New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 3 reasons for optimism

The New York Giants will play their second game of the season on Sunday, traveling on the road against a division rival just as they did in Week 1. This time, the Giants will head to AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys.

Both teams are coming off losses to NFC East opponents in Week 1, and are desperate to avoid an 0-2 start.

Not all losses are created equal, however. The Cowboys went toe-to-toe with the Philadelphia Eagles in their opener in a game that was probably a lot closer than anyone expected. Meanwhile, for the Giants, they struggled to move the ball down the field, and between the offensive line and the quarterback play, it felt like the same old Giants.

With the crucial game for both teams, here are three reasons for optimism ahead of the Week 2 matchup.

No more Micah Parsons

Just a week before the start of the season, the Cowboys traded away their best defensive player and possibly the most talented player on the entire team. The Giants' offensive line struggled against the Commanders' front seven in Week 1, and as much as the offensive line may be a concern in Week 2, the Cowboys most certainly do not pose the same threat after moving on from Parsons.

A better matchup for the Giants' offense?

The Giants' offense really struggled to move the ball down the field against the Commanders, and in their lone two trips to the red zone, couldn't move an inch. The Cowboys' defense played well against the Eagles in Week 1, but given the talent level of the defense on paper, they may have a tough time keeping up their success.

The Giants should be able to put a few chunk plays together in Week 2, as the Cowboys gave up a few plays of 20 yards or more in Week 1. Expect New York to have better success in Week 2, particularly the connection between Russell Wilson and Malik Nabers.

Cowboys' ground game

The Giants' defense gave up way too many yards on the ground last week. However, Dallas does not pose the same threat, and they do not run the ball nearly enough with the strength of their team built around their two stud receivers.

The Giants' defense will have a unique opportunity to boost its confidence against a pass-happy team and limit the Cowboys' rushing yards in Week 2.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 3 reasons for optimism