The BTB writers who weighed in on Cowboys Vs Giants were broadly on the Dallas side, with one prediction landing on a 27-19 win for the Cowboys in the MetLife Stadium opener. It is a divisional game with enough uncertainty around both teams to make it feel far less straightforward than a simple pick-em.
That uncertainty starts with Dallas, where Tyler Smith will miss the game following thumb surgery, changing the shape of the offensive plan. It also extends to New York, where Malik Nabers' Week 1 availability remains uncertain. In a matchup that already points to the Giants' pass rush against Dallas' passing offense, those two details could shape how the game is played.
Why Dallas got the nod
One BTB writer admitted Week 1 predictions are "such a shot in the dark," but still expected the Cowboys to open a little more cautiously with Tyler Smith out. The same prediction called for the defensive improvements to show up, ending with a Dallas 27, New York 19 line.
Another writer took a similar view, saying the Cowboys are favored in the game and that history alone suggests Dallas have a high probability of winning. The added caveat was that the Christian Parker-led new-look defense could end up being the part that "makes or breaks the night."
That is a fair way to frame it. Dallas allowed 4,735 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns last season, so the defensive side of the ball has to look better if they are going to justify the expectation around them.
The Giants can still make it uncomfortable
The clearest warning for Dallas is New York's pass rush. Brian Burns produced 16.5 sacks last season, while the Giants recorded 48 sacks as a team, so there is obvious pressure on the Cowboys' blocking unit from the first snap.
The other key Giants threat is Jaxson Dart. Last season, he rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie, and one BTB writer specifically identified Dart and his scrambling ability as the area Dallas must be prepared for.
That matters because Dart has already shown he can hurt Dallas. In last season's 34-17 win over the Cowboys, he completed 22 of 32 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. If New York can recreate some of that balance, the opener becomes much tighter than the prediction suggests.
What Dallas and New York are really trying to prove
For the Cowboys, this is about showing that the offensive and defensive issues from last season can be corrected quickly enough to survive a difficult road opener. For the Giants, it is about proving that a team that won only four games last season can look more competitive under a new coaching staff.
There is also a run-game angle. The Giants surrendered 2,470 rushing yards last season, while Javonte Williams ran for 1,201 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns for Dallas. If Dallas can create enough balance without Tyler Smith, that could take some of the strain off Dak Prescott and keep the game moving in their direction.
The forecast at MetLife Stadium is warm and humid, which only adds another layer to a Week 1 divisional game that already has enough variables. The writers' prediction leans toward Dallas, but the matchup issues suggest this is the kind of opener where one key injury, one pass-rush surge or one big scramble from Dart could quickly change the tone.
