Slim

Giants Head Coach: Tom Coughlin
Series Record: Dallas leads series 51-34-2
Last Time: @ Giants 17, Cowboys 10 (Dec. 4, 2005)
Last Cowboys Win: @ Cowboys 16, Giants 13 (Oct. 16, 2005)
Giants In 2005: 11-5, First place NFC East, Wild-Card Berth
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Key Additions: S Will Demps, CB Sam Madison, LB LaVar Arrington
Key Losses: DT Kendrick Clancy, CB Will Allen, S Brent Alexander
Top Draft Choice: DE Mathias Kiwanuka
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THE SKINNY
Despite having little success against the Giants on the road, going 2-8 since 1996, the Cowboys at least have been better against them at Texas Stadium, going 6-4. In three career games against the Cowboys, Giants quarterback Eli Manning (2-1) has averaged 14 completions on 29 attempts (48 percent) for an average of 170 yards passing, along with four touchdown passes and four interceptions. Manning, though, has yet to beat the Cowboys by more than seven points.
2005 STATISTICAL LEADERS
QB Eli Manning
294 of 557, 3,762 yards, 52.8%, 24 TDs, 17 INTs, 75.9 QB Rating
RB Tiki Barber
357 yards, 1860 yards, 5.2 Avg., 9 TDs
WR Plaxico Burress
76 catches, 1214 yards, 16.0 Avg., 7 TDs

MEMORY LANE
During Week 2 of Bill Parcells' first season (2003) as head coach in Dallas, the Cowboys ran into a New York Giants team which had made the playoffs in two of the previous three seasons and were just two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance. The Cowboys were coming off their third straight 5-11 season and a season-opening 27-13 loss to the Michael Vick-less Falcons. But thanks to kicker Bill Cundiff's NFL record-tying seven field goals and one of quarterback Quincy Carter's better games during his three-year career in Dallas, the Cowboys grabbed a thrilling 35-32 victory in overtime on Monday Night Football. The Cowboys allowed the Giants to score 18 fourth-quarter points, wiping out their 15-point lead, and to take a 32-29 lead with just 11 seconds remaining on Matt Bryant's 30-yard field goal. But of all things, Bryant sailed his ensuing kick off out of bounds, setting up the Cowboys at their own 40-yard line. Carter then connected with Antonio Bryant for a 26-yard gain, setting up Cundiff for a 52-yard field-goal attempt, the longest of his career
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Should be a close game no doubt. I can see it going either way.

The cowboys really need this win, next week they go up against the panthers. They can't drop 2 games in a row like that.

If the cowboys stop tiki, and if the O line protects bledsoe, then its on. If none of that happens then it could be a long day.

Whats your thoughts?

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Dr. Giganto

Well, these teams ALWAYS play each other close, so there's no doubt it will be a close game.

Both teams have QBs who are prone to mistakes. This favors the Cowboys, because their secondary is better than the Giants DBs. As you mentioned, the key will be how the O-line protects Bledsoe, because Bledsoe is great when he has time, but when he's under pressure he makes VERY poor decisions. Also, if Bledsoe has time, Owens and Glenn should have no problem getting open against the Giant secondary

As far as the running game is concerned, the Giants have a clear-cut advantage here. Julius Jones is good, but Tiki is an elite RB, and Brandon Jacobs is a monster off the bench. Plus, the Giants have been great at stuffing the run this year (Warrick Dunn's 90-yard scamper notwithstanding).

I say regardless of who wins, it will be a 3-point game, 23-20 or something like that. Late field goal wins it

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Slim

yup. I agree.

Tiki is the better back no doubt. Julias has gotten better. I think its been like 4 games in a row running for 100 plus. Barber has been getting it done also off the bench.

Dallas seems like when they are on they are awesome. But then they can be off and be terrible. Seems to be the same with NY. The reason I say Dallas wins is because its in dallas, other then that, id prolly say NY. And when we play NY in NY then i have to give the edge to the giants.

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B-Money

Why is it that when I read a Tom Dogg post about sports I always feel like I'm reading something from Bob Ryan or Michael Felger in the local newspapers?

Good stuff.

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B-Money

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Brandon

Tom Dogg always says everything that I want to say and then adds even more info. Unbelievable.

Look, I agree this is definitely a 3-point game. I took Dallas on the picks just because they're home, but I think the most important thing in this game is the Dallas o-line. When Bledsoe gets protection, the Dallas passing game is elite, when people are in his face (Bledsoe's) he's awful.

Dakstang

I just hope that Julius Jones puts up some good numbers. He is one of my FF running backs.

I picked Dallas to win.

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There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no more pain, no more parting over there;
And forever I will be with the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Dr. Giganto

yeah, if i was a betting man, i would take the cowboys, because they are at home. if it was at Giants stadium, i would take the G-Men. These teams are so evenly matched in my eyes, I will just take the home team

By the way, thanks for the compliments guys...i appreciate it

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Slim

alright, well tonight is the big night.

Now with Philly and Washington both getting the lost on Sunday, this game is even bigger. Winner is in first place. I think whoever wins this game, may win the NFC East... It is still a pretty young season though so anything can happen.

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Slim

Some good points...

SOME POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU LIKE THE COWBOYS:

1. Dallas is the No. 2 scoring offense in the red zone with 12 touchdowns and four field goals in 19 trips.
2. The Giants defense is No. 29 in red-zone defense and has given up 12 scores in 12 trips.
3. Dallas is ahead in the turnover battle this season by two.
4. The Dallas offense is ranked third in third-down efficiency and the Giants defense is 30th.
5. Owens caught three touchdown passes last week.
6. In the first quarter of games this season, Eli Manning is completing just 46 percent of his passes.
7. The Giants are last in the NFL in penalty yardage edge (323 to 183 yards).
8. Dallas punter Mat McBriar is No. 1 in the NFC with an average 41.8 yards net, giving an edge in the field-position battle.
9. In the Cowboys two home games this season, Bledsoe hasn't thrown an interception, the defense has allowed a total of 16 points, and they are 2-0.
10. Dallas is 7-1 against the Giants on Monday Night Football.

SOME POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU LIKE THE GIANTS:

1. The Giants are 3-1 in their last four games against Dallas.
2. Strahan and Osi Umenyiora had six sacks against Dallas last year.
3. Barber leads the NFL in rushing and has 723 total yards (144 per game).
4. The Giants have all 11 starters back on offense from 2005 when they were the No. 2 offense.
5. The Giants beat the Eagles this season while the Cowboys lost to Philadelphia.
6. The Giants have beaten Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington, and Dallas has beaten Houston, Tennessee and Washington.
7. In the fourth quarter this season, Manning is 38 for 55 with five TDs, two interceptions and no sacks.
8. The Giants have scored 87 points on the road in three games (29 per game).
9. The Giants are averaging 388 yards per game & Manning has eight TD passes on the road.

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