‘Sunday Night Football’ 2015 live stream: How to watch Giants vs. Cowboys online

The Dallas Cowboys surprised many in 2014 by winning 12 games. They won't have the element of surprise as they take on the division rival New York Giants to open their season Sunday night.

In the eyes of many observers, the Cowboys remain Super Bowl contenders. However, the team has undergone some important changes since the end of last season. Chief among those changes is the departure of All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray. In 2014, no one rushed for more yards than Murray (1,845), who at one point was on track to join the 2,000-yard club. In his place, the Cowboys plan to roll out Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and the newly acquired Christine Michael.

As for the other side of the ball, Dallas has added pass rushers Randy Gregory and Greg Hardy, though the latter is currently scheduled to serve a four-game suspension. In the secondary, Byron Jones arrives via the draft to improve a middling secondary. The Cowboys need him to prove a quick study, as top cornerback Orlando Scandrick will miss the entire season after tearing an ACL.

Meanwhile, the Giants hope that the West Coast offense installed by Ben McAdoo last year takes full flight in 2015. Eli Manning saw significant improvement once he grew comfortable in the system, completing a career high 63.1 percent of his passes. Now, with superstar wideout Odell Beckham Jr. on the perimeter, as well as (when he's healthy) Victor Cruz working the middle of the field, the Giants could have one of their most potent aerial attacks this season.