New York became the first team that went 9-7 in the regular season to win the Super Bowl, and Manning and other Giants have spoken during the offseason about the need to improve their record in 2012.
Coach Tom Coughlin is not focusing on defending the title, using the slogan "build the bridge" to try to carry the positive feelings from last season into this one.
One of the problems for Dallas last season was its inability to beat quality opponents, having lost its final seven games to teams that finished .500 or better. The Cowboys led the division with a 7-4 record before dropping four of five to close 2011, with two defeats to the Giants.
In Week 14, Manning rallied New York from a 12-point deficit in the final 3:14 for a 37-34 win at Dallas. Three weeks later with the division title on the line, Manning threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns and the Giants sacked Tony Romo six times in a 31-14 victory.
Dallas had the busier offseason, upgrading a secondary that was the culprit in so many late-game collapses. The Cowboys signed Brandon Carr to a five-year, $50 million deal from Kansas City and traded up eight spots in the draft to select fellow cornerback Morris Claiborne with the sixth overall selection.
The new-look secondary will be counted on to slow down Manning, who threw for 746 yards in the two 2011 meetings.
The Cowboys' running game should be bolstered by the return of DeMarco Murray, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first matchup against the Giants. Murray ran for 897 yards in 13 games as a rookie last year.
Manning threw for a career-high 4,933 yards a season ago and was aided by the stunning emergence of Victor Cruz, who was third in the league with 1,536 receiving yards.
Romo posted a career-best 102.5 passer rating a season ago with 31 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, but he's lost his last five starts against the Giants. He was sacked nine times in the two matchups last year, and the Cowboys' offensive line has been unsettled in the preseason.
The Giants managed to run for more than 100 yards in both matchups with the Cowboys last season, but those performances were hardly the norm in 2011. New York ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 89.2.
They'll look to improve this season behind veteran starter Ahmad Bradshaw, who's expected to get the bulk of the carries with Brandon Jacobs having departed, and flashy first-round draft pick David Wilson, who impressed in the preseason.
New Giants tight end Martellus Bennett will be playing his first game against the team that drafted him in the second round four years ago. Playing behind Witten, Bennett was a disappointment with Dallas before signing with New York this offseason.
This is the ninth straight year that the defending champion has hosted the prime-time opener the next year. The home team is 8-0.
Note: Jason Witten is not likely to play tonight.
Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings in New York.
Cowboys are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings in New York.
Cowboys are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
Underdog is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Cowboys are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Cowboys are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC.
Cowboys are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC East.
Cowboys are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on fieldturf.
Giants are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NFC.
Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on fieldturf.
Giants are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games in September.
Dallas beat Oakland, St Louis, and Miami in the pre-season. 3-1 in pre-season means little when it comes game-time. Tonight is game-time and the Giants are ready. Yes, Dallas made changes in an effort to stop Eli...all that tells me is Tom Coughlin will just run it down their throat. Giants win this one and i see the score going over the total. It's game one, mistakes will be made, get on the Giants and the over. Good Luck
NY GIANTS -3½-110
NY GIANTS o45-110
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