ARLINGTON, Texas — The Giants lost their opener in 2007 and again in 2011 and won the Super Bowl after both those seasons. They also lost their opener a year ago to the Cowboys and ended up missing the playoffs by one game.
What happens tonight at AT&T Stadium in Dallas won’t necessarily be hugely significant in the dead of winter. But it could be.
“The playoffs start now,” defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka said. “If you want to make it there, you have to get there, starting day one.”
Thinking back to last year’s opening loss, Kiwanuka said, “That game counted, absolutely. You never know which game is going to be the one that you needed when you look back and we don’t want to be in that position.’’
Receiver Hakeem Nicks, hoping to bounce back from an injury-slowed 2012, insists this game is “definitely going to set the tone, especially in our division, let alone just for what we want to be this season, what we want to be known as.’’
Safety Antrel Rolle, a newly-anointed team captain, said his message to his teammates is “just to start fast. I think this will definitely set the tempo of our season, to get the bitter taste out of our mouth from last year and how we finished off.’’
A look inside the game:
BEST BATTLE
Cowboys WRs Dez Bryant and Miles Austin vs. Giants CBs Prince Amukamara and Corey Webster
Bryant was an absolute beast down the stretch last season, showing the immense ability everyone knows he possesses. Austin is healthy, which means he’s dangerous. Amukamara says he wants to be considered one of the best corners in the league, and Webster insists his horrid play last year isn’t a sign he’s on his last legs. This is quite a first test.
NO BUTTS ABOUT IT
Sure, changes along the interior of the Giants defensive line has imported what defensive coordinator Perry Fewell approvingly describes as “bigger butts’’ this season, but does the tonnage lead to more production against the run? This should be advantage Giants, as the Cowboys aren’t exactly a fearsome bunch with guards Ronald Leary (undrafted) and Mackenzy Bernadeau (former seventh-round pick of the Panthers) flanking rookie center Travis Frederick, the first-round pick from Wisconsin making his NFL debut.
NEW BIG D IN DALLAS
Gone is flamboyant Rob Ryan and his exotic 3-4 scheme, replaced as the Cowboys defensive coordinator by Monte Kiffin, the father of the Cover Two defense and one of the great defensive minds in football. Kiffin, best known for his work at Tampa Bay, most recently worked with his son, Lane, at USC, and the Giants have gone back to school to study some of what the Trojans did under Kiffin. It’s no great mystery as the Cowboys now use a 4-3 front and will be much truer to form than they were under Ryan.
“I mean, two years ago they were much different,’’ Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “In the last two years, you had a different regime which was totally committed to confusion, disguise, overload blitzes and pressures. Now you have a guy that has a little different approach.’’
LINE GAMES
Two players on the offensive line for the Giants will make their NFL starting debut: rookie Justin Pugh at right tackle and third-year James Brewer at left guard. Also, Kevin Boothe moves in at center from his more familiar left guard spot. All this juggling is needed because center David Baas is out with a knee injury and versatile David Diehl is out following thumb surgery. The Giants catch a big break that Jay Ratliff (physically unable to perform list) and Anthony Spencer (knee) are out, but DeMarcus Ware still is very much in, which always is an extreme challenge. Ware usually lines on up the right side, meaning he goes against left tackle Will Beatty, but you got to figure he will drift over and find a way to test Pugh.
NOT SO GREAT SCOTT
Unless David Wilson suddenly morphs into Earl Campbell, the Giants are going to need a second running back to do at least a little something with the ball. Less than a little something is what Da’Rel Scott has shown since he was a seventh round pick from Maryland in 2011. He’s got 11 rushing attempts in two years. Even though he had a nice preseason showing in New England, he almost certainly wouldn’t be around if not for Andre Brown’s broken left leg. Now Scott is the No. 2 running back, at least this week, as the Giants are expected to take a long look at signing a veteran after the first game.
Unless Scott shows there’s no need.
“I have a huge opportunity to let the organization know that we don’t have to bring in anybody yet,’’ Scott said. “So I just have to have my faith and prove to them that I deserve to be here and that they don’t need to bring anyone else in.’’
NO TIME TO LOSE
In some more fervent circles, this is bring viewed as something of a make-or-break game for Jason Garrett, who enters his fourth season as the Dallas coach with a record of 21-19. He’s coming off consecutive 8-8 seasons and has yet to make the playoffs. Considered a masterful play-caller, Garrett won’t be calling them this season, as that job goes to assistant Bill Callahan at the insistence of owner Jerry Jones. If the Giants leave town with a 5-0 record in Jones’ football palace, it won’t help quiet the swirl around Garrett.
PAUL’S PICK
Nothing good lasts forever. The Giants have to lose in Cowboys country at some point, don’t they? Perry Fewell’s defense probably needs time to gel and a full dose of Jason Pierre-Paul, so this is too much, too soon. Giants have playmakers, but reshuffled offensive line is a work in progress.
COWBOYS 30, GIANTS 20