Bullz-Eye's NFL Game of the Week
11/30/2006
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We’ll be dissecting one big NFL match-up every week throughout the season, whether it's a long-standing rivalry, a divisional clash or a game with playoff implications.
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This week’s match up: Dallas Cowboys at NY Giants
Date: Sunday, Dec. 3.
Time: 4:15pm ET, FOX
RESULT: Cowboys 23, Giants 20
Why to tune in:
With Donovan McNabb out for the season in Philadelphia and Washington struggling to stay competitive this year, either the Cowboys or Giants will most likely win the NFC East. New York took the first game of the season series in Dallas last month. A lot has happened for both teams since then, however. The Giants had won five straight, but now face losing their fourth game in a row. The first meeting between these two teams also marked the debut of Tony Romo, the quarterback who has rejuvenated the Cowboys. Romo threw five touchdown passes last week on Thanksgiving Day and his play has the Dallas faithful thinking Super Bowl. If the Giants can snap their slide and sweep the Cowboys, New York will have a decided advantage as far as tiebreakers go at the end of the season. However, if Dallas can force the Giants to continue their horrid play, New York may never recover this year.
When the Cowboys have the ball:
While head coach Bill Parcels would love to pound the football on the ground, tailback Julius Jones has gone six games without averaging four yards per carry. While the team isn’t displeased with Jones’ effort, the paltry numbers have forced Parcels to count more on Marion Barber on the ground while Romo’s smart decision making has allowed the Tuna to trust the passing game more. Look for Romo to be unleashed again this week against a Giants secondary that’s been torched over the past three games and is susceptible to the big play late in games. New York’s defense is still banged up too, especially on the defensive line. Romo should have plenty of time to sit in the pocket and find Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Whitten. Watch for the Cowboys to attack the Giants vertically and forego any dink and dunk passes that might get tipped and intercepted. New York’s secondary is just going to have to man up against the plethora of weapons the Cowboys bring to the table and force Dallas into a run-first offense.
When the Giants have the ball:
Eli Manning is a mess right now. There is just no other way to put it. Manning’s confidence is shot. His decision-making is horrific and, worst of all for the Giants, it doesn’t look like Peyton’s brother is going to snap out of the funk anytime soon. Look for Dallas to bring the house on Manning with every blitz imaginable, with DeMarcus Ware acting as Manning’s personal bully by lining up all over the field to confuse the quarterback and force him into mistakes. Tiki Barber has been great this year, but over the past three games, defenses are pounding him because they don’t have to respect the pass. Brandon Jacobs has been a fantastic short yardage back, especially on the goal line. He should see at least 10 to 12 carries to keep Barber fresh for the end of the game. However, if Manning can’t get the ball to his playmakers, it won’t matter who carries the ball. Look for Dallas to blanket Jeremy Shockey with at least two defenders and take its chances with Plaxico Burress on the outside. Burress has been frustrated with Manning’s recent play and has even given up in the middle of routes. Terrance Newman and Anthony Henry have exceeded expectations this year in the Dallas secondary and shouldn’t have much trouble with the disgruntled Burress.
Prediction:
There are two guys I expect to have a huge game this Sunday at the Meadowlands and they are Ware and Henry. I’m willing to bet that the two of them combine to haunt Manning throughout the day and keep the young quarterback flustered. Let’s see: Manning has lost his confidence, Barber is whining about play calling, Burress is giving up in the middle of plays and the defense is still banged up. Oh yeah, and Dallas is coming off an extra few days off because of Thanksgiving.
As long as Martin Gramatica (just acquired with the release of Mike Vanderjagt) doesn’t have to kick any game-winning field goals, I like Dallas in a bit of a rout: Cowboys 31, Giants 17.
Questions or comments on this game? Send them to astalter@bullz-eye.com.