Dallas Cowboys News: Dak Prescott, Offense Should Bounce Back Against Giants Amid Key Injury

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys struggled against the Carolina Panthers in their season opener of the 2018 NFL season. Because of key injuries and matchups, “America’s Team” could be much more successful on offense when they host the New York Giants on “Sunday Night Football.”

Much of the Cowboys’ success in recent years can be credited to one of the best offensive lines in the league. Without Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick, the unit struggled to protect Prescott in Week 1. A few holding penalties also stalled Dallas' drives and limited the team to just eight points.

Pro Bowlers Tyron Smith and Zack Martin didn’t perform like they have in previous seasons. Prescott was sacked six times by a formidable Carolina front-seven. Former All-Pro defensive tackle Kawann Short led the way with two sacks. Defensive end Mario Addison added 1.5 sacks after recording 11 sacks in 2017.

When the Cowboys return home, they won’t have to deal with a pass rusher as good as Short or Addison. The Giants recorded just one sack in their Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Olivier Vernon missed the opener with a high ankle sprain, and he’ll be forced to miss the upcoming NFC East contest.

Vernon was second on the team a season ago with seven sacks in just 12 games. Jason Pierre-Paul led New York with eight sacks, but he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason. Devon Kennard was third on the team with four sacks, and he’s no longer with New York either. That means defensive tackle Damon Harrison, who’s known for his ability to stop the run, is the returning sack leader after recording 1.5 sacks in 2017.

Veteran linebacker Connor Barwin and rookie Lorenzo Cain will look to fill Vernon’s shoes. Barwin had five sacks last season, though he didn’t record a single tackle in the opener. Carter had an assisted tackle and a pass deflection.

Dallas’ offensive line can bounce back from a disappointing Week 1 because they have a couple of proven starters. New York really doesn’t have any pass rushers that they can rely upon.

Prescott was terrific in his rookie season when he played behind the NFL’s best offensive line. He struggled in year No.2 when the unit wasn't completely healthy and Ezekiel Elliott missed six games with a suspension. The running back will be ready to go against New York, and Prescott should receive pretty good protection for most of the game.

Carolina limited Prescott to 19-29 passing for 170 yards and no touchdowns. The quarterback completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 600 yards, four scores and no interceptions in two games against the Giants last season.

The Cowboys are still lacking in wide receiver depth. Having Cole Beasley as his most reliable target won’t exactly make things easy for Prescott, and there will certainly be plays when he’ll have trouble finding an open man.

But the matchup of Dallas’ offensive line against New York’s front-seven should result in a bounce-back performance from the Cowboys’ quarterback.