Cowboys-Giants: Five things to watch

The evolving Dallas Cowboys will be seeking their third consecutive season series sweep against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Dallas won the first meeting in the season opener 27-26 when Tony Romo rallied the Cowboys from a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes.

Romo will not be available as he rehabs a broken collarbone. In fact, the Cowboys are working on their third quarterback as Matt Cassel replaces Brandon Weeden in the lineup.

1 Cassel debut

The story over the bye week centered on a quarterback change. The Cowboys announced they were going with Matt Cassel in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Cassel has had success in his career, but hasn’t had much of late. Still, the Cowboys are banking on him keeping the team’s championship aspirations alive until Romo is healthy.

2 More C-Mike?

The Cowboys haven’t gotten the running game going. They clearly miss DeMarco Murray, and they could look to get Christine Michael more involved as the season wears on. They acquired Michael in a trade with Seattle last month but have only given him two carries to date.

3 Improved pass rush

Rookie Randy Gregory returns after being sidelined with a high-ankle sprain in the season opener. That should boost a pass rush that has already been replenished with Greg Hardy joining the mix in Week 5 against New England. The Cowboys have eight sacks in their past two games.

4 Takeaway talk

The defense has three takeaways this season, way behind its pace from a season ago when Dallas was second in the league with 31. Coach Jason Garrett feels the defense has created opportunities for takeaways and it’s just a matter of time before the Cowboys start capitalizing on them.

5 Road warriors

The Cowboys were the only undefeated road team in the NFL last season but saw what had become a 10-game road winning streak snapped in a Week 4 loss at New Orleans. The Cowboys pride themselves on winning on the road. New York might be a good spot, considering Jason Garrett-led teams are 4-1 against the Giants on the road.

This story was originally published October 24, 2015 at 10:56 PM with the headline "Cowboys-Giants: Five things to watch."