Expectations, understandably, are rising this season for each the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants forward of their opener beneath the “Sunday Night time Soccer” lights in East Rutherford, N.J.

Dallas has one in all its most gifted collections of gamers in latest reminiscence and needs to keep away from underperforming within the playoffs, in proprietor Jerry Jones’ eyes. New York arrived on the playoff scene forward of schedule final yr and is bringing again the identical core with some enhancements on either side of the ball.

Each groups should take care of the Philadelphia Eagles, who beat them out for the NFC East title on their strategy to a Tremendous Bowl look a yr in the past. On Sunday, they only should take care of each other.

“All of the divisional video games are actually massive, and a matchup with a variety of custom and historical past,” Giants quarterback Daniel Jones stated. “Yeah, it is a massive deal, however it’s about what we do, it is about how we play and taking good care of our enterprise first.”

New York began final season 7-2, stumbled down the stretch, ultimately made the playoffs and beat the Minnesota Vikings within the wild-card spherical earlier than dropping to Philadelphia.

The Giants determined Daniel Jones had confirmed himself as their franchise quarterback and locked him in for $40 million per yr over 4 years. Then they settled a rift with star operating again Saquon Barkley by giving him a one-year pact value as much as $11 million, following Barkley’s greatest season since his rookie marketing campaign.

The Giants added inside linebacker Bobby Okereke and traded for Arizona linebacker/security Isaiah Simmons, who’s but to reside as much as his potential as a former eighth general draft choose. Rookie vast receiver Jalin Hyatt and veteran tight finish Darren Waller will give Jones extra to work with within the passing recreation.

“Like I’ve stated earlier than, rising up in a home with my dad and mom, NFC East followers, I do know the historical past,” Waller stated this week. “I understand how heated and aggressive these video games have been through the years and I do know what I am about to step into on Sunday. I’m honored to take the sector.”

Followers of these different NFC East groups relish the truth that it has been 27 years and counting because the Cowboys gained a Tremendous Bowl — and even reached an NFC Championship Recreation. Final season, Dallas by no means misplaced consecutive video games however fell to San Francisco within the divisional spherical.

“It means a lot to have the entire thing come collectively within the playoffs whenever you acquired a crew like that and lift its degree of competitiveness, increase its degree of execution, increase its degree of depth and play playoff soccer,” Jerry Jones, now 80, stated in a radio look on 105.3 The Fan. “That is what I need.”

Regardless of a shock commerce for Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers late final month, the Cowboys are once more rolling with Dak Prescott because the beginning quarterback. He was criticized for throwing 15 interceptions a yr in the past, however the Cowboys are assured he’ll “personal” a revamped offense with head coach Mike McCarthy taking up play-calling.

Tony Pollard is RB1, with Ezekiel Elliott going to New England. The Cowboys locked up guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs, among the many greatest at their respective positions, they usually’re buoyed by a defensive entrance seven led by linebacker Micah Parsons and defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence.

“Nobody’s finished something. It is the primary recreation, so there actually are not any comparables,” McCarthy stated. “There’s status primarily based on what you probably did final yr. Doesn’t suggest a lot. … Execution is clearly the important thing.”

The Cowboys have gained 11 of the previous 12 conferences with the Giants, together with one other prime-time go to to New Jersey final September, a 23-16 Monday night time victory.

Dallas offensive lineman Tyler Smith (hamstring), security Donovan Wilson (calf) and defensive finish Sam Williams (foot) missed Wednesday’s observe. Seven backups had been restricted for the Giants, together with WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee).

—Discipline Stage Media