New York Giants Vs. Dallas Cowboys: Monday Night Football Bold Predictions

We're less than 12 hours from the kickoff of the Giants-Cowboys clash on Monday Night Football, and it's time to take a closer look at two teams that seem headed in entirely different directions. 

For New York, this is a game to continue building on. After stumbling out of the gate, the Giants offense and defense appear to have found their rhythm, ripping off three straight wins since getting annihilated in back-to-back games early in the season. Right now, they're the hottest team in the NFC, and look to keep that momentum going this week.

Dallas, on the other hand, has looked out of sorts all season. After being a popular preseason Super Bowl pick, the Cowboys have struggled to a 1-4 record, and haven't looked very good along the way. They've been mistake prone on both sides of the ball, and could use a win to get their seemingly ruined season back on track. 

What can we expect from this matchup? Here are 10 bold predictions for Monday night's clash. 

10. The Cowboys Jump Out to an Early Lead

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys scrambles with the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Expect Dallas to be amped up and ready to go this week at home. They're eager to set the tempo early in the game, and if the offense can come out ready to go, a score on their first possession and a three-and-out or turnover on their first defensive possession seems probable. 

Don't be surprised to see the Cowboys jump out to a 7-0 or 10-3 lead in the first quarter of this one. 

9. Eli Manning Sacked 6 Times

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 13: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants gets sacked late in the game by Will Witherspoon #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium on December 13, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty I

Dallas' pass rush is formidable, led by outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware. The Giants' offensive line has struggled to find any semblance of consistency all season long, blocking well in some games and poorly in others. 

Against the onslaught of Cowboys' defenders this week, things might not go well for the Giants' blockers. Expect quarterback Eli Manning to find himself on the turf early and often this week, as Dallas' defense roughs him up a bit. 

8. Tony Romo Sacked 4 Times

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboy is sacked by Ray Edwards #91 of the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated t

For as shaky as New York's offensive line has been, Dallas' has been worse. They can't seem to stop anyone without getting called for holding, and they've been bailed out by quarterback Tony Romo's superb scrambling abilities numerous times this season.

Against a Giants' defense featuring plenty of athletic defensive ends, like Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, look for Romo's scrambling ability to be neutralized for most of the night, as the Giants add four more sacks to their season total of 21. 

7. New York Rallies Before Halftime

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants against the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

While Dallas will take the early lead, football games are four quarters, and New York's offense is too good to be kept down for long. Look for Manning and the Giants to rally in the first half, claiming the lead from Dallas before the end of the second quarter. 

The Cowboys' defense relies heavily on the pass rush to stop the aerial attack, as their corners and safeties aren't all that great this season. When Manning gets time to throw, look for the Giants' three-headed receiver corps to pick apart the Cowboys' defense, and the Giants will go into the locker room up 14-10. 

6. Tony Romo Throws 2 Or More Interceptions

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has thrown the fifth-most interceptions in the NFL this season, racking up seven turnovers in just five games. The Giants' defense has been a ball-hawking unit all season, picking off picking passes to rank them in the top 10 in the league.

With Romo's tendency to throw to the wrong team, and New York's tendency to pick off errant throws, don't be surprised to see them get at least two picks tonight. 

5. Felix Jones Fails to Crack 70 Rushing Yards

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Felix Jones #28 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes past defensive end Mario Williams #90 of Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Coming into 2010, Cowboys' running back Felix Jones was considered to be one of the most dynamic rushers in the NFL. He had big play potential every time he touched the ball, and as the go-to back in 2010, he was expected to have his breakout year.

However, Jones lost much of his explosive quickness by putting on muscle mass heading into the season, and has failed to crack the 60-yard plateau in all but one of Dallas' games. With New York's formidable run defense, don't expect him to break 70 this week. 

4. Dez Bryant Breaks 100 Receiving Yards

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass for a touchdown as Lito Sheppard #29 of the Minnesota Vikings misses the tackle during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapo

Dez Bryant might be the most talented wideout in Dallas right now, but the rookie has yet to get a chance to show what he can really do in 2010. With New York capable of closing down Miles Austin and Roy Williams, expect Bryant to finally get his chance, and to make the most of it. 

Facing nickel backs, or third corners all game, look for Dez to break the 100-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career, helping to keep Dallas in the game throughout. 

3. Hakeem Nicks Breaks 100 Receiving Yards

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks #88 completes a pass for a touchdown in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Nicks, a second-year wideout from North Carolina, has been Eli Manning's favorite target through six games, racking up more targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns than any other wideout in New York in 2010. 

With Dallas' secondary lacking cover corners, look for Nicks to have yet another big game this week, breaking the 100-yard mark by the time all is said and done. He's big, fast and has good hands, especially in the red zone, and with Dallas' substandard defense, he should find plenty of space to work in. 

2. Penalties Once Again Kill Dallas Down the Stretch

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 28: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys encourages his offensive line after a penalty was called on the play during a football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Houston won

The Cowboys have been plagued by holding penalties offensively and numerous genres of penalties defensively. The infractions seem to come at the worst possible time, and frequently kill drives before they can produce points. 

Look for that theme to continue this week against New York, as Dallas' lack of discipline comes back to haunt them once more. 

1. The Giants Will Win

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants passes against the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Giants have too much talent on both sides of the ball for Dallas to handle them this season. Even with the game in Cowboys Stadium, look for New York to weather the storm and snag a crucial division victory. 

Final Score: Giants 27, Cowboys 17.