Cowboys at Giants: 5 Keys To Season-Opening Win

Dallas Cowboys football is finally here, and the NFC East matchup against the New York Giants is the first item on the menu, with MetLife Stadium awaiting.

With the Cowboys having a rather uneventful offseason, aside from the past week where the franchise has lost both Tyler Smith and Malik Davis, Dallas comes into this with confidence.

Oh, and it will be the first time we get to see Christian Parker's defense.

We know Dak Prescott's record against the Giants (14-3), but how can he and the Cowboys make sure that the season begins with a win?

By doing these five things.

1 - Curb the emotion:

We know the Giants will be roaring to begin the game, as the John Harbaugh era begins at MetLife, so Dallas could be walking into a buzzsaw here.

Don't get caught up in the emotion and get overwhelmed.

No silly penalties early; get settled and allow the game to come to you, and when a chance presents itself to make a play, make it. We've seen teams get caught up in the emotion of a Week 1 game and get blasted in the opening quarter.

Don't let that happen.

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2 - Get the dynamic duo rolling:

If Dallas is to win, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will have a huge say in it.

Greg Newsome stated he thinks the Giants have the best cornerback room in football, so why not test that?

Get a few easy passes to CeeDee and George to get them into a rhythm and let them fly around.

New York can't stop both of them.

3 - Stop the Giants' run game: 

One thing we know about Harbaugh teams is they love to run the ball, and in Cam Skattebo, they have a true battering ram at running back.

The Cowboys can't let him run wild. 

Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, DeMarvion Overshown, and Dee Winters, I'm looking at you to clog up the rushing lanes and give the Giants nothing on the ground.

This is a true test for Parker right off the bat.

4 - Capitalize on red zone trips:

For all of the good Dallas did last season, scoring when in the red zone wasn't one of them, ranking 16th.

Against the Giants, the best way to silence the home crowd is to score touchdowns, and you have the weapons to do so.

Pickens, Lamb, Javonte Williams, Ryan Flournoy, and Jake Ferguson should all be looking to get in on the action.

The Cowboys have to convert here.

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5 - Don't get beat by what you know:

And what do I mean by that? Jaxson Dart loves to run when a play breaks down.

The Cowboys can't overpursue in the search for sacks, as Dart will simply slip out and pick up big yards with his legs.

Rush lane integrity will be key here. Keep Dart in the pocket and force him to beat you with his arm.

We know he's a lethal runner, so don't allow yourself to get beaten by what you know could be coming.