receiver who is as good as almost anyone in the NFL. I'll take Nicks.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact - Dez Bryant is the most physically gifted wide receiver in football spare perhaps Calvin Johnson. His stats in the final eight games last year (50 catches, 800 yards, 10 TD's) is a good total for many receivers for an entire season. He could explode and have a historic season.
>> VIEW BREAKDOWN OF COWBOYS ROSTER
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction - Schmeelk almost had me convinced. I was going back and forth on this one, but I have to go with Hakeem Nicks. Even Victor Cruz is close because to me "best" always equates with consistency. Cruz is the only one coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. However, at the end of the day, I want Nicks on my team. Bryant might be the best fantasy option, but I'll take a healthy Nicks on the field in a big game.
David Wilson will return at least one kickoff vs. Dallas.
MICHAEL EISEN: Fiction - It's too early in the season to have Wilson return kickoffs when he's also the starting running back and doesn't have Andre Brown to relieve him. I think Michael Cox will return kickoffs. The Giants can turn to Wilson later in the season if he's needed in that role.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fact - Wilson can still be used on kickoff in the most important circumstances. Is there a more important time than a game against a division rival that is likely to be close? I think not. Michael Cox, however, could keep Wilson off the field if he has a couple big returns early.
>> VIEW GIANTS DEPTH CHART
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction -
I was championing Wilson to remain on kickoff return because of the boost in field position he can provide. He has the endurance to do both, but the equation changed when Andre Brown went down with his injury. The Giants have only three backs for now, and they can't afford to put him in both roles. Meanwhile, Michael Cox proved this preseason he is more than reliable back there on kickoffs.
Keeping Tony Romo in the pocket is the key to victory.
MICHAEL EISEN: Fiction - Romo can hurt you in or out of the pocket. The key is to apply consistent pressure and make him uncomfortable no matter where he is.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction - Romo can be just effective in the pocket as he is outside the pocket. The Giants need to get pass pressure up the middle, that's the key to slowing down the Cowboys attack.
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction - He can beat you both ways. The Giants-Cowboys games come down to big plays. It's whoever can limit them on defense and make them on offense that will win the game. The key is not letting his talented receivers get behind the defense.
The Giants will win if they allow less than 100 rushing yards.
MICHAEL EISEN: Fiction - The Cowboys are a passing team. They always want to stop the run, but the Giants can't get burned by Romo and his receivers.
JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction - It will certainly help but it won't guarantee anything. The Cowboys passing attack is prolific enough to win the game through the air. Last year they still won eight games despite rushing for the second fewest yards per game in the league.
DAN SALOMONE: Fiction - Their last meeting was bizarre all the way around. The Giants held Dallas to 19 rushing yards, but Romo passed for 437 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. As they hung on for the victory, the Giants made the Cowboys one-dimensional, but that one dimension almost beat them. Like I said above, it's about who makes the bigger plays – through the air, on the ground, or on defense.
