IRVING, Texas - The last time the Cowboys and Giants played, many thought it was the first September must-win game ever for the Cowboys, who, of course, lost, New York spoiling the grand opening of the new stadium in Arlington.
While the Giants won the battle, the Cowboys could still win the war. A victory in the Meadowlands on Sunday would uphold the Cowboys' NFC East lead, and put New York three games back with just four to play. A sixth loss this early would put the Giants' playoff hopes on life support.
What's Up?
After a 5-0 start, the Giants were meeting expectations. Following an off-season in which they beefed up their front seven, New York was seen as a legitimate contender for a Super Bowl. Through that five-game stretch, Eli Manning and his receivers were more than making up for the loss of Plaxico Burress, and the running game was everything it was advertised as, a perfect mix of thunder and lightning.
Well, things have changed, haven't they? Since that perfect start in the first five weeks, New York has only won once in its last six games, including a five-game losing streak. Most recently, the Giants were dominated by Denver, 26-6, on Thanksgiving night.
What makes Sunday's 3:15 p.m. (CST) game against the Cowboys so important is the tough road ahead. New York will face Philadelphia and Washington in its next two games before closing the season against Carolina and traveling to Minnesota to face a Vikings team that could still have something to gain.
Statistical View
While still having his best statistical season, Eli Manning has had a tougher go of it since New York's 5-0 start. To that point the Mississippi product had thrown 10 touchdowns against just two interceptions. In these last six games he's thrown as many TDs as interceptions (eight).
New York's inability to protect Manning has had much to do with his struggles, but then the quarterback's foot injury may be giving him trouble avoiding rushers. He was sacked only twice in the first five weeks, but has been brought down 15 times since.
The Giants defense has much to do with the team's downturn as anything, allowing almost twice as many points per game since the winning streak to start the season. A 16.2-points per game average in the first five games has risen to 31.7 per contest during the swoon.
So why the sudden drop off after five games? New York got fat against the likes of Washington, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Oakland in the first five games - only the Cowboys (8-3) have a winning record among their first five opponents, who now combine for an 18-37 mark. The next six opponents, New Orleans, Arizona, Philadelphia, San Diego, Atlanta and Denver are a combined 46-20.
All that begs the question about the current record of the Giants' next five opponents. It's 32-23.
Chalk Talk
Pressure on Manning will be one of the most important factors in Sunday's game. When the Cowboys beat the Giants 20-8 at Texas Stadium last December they sacked Manning eight times, but not once in the 33-31 loss earlier this year. The Cowboys hit Manning just twice on opening night at the stadium, and he responded to the lack of a rush by shredding the Cowboys for 330 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-38 passing. That can't happen again.
New York will undoubtedly throw some new wrinkles at Tony Romo, since their disguised coverages were in large part responsible for his ugly game. Though the Cowboys piled up 251 ground yards, Romo's 13-of-29, three-interception outing was too much to overcome. Throw in the Giants scoring off of Felix Jones' fumbled kickoff, and the Cowboys gave New York 24 points on four turnovers.
Connections
A fourth-round draft choice of the Cowboys in 2005, Chris Canty signed a six-year, $42 million contract with the Giants this off-season. After starting 48 straight regular season games at end in the Cowboys 3-4 scheme over the last three years, and two in 2005, he has moved inside to tackle at New York . . . Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was the backup to Kerry Collins when the Giants went to the Super Bowl in 2000, playing there through 2003 . . . Giants quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer had the same job with the Cowboys in 2006.
Miscellaneous
On Monday the Giants placed starting middle linebacker and defensive captain Antonio Pierce on the season-ending injured reserve . . . Pro Bowl fan voting leaders were revealed today, with DeMarcus Ware the only Cowboy leading at his respective position. The Giants have no leaders in the fan vote . . . A Cowboys win would give the team five straight winning seasons, six in the last seven years and 33 in the team's 50-year history.
Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS
Josh Ellis - 
