Cowboys vs. Buccaneers: Weak Schedule Won't Save Dallas from NY Giants

The Dallas Cowboys' (8-6) crushing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) on Saturday night did little more than prove just how inept the Bucs are these days, and gave us no inclination as to how good the 'Boys are this December.

Dallas had botched two fourth quarters in a row before Saturday night's thumping in Tampa, and unfortunately, a horridly overrated 8-6 squad controls its own destiny in the NFC East.

First off, the division belongs to the New York Giants (7-6), and will be rightfully theirs at season's end.

The Giants have managed a 7-6 start through 14 weeks of play, same as the Cowboys, but instead had to travel to the Saints and host the Packers in consecutive weeks, back-to-back battles with the reigning Super Bowl champions that resulted in defeat.

The Cowboys' pathetic schedule this season is by no means their fault, but the same can be said for the Giants.

Dallas lost to the same Arizona and New England teams that the Giants topped early in the season, and was blown out at Philadelphia and dissected late against the Jets. 

New York split with the Eagles this season, but at least looked competitive, and the Giants will play the Jets in Week 16 in a game they will win.

With both NFC East rivals, Dallas and New York set to matchup in Week 17, the division crown will come down to who's better at MetLife Stadium on New Year's Day.

That team will be the New York Giants, again.

A 12-point lead at home on prime time with under six minutes to go wasn't safe for Tony Romo and Co. the first time around, so what will change three weeks later?

Eli Manning has been incredibly dominant this season in the fourth quarter, his QB rating and 14 touchdowns during that portion of the game are tops in the league.

Romo melts in those moments, we've seen it time and again, at Seattle in 2006, against the Giants in 2007 and again in Minnesota in 2009.

The playoffs are not for Romo and these Cowboys, they show up small on the big stage, regardless of how massive their stadium is, or the stars on their helmets. 

Manning and the Giants have been there before, and they are going back in Week 17, no matter how many more chumps like Tampa Bay Dallas destroys.