Week 13: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

The Cowboys head into December with a game against their division rivals, the New York Giants. The Giants and Cowboys have been talking all week and they don't like each other, so you can bet that Sunday's game will be a good one.

The Giants have stumbled after a great start and are now 6-5.

Eli Manning has been playing through a foot injury and has been up and down in recent weeks, but back in Week Two he torched the Cowboys through the air going 25 for 38 for 330 yards and two TDs. He'll try to duplicate that this week although it may be difficult with the Cowboys' corners improving greatly since that game.

The Giants top three wide receivers all have at least 500 yards receiving and four TDs. Steve Smith (72 receptions, 869 yards, and four TDs) and Mario Manningham (42 receptions for 665 and four TDs) are both having great seasons and were a huge part of why Manning was so successful in week two. Third receiver Hakeem Nicks is also having a big rookie season with 32 receptions for 538 and four TDs.

The running game for the Giants is hurting as backup Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) is questionable and Danny Ware (concussion) is out for this week's game. That could leave Brandon Jacobs (174 carries for 683 yards and three TDs) and rookie Gartrell Johnson, who has 11 carries for 39 yards on the season, as the only backs for the Giants, limiting their offense.

The Giants defense has gotten healthy over the past few weeks but hasn't improved much in any games. They've given up at least 20 points in six straight games and 40 in two of those games.  Despite that, the Giants still have the fourth best defense in the NFL.

Linebacker Antonio Pierce is out for the rest of the season with a bulging disc in his neck but Chase Blackburn has been efficient in his place with 50 tackles and three for a loss. Linemen Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck are still scary bookends on the Giants' defensive line. They have nine-and-a-half sacks combined and seven tackles for a loss, however, Umenyiora will not start as the Giants feel he hasn't helped much in the run game. 

Former Cowboy Chris Canty will also start for the Giants in place of Fred Robbins as the Giants want to make sure they're not burned by the Cowboys three man running game.

The Giants secondary is fourth in the NFL in yards per game, giving up just 182.6 YPG. Corey Webster is the leader of the secondary and with Aaron Ross back after missing the first half of the season, it'll be hard for the Cowboys receivers to get open. Second year corner Terrell Thomas leads the team with four interceptions.

The Cowboys still remember the Giants ruining their home opener with a last second win and want revenge. Tony Romo wants it more than anyone as he took the blame for the loss as he threw three interceptions in their week two matchup.

Miles Austin wasn't a big factor as it was before his breakout game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Austin had just one catch for 20 yards in that game. He'll try to be a factor in this game. Jason Witten will also be a target as he's always performed well against the Giants. Roy Williams needs to make some plays in this game but he's been inconsistent all season.

The Cowboys will run in this game, a lot. They racked up 251 rushing yards as a team in the first matchup including Marion Barber's 124 yards on 18 carries. Felix Jones had 96 yards on just seven carries.

With Smash, Dash, and Tash healthy you can bet that Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett will be calling their numbers often, especially with the Giants defense being suspect lately. 

The Cowboys' defense has been doing a lot of talking this week and Bradie James has been at the front of the line. James wants redemption for Eli Manning signing the visitor's locker room after beating the Cowboys in week two.  

With the Giants line playing inconsistent of late, James, Keith Brooking (82 tackles, three sacks), and DeMarcus Ware (40 tackles, eight sacks) will be coming after Manning. Jay Ratliff will also be looking for Manning and Jacobs as the Cowboys also want to stop the Giants running game.

Look for the Cowboys to blitz more than they did in the first game as Manning has problems moving around on his injured feet.

The Cowboys' secondary has been playing solid lately and will want to continue that stretch. The Cowboys will have to stop Steve Smith if they want a chance to win this game. Manning loves to go to him, especially on third downs.

Terence Newman, Orlando Scandrick, and Mike Jenkins didn't play well at all in week two, but since then have worked out the kinks and look to be ready for this game. Alan Ball will make his third start at safety while Ken Hamlin is still nursing a sprained ankle.

Despite the Giants recent struggles, this will be a close game because both teams need it—bad. If the Cowboys can run like they did in week two, you can bet that Romo will not be throwing often; every time he threw in their first matchup the Cowboys were in trouble.

The Giants need to find their stride on defense. They can't stop anything right now and the Cowboys' defense is too good for the Giants to be successful in a shootout.

The Cowboys win this game just like they beat the Giants last December, with a solid running game and a defense that bends but doesn't break.  Romo will also make one significant play in the game that will benefit the Cowboys, besides that he manages the game and doesn't take many chances.

Cowboys 24-17.