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Predicting the Cowboys X-Factor player of the game against the Giants on Monday night

On the big stage under the lights, which player will shine the brightest?

NFL: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It’s almost time for some Dallas Cowboys football as we’ll finally get to see them back on the field when they take on the New York Giants on Monday night. When Dak Prescott entered the league, the Giants had his number. The Cowboys went 13-3 his rookie season, but two of those loses came courtesy of the Giants. Since then, however, Prescott and company have yet to lose to the Giants as they are currently riding a five-game winning streak.

For them to make it six in a row, they’re going to need to make some big plays in Jersey, but who will be making them? Some front-page writers offered up guesses as to which player will be this week’s X-Factor.

Michael Strawn - Jason Witten

Last year in New York, Blake Jarwin exploded for the biggest game by a tight end in Cowboys’ history. Look for Witten, Jarwin and (dare I say it) Dalton Schultz to make some big plays and combine for 100+ yards and a couple touchdowns.

Matt Holleran - Michael Bennett

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones loves to hold the football, and leads quarterbacks with eight fumbles lost this season. Bennett will be able to get pressure through the interior of the New York offensive line, sacking Jones and forcing a fumble that Dallas will recover and turn into a touchdown.

David Howman - Xavier Woods

He’s flashed some ball hawk tendencies in the past and it finally manifested into a pick against Philly. Facing a rookie QB who already has trouble with ball security, I’m looking for Woods to have a big game.

Tom Ryle - Antwaun Woods

The Giants offense is now forced to ride on the legs of Saquon Barkley as Daniel Jones is undergoing a predictable rookie struggle, aggravated by a shortage of offensive talent around him. Barkley is the one real weapon. The key to stopping the G-men is to keep Barkley under control, and the place that all starts is in the middle. If Woods and the rest of the interior linemen can keep Barkley from busting up the middle, the rest of the defense should be able to hold him in check to the outside. That forces New York to put the game in Little Eli’s . . . uh, Jones’ hands. And that is right where the Cowboys want it to be.

Michael Sisemore - Jourdan Lewis

Not only does Lewis need to be on the field more but he’s the one defensive back with proven playmaking ability. Every time Lewis has had the opportunity, he’s made the most of it. If the Cowboys secondary cannot hold it down, the Giants will have the weapons at Daniel Jones’ disposal to beat them. Jourdan Lewis can be a very effective weapon to counter what the Giants want to do offensively. If timed properly, Lewis can blitz and bait a rookie quarterback into mistakes. The Cowboys need Jourdan Lewis to attack the Giants offense any way he can.

Danny Phantom - Michael Gallup

I still can see the Cowboys second-year receiver galloping down the middle of the field for a 62-yard gain the last time he faced the Giants. Gallup had a career high 158 yards on that day. While it looked like this was going to be the beginning of a big year for Gallup, he’s cooled off quite a bit. He hasn’t eclipsed 50 yards in each of his last two games. The Giants defense is just what the doctor ordered to get his mojo back. With all the attention paid to Amari Cooper to keep him from going off, this could leave just enough of a crease for Gallup to get on his horse again.

Who do you got as you X-Factor player?

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