NFL Week 1 Picks: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Wednesday, 9/5/12, 8:30 PM EST, TV: NBC
Opening Point Spread: New York -3
Current Betting Line: New York -4
Opening Total: 46.5
Current Total: 45
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The New York Giants will open up the 2012 NFL season against the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday night

Dallas will have revenge on its mind when taking the field inside MetLife Stadium in the 2012 NFL season opener, as it’s been eight-long months since it lost its regular season finale against its division rival. The Cowboys offensive line will need to do a better job protecting quarterback Tony Romo, as he was sacked six times in the 31-14 loss as three-point road underdogs on Jan. 1. Dallas has gone 4-1 ATS in its last five season openers, with the “over” going 7-2 in that situation.

Cowboys wide receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant should be ready to go, as both missed time during the preseason slate, while tight end Jason Witten is listed as questionable after suffering a slightly lacerated spleen on August 13 against the Oakland Raiders. If everyone hits the field, the offense has a great chance of improving upon last year’s numbers, ranking 11th in the league in averaging 373.5 yards per game. Don’t throw away your betting ticket if America’s Team is trailing heading into the final 15 minutes, as it registered an NFL-best 4-1 record in coming from behind at the start of the fourth quarter.

New York has won five of its last six games against Dallas, but trail in the all-time regular season series, 56-41-2. The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions and shouldn’t suffer much of a hangover from that accomplishment due to playing in such a high-profile affair. Quarterback Eli Manning was fantastic in this series a year ago, finishing with 746 yards and five touchdowns in the two victories. New York is 9-4-1 ATS in its last 14 September games.

Manning described the new-look Cowboys defense as being “vanilla” in its approach, but the first-team unit collected three interceptions during exhibition play. He definitely has some weapons to work with on the perimeter, with Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, while everyone in camp has been raving about Rueben Randle as well. It may be a pass-first option once again in the Big Apple, as running back Ahmad Bradshaw can’t be counted on due to being injury prone.