That will have to change Sunday, especially with a 40-year-old statue at quarterback. Despite losing Strahan and Umenyiora, the Giants amazingly haven’t missed a beat, leading the league in sacks while owning the NFL’s third-ranked defense.
Once again, the key to victory will take place in the trenches, as the Dallas offensive line will attempt to slow down one of the most feared front fours in the business. Game-within-a-game matchups deserving your attention are Justin Tuck vs. Marc Columbo, Mathias Kiwanuka vs. Flozell Adams, and how often Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins collapse the pocket against the enormous interior of the Dallas O-line, led by Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis.
Just like in last year’s Divisional round, this game will most likely be determined right here—in the trenches.
The Plaxico Burress Saga
What else can a wide receiver ask for? A Super Bowl winning team...check! A franchise quarterback throwing you the ball...check! A new contact extension making you one of the highest-paid players at your position...check!
Apparently all of this is not enough for Plaxico Burress. As the Giants prepare for this week’s showdown with Dallas, Burress’ selfish attitude remains a hot-button issue in New York. Since his Week One outburst, when he caught 10 balls for 133 yards, opposing defenses have managed to limit Burress’ production.
In the five games since, he’s averaged less than four catches and 45 yards receiving per game. He served a team-imposed suspension in Week Five for breaking team rules and has not necessarily been pro-Giants these days when speaking to the media. These are the antics that made him expendable in Pittsburgh.
The Giants already purged their team of one malcontent, shipping Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans. Is Burress next? With the Giants straight-edge operation clearly clashing with their star receiver’s poor attitude, something needs to happen to get this relationship back on track—cherry-picking a few touchdowns against a banged up Dallas secondary should do the trick.
Sunday afternoon these two fierce rivals renew acquaintances for the 93rd time. The Giants hold possession of one thing the Cowboys are looking for—a Super Bowl title. And the Cowboys hold possession of the one thing that eluded the Giants a year ago—the NFC East title.
With Romo and a slew of other Cowboys expected to return following their Week 10 bye, a win Sunday would officially get Dallas’ season back on track. For the Giants, nothing would be sweeter than to send the once-sexy-Super-Bowl-pick Cowboys back to Dallas with another loss and three full games back in the NFC East.
PREDICTION: New York 27, Dallas 16
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