New Giants coach John Harbaugh criticized the team's pass protection after quarterback Jaxson Dart was sent to the medical tent during the exhibition opener, highlighting the need for improvement before facing the Dallas Cowboys, who had the highest pressure rate on quarterbacks last season.
New OC Matt Nagy wants QB Dart to take more snaps under center, moving away from his previous shotgun use, which could be challenging given the pressure from the Dallas front that had a high pressure rate last season, while projections estimate Dart will rush for 32 to 36 yards.
Pickens was rated 10th by PFF in 2025 for his performance against zone coverage and scored six of his nine touchdowns last year against zone defenses, making him a strong candidate for at least one touchdown in Week 1 projections.
New tight end Isaiah Likely has signed a three-year deal and may become the No. 2 option in a promising passing game, particularly after building a strong rapport with quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Last season, Dallas and New York had a combined record of 26-8 on first-half Over bets, with Dallas achieving a 16-1 record and leading the NFL in first-half scoring at an average of 31.9 combined points.
The New York Giants allowed 25 touchdown passes and -0.02 EPA per pass last year, with CeeDee Lamb recording 112 yards on nine catches in their first meeting.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart recorded at least 32 rushing yards in eight of his 12 starts last season and achieved seven games with 48 or more rushing yards, while Dallas's defense ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed to opposing quarterbacks.
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