The Dallas Cowboys are set to open their season the same way they have for the previous four years- against the New York Giants. However, here is an important statistic- out of the eight times that the Giants have played the Cowboys in a season opener, they have lost every game.
Last season was close, as the Cowboys came back in the final minute to shock the Giants. The Gmen will enter this season stronger than last year after they revamped their defense by adding several key free agents during the offseason. The Giants have brought in defensive end Olivier Vernon from the Miami Dolphins, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, formerly of the Los Angeles Rams, nose tackle Damon Harrison, formerly of the New York Jets, and inside linebacker Keenan Robinson, formerly of the Washington Redskins.
Vernon should actively bring more pressure off the edge, while Jenkins will be a more reliable cornerback than Prince Amukamara. Harrison and Robinson should be effective run stoppers as the Giants look to combat the Cowboys running game. The Cowboys have made some alterations to their roster, as well.
Dallas has only added three new players to their roster but re-signed the majority of their free agents. The Cowboys landed Philadelphia Eagles starting defensive end Cedric Thornton, former Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris and former Tennessee Titan offensive lineman Joe Looney.
The Cowboys managed to re-sign tight end James Hanna, outside linebacker Kyle Wilber, cornerback Morris Claiborne, running back Lance Dunbar, defensive end Jack Crawford, left tackle Charles Brown, and cornerback Joshua Thomas. Dallas firmly believes in their roster and primarily wanted their own players back.
They did fill a gigantic need in adding Thornton, as it is pretty clear that Greg Hardy will not be returning. Dallas will look to add to their roster a bit more during the NFL draft, and with their fourth overall selection in the first round, the Cowboys are in a prime spot to get some quality playmakers.
Dallas is reportedly interested in running back Ezekiell Elliott and linebacker Myles Jack, but with the Los Angeles Rams trading up to the first overall spot, the Cowboys could be in line to get the top player on their draft board: Jalen Ramsey.
Ramsey is a cornerback/safety and can even play linebacker. He would also make a great defensive acquisition, especially since his first task will be to go up against Odell Beckham. If the Cowboys get a splash player like Ramsey to go along with all of New York's shiny, new defensive toys, this game has the makings of being one of the most watched games of the entire regular season.
