Sunday has the feel of a must-win game for the Dallas Cowboys (1-3), who ride a two-game losing streak entering their first matchup of the season against the rival New York Giants (0-4). Former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett returns to AT&T Stadium as Giants offensive coordinator, leading a unit without star running back Saquon Barkley that is averaging an NFL-worst 11.8 points per game. Dallas' defense surrenders a league-worst 36.5 points per game. So, one unit figures to see some improvement come Sunday afternoon. Here’s how our panel of columnists, insiders and special contributors sees the game playing out.
Tim Cowlishaw
It’s not going to be the offensive show that the Cowboys have provided — on both sides of the ball — through the first four games. As hard as it is to imagine a dominant defensive performance by Dallas, it’s tougher to picture the Giants without Saquon Barkley lighting up the scoreboard. Expect field goals and a struggle, but Dallas eventually using its big firepower edge to grab the victory. Cowboys 20, Giants 9.
Michael Gehlken
Sunday’s game script should provide a welcome change for the Cowboys, who have run an NFL-low seven offensive plays with the lead all year. They finally can conduct a four-minute offense, this after their running backs saw 21 carries during the second half of the last three games combined. Dallas has serious problems on its roster. There is little reason to expect New York to expose them consistently. Cowboys 31, Giants 13.
Damon Marx
The Cowboys always played hard for former coach Jason Garrett, who returns to AT&T Stadium as the offensive coordinator for the Giants. There were questions about the effort by this Cowboys defense, however, after last week’s home loss to Cleveland. If the Cowboys can’t get right this week against the lowly Giants, they’ll never get right. Expect an all-out effort by Dallas this week. Cowboys 30, Giants 16.
David Moore
Is there any game on the NFL schedule in Week 5 that has fans more excited than this one? OK, bad example. But come on, a dreadful offense vs. a dismal defense. You’ve got to acknowledge there’s a certain interest, like sitting down in front of one of those cheesy horror flicks at 2 in the morning that you can’t stop watching because it’s so bad. Luckily, this game starts a little earlier. Cowboys 35, Giants 17.
John Owning
The Giants are just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Cowboys squad. The NY offense may be one of the few units worse than the Cowboys' defense, and the Giants' defense doesn’t have enough talent to slow the Cowboys' potent passing attack. The Cowboys roll to a two-score victory vs. their overmatched divisional rival. Cowboys 28, Giants 13.
Kevin Sherrington
Jason Garrett’s first year as the new OC for the Giants isn’t exactly going as planned. Before he knew it, he lost Saquon Barkley, who would be the centerpiece just like Zeke Elliott was in Dallas. Now he’s averaging a league-low 11.8 points per game. Which means they ought to be able to double that against the Cowboys' defense, which still won’t be enough. Cowboys 31, Giants 21.
Jean-Jacques Taylor
The Giants might just be the NFL’s worst team. If the Cowboys can’t beat them — and beat them by a couple of touchdowns — this season is probably lost. The Giants have scored nine points each of the last two weeks. If the Cowboys don’t help them, New York can’t score. The Cowboys need a confidence-booster, and the Giants are the perfect opponent. Cowboys 37, Giants 20.
Calvin Watkins
This is the return of Jason Garrett. Will the Cowboys' defense slow down his poor offense? That’s the biggest issue in this game because we know the Cowboys can score. The Giants can’t score. Maybe they can against this inconsistent defense. We doubt it. Take the Cowboys in a rout because the Giants can’t stop this offense. Cowboys 35, Giants 10.
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