NFL Champion Giants Kick Off Season vs. Cowboys

Date/time: Wed, September 5th / 08:35:00 PM ET, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

The Dallas Cowboys are surely itching to get back at division rivals New York Giants in tonight’s NFL kickoff 2012 game at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Down and Dirty: Everyone remembers how the defending Super Bowl champions, Giants, clinched the NFC East title last year winning 31-14 over Dallas at home in Week 17. They then blazed through the Falcons, brought down the mighty 15-1 Packers in Green Bay and topped the 49ers in overtime for the conference championship.

To rub some salt in the wound, they went on to defeat the Patriots for the second time in five years in the Super Bowl, earning their fourth league championship.

This gives Dallas even more of a reason to win tonight’s season opener, they have something to prove. And, if they’re going to improve last year’s mediocre 8-8 record, clearly they have to hit the ground running.  Check all the available Odds on NFL at Sports Betting Online.

Notwithstanding the NFL referee lockout this year, the Cowboys’ main worry in tonight’s game has to be two time Super Bowl MVP, QB Eli Manning. Because if anything, Eli seems to keep getting better and better in his career; without question, he’s now considered among the league's elite after leading his team to two titles in five seasons. And, a third title could be just around the corner if he continues his stellar performance this year.

For the Cowboys to have a prayer in this game, they’ll need to step things up defensively. Dallas has rebuilt their secondary during the off-season (drafting Morris Claiborne, signing Brandon Carr and Brodney Pool); they’ll now be able to test this unit and hopefully stop Manning from connecting with Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks or Domenik Hixon down the field.

Offensively, Dallas appears to be as ready as they’ll ever be. Dez Bryant, who sat out the last two preseason games with right knee tendonitis, and Miles Austin, who didn't play at all after having hamstring problems last season and in training camp, are both expected to play tonight.

Tight end Jason Witten, who suffered a lacerated spleen in the preseason opener on Aug. 13, practiced on Saturday for the first time since the injury and hopes to be cleared for this match. Regardless, Dallas hired tight end Colin Cochart off waivers from Cincinnati and released third-string quarterback Stephen McGee as a precaution.

The Inside Scoop: There’s no question that New York seems to have to upper hand in this match; with so many offensive weapons in their arsenal, the Cowboys’ defense has a grueling uphill struggle ahead.

Eli Manning will undoubtedly move the ball around, using everything at his disposal to get the win. Even if the Cowboys do contain Cruz and Nicks, he can still go to Martellus Bennett in the middle or exploit the running game with DeMarco Murray and rookie David Wilson.

Both teams will come out a blazing, and both will likely do a good job. The Giants are the favorite to win at the current -4 spread; however it’s the Cowboys who are most likely to cover if you’re considering betting this game.

Game Odds:
Dallas Cowboys: +4-110, ML +165
New York Giants: -4-110, ML -185
Game Total: 45.5, o/u :-110