NFL Betting Preview: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
A big NFC East rivalry opens the season for both teams as the New York Giants travel to Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys. These teams are both coming off of disappointing seasons-New York won the Super Bowl in 2011 but dropped to 9-7 in 2012 and missed the playoffs. Dallas posted a mediocre 8-8 season and although team owner Jerry Jones insists that Cowboys’ coach Jason Garrett isn’t on the ‘hot seat’ there’s every reason to think that he is.
The Cowboys are still considered a ‘marquee team’ but they haven’t had much success lately and especially in the playoffs where they’ve one only one postseason game in the last 12 years. Perhaps the most problematic element of their play in recent seasons has been their somewhat inexplicable trouble playing at home. Cowboys Stadium is a state of the art modern facility that may be the most impressive stadium in all of sports but it hasn’t helped the team’s performance there. Dallas is on a 11-13 SU/6-18 ATS run on their home field. Tony Romo is once again being asked to prove that he’s an elite level NFL quarterback and does have a lot of playmakers around him. There is a decent amount of talent on the defensive side of the ball but the Cowboys are changing defensive schemes this season with 72 year old Monte Kiffin (formerly at USC where his son Lane is head coach) and installing a 4-3 defense.
Dallas has become pretty much an automatic ‘go against’ at home where they’re 3-13 ATS during the last two years. The Giants are a highly consistent team and there’s every reason to think they’ll rebound to elite level form under veteran coach Tom Coughlin. New York has been an excellent investment getting points going 10-3 ATS since 2011 in that role. The Giants have won and covered three of the last four meetings against the Cowboys and have won/covered three straight at Dallas. New York struggled mightily on the road near the end of last season so there’s a good reason to think that they’ll emphasize improved play away from home to get this season started off right.
BET NEW YORK GIANTS +3′ OVER DALLAS COWBOYS