Giants-Cowboys: Game Preview and Prediction for Rematch in Dallas

N.Y. Giants (11-2) at Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

Three-Game Season Begins Against Bitter Rival

In last week’s Pittsburgh Steelers versus Dallas Cowboys preview, we called for a defensive struggle that would be decided by whichever team won the special teams and turnover battles. Five turnovers and 17 fourth quarter points by the Steelers later, the Cowboys snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and now stand in a precarious position to even make the playoffs.

The Cowboys out-hustled and out-willed the best defensive team in the NFL in their house for three quarters, only to see their 10 point lead disintegrate in the final 7:14 seconds of the game, losing a heart breaker 20–13 at Heinz Field. Dallas needs to regroup quickly, lest they let the Steelers beat them twice. With NFC East rival New York Giants coming to town and the season on the line, the Cowboys must regain focus quickly.

The Giants head to Dallas off only their second loss in the last 17 games, dating back to last year’s super playoff run, after falling to the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-14. Perhaps the week full of Plaxico Burress distractions finally affected the team, who seemed capable of winning no matter what team they played or what Giants personnel was missing that week. Giants coach Tom Coughlin, though, wasn’t ready to blame the loss on the media circus caused by Burress’ shooting himself in the leg. 

“We didn't play well,” he said. “We didn't play the way we had been playing. We're a better football team than that. As far as all those other things go, that's all speculation.”

Running Back Injuries

The Cowboys played last week without their top two running backs Marion Barber III (dislocated toe) and Felix Jones (IR-hamstring). Third-string rookie Tashard Choice made the Cowboys draft experts blush with a gutty performance on the road against the No. 1-rated rushing and total defense of the Steelers, gaining 166 all-purpose yards, by far the most of any individual against Pittsburgh all year.

The Cowboys were most excited about how Choice fearlessly attacked the blitzing Steelers linebackers' chests and also flashed exceptional hands in third-down passing situations. Barber is expected to return against the Giants and will get the start. But don’t be surprised to see offensive coordinator Jason Garrett leave Choice in on third-down situations, after proving himself capable in that role.

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs was averaging his usual 5.0-plus yards per carry against Philadelphia, before leaving the game in the second quarter with a knee injury. Jacobs says he is fine and could have returned if necessary. Jacobs also thought the loss could be a positive thing for the Giants. 

“We were getting cocky and sure of ourselves,” he said. “We needed this. Now we can go to Dallas and play our kind of football again.”

Better Effort with a Healthy Romo

When the Cowboys and Giants played back in week nine, the Cowboys seemed to concede defeat before they even got off the bus at the Meadowlands. Calling the matchup the week prior against the Buccaneers “the whole season,” the Cowboys played their least inspired game this year. 

With backup quarterback Brad Johnson throwing almost as many interceptions (two) as completions (five), the Boys rolled over and played dead, getting beat worse than the final score of 35-14 indicated. By contrast, with Romo in the lineup, in the two regular season games last year against the Giants, he completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 592 yards with eight touchdowns and only two interceptions.

Romo’s riverboat gambler style of taking risks and having fun playing the game earned him adoration from the fans and respect from his teammates. But, for whatever reason, Romo has been known to hang his head on the bench when adversity strikes this season.

Instead of feeding off Romo’s devil-may-care cockiness, the team seemed to be joining its emotional leader in his funk. Coming off a four-turnover game, clearly his worst of the season, Romo will need to find success early against the Giants and get his teammates and himself believing again. If Romo struggles early and starts hanging his head again, you can call it a season for Dallas.

Facing Steelers Football Philosophy Again

Last week the Cowboys faced Pittsburgh’s winning football philosophy that has worked for decades in the Steel city. Run the ball effectively, then prohibit the other team’s ability to move the ball on the ground.

The Steelers rated first in just about every defensive category you can think of...total yards per game, rushing yards per game, passing yards per game, but were very average offensively. The Giants may not be as dominant defensively, but their rushing attack is the best in the NFL. 

Everything the Giants do starts with the big men up front. That’s true on offense and defense.  They return all five offensive linemen from last year’s Super Bowl Championship team and they are once again playing at a Pro Bowl level. The Giants lead the league in rushing yards per game at 154.6 and total rushing yards at 2,010. Naturally, the rushing attack ranks highest in yards per carry at 4.9.

The self-proclaimed "Earth, Wind and Fire" combination of Jacobs and backups Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw have also carried the G-men to the highest number of runs over 20 yards (20) in the NFL. The ground and pound philosophy has paved the way for 28.2 points per game (second best in the NFL) and 16 rushing touchdowns (fifth best in the league). 

Once the Giants display their dominant running attack, they do a fine job preventing the opponent’s rushing attack. The Giants yield only 89.5 rushing yards per game, fifth best in the league. And the Giants only surrender 17.4 points per game, good for fourth best in the league. 

Matchup

Dallas played their best defensive game of the year in last week’s loss. The Cowboys should get another inspired defensive performance this week at home with the season on the line. The Giants will try for the sweep, but won’t be able to match the intensity from Dallas.

Cowboys 27, Giants 23