NFL Preview - Dallas (7-1) at N.Y. Giants (6-2)
By Scott Garbarini, Sports Network
The Sports Network
The team generally regarded as the best in the NFC this season will take on the conference's hottest squad in a marquee divisional matchup from the Meadowlands this Sunday, when the New York Giants put their six-game winning streak on the line against the first-place Dallas Cowboys.
At 7-1, Dallas has compiled its best record at the season's midway point since 1995, a year which ended in the franchise's most recent Super Bowl title. The only blemish on the Cowboys' record came at the hands of the undefeated New England Patriots back in Week 6.
Dallas rebounded from that hard-to-swallow 48-27 loss with victories in each of its last two contests, including a most-impressive 38-17 throttling of defending NFC East champ Philadelphia on the road last Sunday.
The Cowboys overwhelmed the Eagles with a 434-yard performance on offense, and have been hard to stop on that side of the ball all year long. Dallas enters this crucial showdown ranked second in the NFL in both total yards (406.0 ypg) and points (33.1 ppg), while Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo has proven to be no overnight sensation with a terrific first half.
Dallas' offense was even more prolific when these teams locked horns back in Week 1. Fueled by a career-high 345 passing yards and four touchdowns by Romo, the Cowboys piled up 478 total yards on the way to a 45-35 triumph over the Giants at Texas Stadium.
New York's defense has certainly improved off that effort, however. After yielding an eye-opening 80 points in losses to Dallas and Green Bay to start the campaign, the Giants have surrendered only 79 points total during a six- game run, the club's longest since it ripped off seven straight wins in 1990 en route to a Super Bowl victory.
The streak has propelled New York within one game of Dallas' lead atop the NFC East, and into control of one of the conference's two wild-card berths.
The Giants come into the game off the benefit of a bye week after edging the winless Miami Dolphins in the NFL's first-ever regular-season tilt played in Europe. New York sloshed its way to a mundane 13-10 victory on the soggy grounds of London's Wembley Stadium.
The Giants ran for 189 yards against the Dolphins and continued their recent trend of hurting the opposition with a punishing ground game. Over the team's last four victories, New York has averaged better than 176 rushing yards per contest, with top running back Brandon Jacobs eclipsing the century mark on three of those occasions.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cowboys lead the all-time series with the Giants by a 53-35-2 count, including the above-mentioned 45-35 home win in Week 1. Dallas earned an unconventional split of last year's home-and-home with a 36-22 loss at Texas Stadium in Week 7 and a 23-20 victory when it visited the Meadowlands in Week 13. The G-Men last won a home game against Dallas in 2005.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has a 5-5 record against Dallas as a head coach, including 4-3 since arriving in New York in 2004. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is 1-1 against the Giants in his career as a head coach, with the defeat coming for his Bills team in 1999. Phillips is 2-0 against Coughlin head-to-head, as his Bills also scored a win over Coughlin's Jaguars during the 1998 campaign.
WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
Dallas will bring the league's third-best passing offense in terms of yards (278.1 ypg) into the Meadowlands, as well as the NFC's top-rated quarterback in Romo (2308 passing yards, 19 TD, 10 INT). The former undrafted free agent justified the recent $67 million contract extension the Cowboys bestowed on him with a near-flawless performance in the Philadelphia game. Romo completed 20-of-25 passes for 324 yards and three scores last week, with former Eagle Terrell Owens (44 receptions, 6 TD) haunting his ex-mates by compiling season- high totals of 10 catches and 174 yards. Owens had two touchdowns against New York in the season-opener, while standout tight end Jason Witten (45 receptions, 5 TD) burned the Giants for 116 yards on six grabs in that meeting. Romo has also received excellent protection from a very good offensive line anchored by three-time Pro Bowl tackle Flozell Adams.
The line has also paved the way for a solid ground game consisting of two quality backs in Marion Barber (535 rushing yards, 21 receptions, 7 total TD) and Julius Jones (353 rushing yards, 2 TD, 13 receptions). Although the duo has essentially split carries, Barber has been the more productive player with a excellent average of 5.4 yards per attempt. For the year, the Cowboys rank 12th overall with an average of 127.9 rushing yards per game.
New York's defense has made great strides since being shredded by the Cowboys in Week 1, particularly against the pass, and has surrendered 17 points or less in all but one game during the team's win streak. The Giants lead the NFL with 30 sacks, with ends Osi Umenyiora (26 tackles, 8 sacks) and Justin Tuck (34 tackles, 7 sacks) accounting for half of that impressive total. The secondary has improved with the insertion of athletic rookie Aaron Ross (23 tackles, 3 INT, 1.5 sacks) at one corner and the rejuvenation of 33-year-old Sam Madison (38 tackles, 2 INT, 7 PD) at the other. The combo has helped New York climb to a No. 9 ranking in passing yards allowed (195.1 ypg).
The Giants have also been mostly solid in defending the run, although Dallas was able to rack up 142 yards on the ground against them in September. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (57 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) is the top tackler of a group that comes in 11th overall in rushing defense (101.0 ypg).
WHEN THE GIANTS HAVE THE BALL
It seems as if the Giants haven't missed retired running back Tiki Barber as much as initially feared, as the offense has run the ball with authority since Jacobs (450 rushing yards, 2 TD) returned from a sprained knee in early October. The powerful third-year pro has averaged 106 yards and 5.7 yards per carry in four games following the injury, which he suffered in the opener against Dallas. Derrick Ward (448 rushing yards, 24 receptions, 3 total TD) filled in capably in Jacobs' absence, but he's now dealing with a nagging ankle sprain that will likely make him inactive on Sunday. New York is averaging 137.8 rushing yards per game as a team, the sixth-best mark in the league.
The Giants' voyage to London wasn't a particularly memorable trip for quarterback Eli Manning (1584 passing yards, 13 TD, 9 INT). The former No. 1 overall pick managed a mere 59 yards through the air and completed just 8- of-22 passes on the soggy grounds of Wembley Stadium, while failing to throw for a touchdown for the first time in 2007. Manning was much sharper during New York's Week 1 meeting with the Cowboys, when he put up season-best totals of 312 yards and four touchdown passes. Three of those scoring strikes went to big-play wideout Plaxico Burress (37 receptions, 8 TD), who abused Dallas' secondary for 144 yards on eight grabs. Trusty receiver Amani Toomer (30 receptions, 2 TD) had nine catches totaling 91 yards in that game. Excitable tight end Jeremy Shockey (31 receptions, 2 TD) provides Manning another weapon in the NFL's 15th-ranked offense (334.0 ypg).
The Cowboys did play without two key members on defense, cornerback Terence Newman (25 tackles, 1 INT) and outside linebacker Greg Ellis (10 tackles), in their earlier encounter with New York, but both will be on the field on Sunday. Ellis has been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks since coming back from an Achilles' tear, having amassed 5 1/2 sacks in five games and forming a dangerous pass-rush tandem with All-Pro Demarcus Ware (42 tackles, 7 sacks). Cornerback Anthony Henry (15 tackles, 9 PD), who leads Dallas with five interceptions, returned to action last Sunday after sitting out three games with an ankle sprain. He was used mainly as a nickel back and figures to have a similar role this week.
A stout Dallas run defense which is yielding a mere 84.4 rushing yards per game (fifth overall) should get a further boost with the expected debut of tackle Tank Johnson, the troubled former Chicago Bear who has just finished serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He'll begin as the backup for nose guard Jay Ratliff (16 tackles, 1.5 sacks), who's filled in nicely after regular starter Jason Ferguson suffered a season-ending biceps tear in the season opener.
FANTASY FOCUS
If the most recent matchup between these clubs is any indication, there are a wealth of must-play participants in the fantasy ranks this week. Romo, Owens and Witten have been among the top point-producers at their respective positions and all three had huge games against the Giants in Week 1, so there's reason to start any member of Dallas' terrific trio. Same goes for Burress, who put together a monster game in that season-opening meeting. Manning and Shockey also look like good options on the Giants' side, while Toomer's a decent play as a second receiver. Barber's strong season and Dallas' ability to put up points make the under-utilized running back worth a spot in your lineup as well.
Although the Giants defense has been a strong source of points this season, look for other alternatives with an unfavorable matchup this week. Jacobs owners should be prepared for a letdown as well against a Dallas stop unit that's mighty tough versus the run.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Giants are certainly a better team than the one that was steamrolled by Dallas in the season opener and should be a fired-up bunch playing at home in a divisional game with plenty of ramifications. New York's string of six straight wins has been built on three factors -- a strong running game, an ability to consistently pressure the quarterback, and a soft schedule. Four of those six victories (Jets, Falcons, 49ers, Dolphins) have come against some of the league's dregs, and it remains to be seen whether the Giants will be able to handle a clear step up in class. Dallas' offensive line has been stellar in pass protection all year long, while Romo has also shown a knack for getting rid of the ball quickly in the face of a rush. If New York can't generate the heat on defense that has been the key to the team's resurgence, Dallas' strong receiving corps should be able to exploit their one-on-one matchups with the secondary. The Giants will put up some points as well, but probably not enough to win a shootout with the NFC's most explosive team.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 31, Giants 24
The Sports Network
The team generally regarded as the best in the NFC this season will take on the conference's hottest squad in a marquee divisional matchup from the Meadowlands this Sunday, when the New York Giants put their six-game winning streak on the line against the first-place Dallas Cowboys.
At 7-1, Dallas has compiled its best record at the season's midway point since 1995, a year which ended in the franchise's most recent Super Bowl title. The only blemish on the Cowboys' record came at the hands of the undefeated New England Patriots back in Week 6.
Dallas rebounded from that hard-to-swallow 48-27 loss with victories in each of its last two contests, including a most-impressive 38-17 throttling of defending NFC East champ Philadelphia on the road last Sunday.
The Cowboys overwhelmed the Eagles with a 434-yard performance on offense, and have been hard to stop on that side of the ball all year long. Dallas enters this crucial showdown ranked second in the NFL in both total yards (406.0 ypg) and points (33.1 ppg), while Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo has proven to be no overnight sensation with a terrific first half.
Dallas' offense was even more prolific when these teams locked horns back in Week 1. Fueled by a career-high 345 passing yards and four touchdowns by Romo, the Cowboys piled up 478 total yards on the way to a 45-35 triumph over the Giants at Texas Stadium.
New York's defense has certainly improved off that effort, however. After yielding an eye-opening 80 points in losses to Dallas and Green Bay to start the campaign, the Giants have surrendered only 79 points total during a six- game run, the club's longest since it ripped off seven straight wins in 1990 en route to a Super Bowl victory.
The streak has propelled New York within one game of Dallas' lead atop the NFC East, and into control of one of the conference's two wild-card berths.
The Giants come into the game off the benefit of a bye week after edging the winless Miami Dolphins in the NFL's first-ever regular-season tilt played in Europe. New York sloshed its way to a mundane 13-10 victory on the soggy grounds of London's Wembley Stadium.
The Giants ran for 189 yards against the Dolphins and continued their recent trend of hurting the opposition with a punishing ground game. Over the team's last four victories, New York has averaged better than 176 rushing yards per contest, with top running back Brandon Jacobs eclipsing the century mark on three of those occasions.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cowboys lead the all-time series with the Giants by a 53-35-2 count, including the above-mentioned 45-35 home win in Week 1. Dallas earned an unconventional split of last year's home-and-home with a 36-22 loss at Texas Stadium in Week 7 and a 23-20 victory when it visited the Meadowlands in Week 13. The G-Men last won a home game against Dallas in 2005.
Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has a 5-5 record against Dallas as a head coach, including 4-3 since arriving in New York in 2004. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is 1-1 against the Giants in his career as a head coach, with the defeat coming for his Bills team in 1999. Phillips is 2-0 against Coughlin head-to-head, as his Bills also scored a win over Coughlin's Jaguars during the 1998 campaign.
WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
Dallas will bring the league's third-best passing offense in terms of yards (278.1 ypg) into the Meadowlands, as well as the NFC's top-rated quarterback in Romo (2308 passing yards, 19 TD, 10 INT). The former undrafted free agent justified the recent $67 million contract extension the Cowboys bestowed on him with a near-flawless performance in the Philadelphia game. Romo completed 20-of-25 passes for 324 yards and three scores last week, with former Eagle Terrell Owens (44 receptions, 6 TD) haunting his ex-mates by compiling season- high totals of 10 catches and 174 yards. Owens had two touchdowns against New York in the season-opener, while standout tight end Jason Witten (45 receptions, 5 TD) burned the Giants for 116 yards on six grabs in that meeting. Romo has also received excellent protection from a very good offensive line anchored by three-time Pro Bowl tackle Flozell Adams.
The line has also paved the way for a solid ground game consisting of two quality backs in Marion Barber (535 rushing yards, 21 receptions, 7 total TD) and Julius Jones (353 rushing yards, 2 TD, 13 receptions). Although the duo has essentially split carries, Barber has been the more productive player with a excellent average of 5.4 yards per attempt. For the year, the Cowboys rank 12th overall with an average of 127.9 rushing yards per game.
New York's defense has made great strides since being shredded by the Cowboys in Week 1, particularly against the pass, and has surrendered 17 points or less in all but one game during the team's win streak. The Giants lead the NFL with 30 sacks, with ends Osi Umenyiora (26 tackles, 8 sacks) and Justin Tuck (34 tackles, 7 sacks) accounting for half of that impressive total. The secondary has improved with the insertion of athletic rookie Aaron Ross (23 tackles, 3 INT, 1.5 sacks) at one corner and the rejuvenation of 33-year-old Sam Madison (38 tackles, 2 INT, 7 PD) at the other. The combo has helped New York climb to a No. 9 ranking in passing yards allowed (195.1 ypg).
The Giants have also been mostly solid in defending the run, although Dallas was able to rack up 142 yards on the ground against them in September. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (57 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) is the top tackler of a group that comes in 11th overall in rushing defense (101.0 ypg).
WHEN THE GIANTS HAVE THE BALL
It seems as if the Giants haven't missed retired running back Tiki Barber as much as initially feared, as the offense has run the ball with authority since Jacobs (450 rushing yards, 2 TD) returned from a sprained knee in early October. The powerful third-year pro has averaged 106 yards and 5.7 yards per carry in four games following the injury, which he suffered in the opener against Dallas. Derrick Ward (448 rushing yards, 24 receptions, 3 total TD) filled in capably in Jacobs' absence, but he's now dealing with a nagging ankle sprain that will likely make him inactive on Sunday. New York is averaging 137.8 rushing yards per game as a team, the sixth-best mark in the league.
The Giants' voyage to London wasn't a particularly memorable trip for quarterback Eli Manning (1584 passing yards, 13 TD, 9 INT). The former No. 1 overall pick managed a mere 59 yards through the air and completed just 8- of-22 passes on the soggy grounds of Wembley Stadium, while failing to throw for a touchdown for the first time in 2007. Manning was much sharper during New York's Week 1 meeting with the Cowboys, when he put up season-best totals of 312 yards and four touchdown passes. Three of those scoring strikes went to big-play wideout Plaxico Burress (37 receptions, 8 TD), who abused Dallas' secondary for 144 yards on eight grabs. Trusty receiver Amani Toomer (30 receptions, 2 TD) had nine catches totaling 91 yards in that game. Excitable tight end Jeremy Shockey (31 receptions, 2 TD) provides Manning another weapon in the NFL's 15th-ranked offense (334.0 ypg).
The Cowboys did play without two key members on defense, cornerback Terence Newman (25 tackles, 1 INT) and outside linebacker Greg Ellis (10 tackles), in their earlier encounter with New York, but both will be on the field on Sunday. Ellis has been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks since coming back from an Achilles' tear, having amassed 5 1/2 sacks in five games and forming a dangerous pass-rush tandem with All-Pro Demarcus Ware (42 tackles, 7 sacks). Cornerback Anthony Henry (15 tackles, 9 PD), who leads Dallas with five interceptions, returned to action last Sunday after sitting out three games with an ankle sprain. He was used mainly as a nickel back and figures to have a similar role this week.
A stout Dallas run defense which is yielding a mere 84.4 rushing yards per game (fifth overall) should get a further boost with the expected debut of tackle Tank Johnson, the troubled former Chicago Bear who has just finished serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He'll begin as the backup for nose guard Jay Ratliff (16 tackles, 1.5 sacks), who's filled in nicely after regular starter Jason Ferguson suffered a season-ending biceps tear in the season opener.
FANTASY FOCUS
If the most recent matchup between these clubs is any indication, there are a wealth of must-play participants in the fantasy ranks this week. Romo, Owens and Witten have been among the top point-producers at their respective positions and all three had huge games against the Giants in Week 1, so there's reason to start any member of Dallas' terrific trio. Same goes for Burress, who put together a monster game in that season-opening meeting. Manning and Shockey also look like good options on the Giants' side, while Toomer's a decent play as a second receiver. Barber's strong season and Dallas' ability to put up points make the under-utilized running back worth a spot in your lineup as well.
Although the Giants defense has been a strong source of points this season, look for other alternatives with an unfavorable matchup this week. Jacobs owners should be prepared for a letdown as well against a Dallas stop unit that's mighty tough versus the run.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Giants are certainly a better team than the one that was steamrolled by Dallas in the season opener and should be a fired-up bunch playing at home in a divisional game with plenty of ramifications. New York's string of six straight wins has been built on three factors -- a strong running game, an ability to consistently pressure the quarterback, and a soft schedule. Four of those six victories (Jets, Falcons, 49ers, Dolphins) have come against some of the league's dregs, and it remains to be seen whether the Giants will be able to handle a clear step up in class. Dallas' offensive line has been stellar in pass protection all year long, while Romo has also shown a knack for getting rid of the ball quickly in the face of a rush. If New York can't generate the heat on defense that has been the key to the team's resurgence, Dallas' strong receiving corps should be able to exploit their one-on-one matchups with the secondary. The Giants will put up some points as well, but probably not enough to win a shootout with the NFC's most explosive team.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 31, Giants 24
posted by The Gryphon at 9:16 PM
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