By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - A good start is what is on the line this time when the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL season opener.
The stakes were much greater the last time the NFC East foes faced off to close the last regular season. New York won to claim the division title en route to the Super Bowl title. Dallas was left out of the postseason.
On Wednesday night at MetLife Stadium, the winner will take the early upper hand in the divisional race.
For Eli Manning and the Super Bowl champion Giants, this will be a chance to silence the critics and detractors who have sounded off repeatedly after they beat the New England Patriots in Indianapolis in February to claim their second title in five seasons.
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