Giants at Cowboys
THE STORY: Since the early-season demise of the Dream Team in Philadelphia, the NFC East title has been there for the taking. Problem is, no team in the division seems inclined to take it. That will change Sunday night when the Dallas Cowboys host the New York Giants in a matchup that could go a long way in deciding the both teams' postseason fates – especially with a rematch looming in the regular-season finale. Dallas had seemingly taken control of the division, ripping off four consecutive victories before last week's perplexing 19-13 overtime loss to the lowly Arizona Cardinals. The Giants, meanwhile, were in command of the East before absorbing four straight losses, but showed they still have life in a 38-35 loss to undefeated Green Bay a week ago.
TV: NBC, 8:20 p.m. ET. LINE: Cowboys -3, O/U 49
ABOUT THE GIANTS (6-6): New York bounced back from an embarrassing performance at New Orleans by scoring a season-high 35 points in nearly spoiling the Packers’ perfect season. Despite the current skid, the Giants can claim the division title by running the table. They have won a pair of shootouts in their last two meetings in Dallas, scoring a combined 74 points and getting six TD passes and two 300-yard games from QB Eli Manning. RB Ahmad Bradshaw ran for only 38 yards in his return to the lineup last week after missing four games. He rushed for 126 yards at Dallas last season.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (7-5): Dallas made headlines for all the wrong reasons again last week, when coach Jason Garrett called a timeout to negate a game-winning field goal by Dan Bailey, who proceeded to miss his next attempt. The Cowboys had been sitting on a loss after squeezing out narrow wins over Washington and Miami. Rookie RB DeMarco Murray had his worst effort since taking over as the team's starter, rushing for 38 yards on 12 attempts. WR Miles Austin is expected to return to the lineup after missing four games with a hamstring injury. QB Tony Romo has 11 TD passes and two interceptions in his last five.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware, who is tied for the league lead in sacks (15.0), has seven sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his last seven games against New York.
2. Giants WR Victor Cruz will be seeking his fourth straight 100-yard game. He has 41 receptions in his last six games.
3. Dallas is tied for the NFC lead with 35 sacks. The Giants are close behind with 33.