Normally the first New York vs. Dallas game of the year is a big to do. Nothing changes this year. With a win, the Giants can do two things. First off, they can claim sole possession of first place in the NFC East, and the NFC in general. Secondly, they can most likely put the Cowboys to bed for the season, with Wade Phillips most likely on the way out at the end of the season. On the other hand, with a Cowboys win, many different things can start happening. Firstly, the Cowboys would see this win as finally starting their season. At 2-4, no one can absolutely say that your season is over. At 1-5, you're in the same league as the Panthers, Lions, and the underachieving 49ers(All teams that have a 99.9% chance of missing the playoffs). Secondly, it gives Wade Phillips some breathing room. He can coach a little better without the black cloud over his head. Lastly, if they do get a win tonight over the Giants, it might propel this team in it's last 10 games, none of which are certainties. After the Giants, Dallas plays (in order): vs JAC, @GB, @NYG, vs. DET, vs. NO, @IND, vs. PHI, vs. WAS, @ARI, @PHI. Now I'm not saying that the Cowboys will lose all these games, but even if they do beat the Giants tonight, the road ahead is not a cakewalk. They would have to go at least 7-3 to have any chance at the playoffs, maybe even 8-2. Can you find 8 guaranteed wins in that remaining schedule? No? That's because there aren't. There aren't even 3. So, Dallas needs to get back on track tonight.
The Matchups
Giants Offense vs. Dallas Defense
Contradictory to Dallas' record, the defense has played fairly well. They give up an average of 22.2 points per game, 20th in the NFL, but many of those points come off bad turnovers deep in their own territory. They give up on average 281.4 yards per game, 3rd in the NFL. That is the real telling statistic. Can the Dallas Defense stop the resurgent Giants rush attack behind a shifty and speedy Amhad Bradshaw? This fan thinks not. The Giants offensive line has played reasonably well. Bradshaw simply makes his own plays, however. The yards Bradshaw gains after the first hit is what is impressive. 399 of Bradshaw's 582 yards have come after contact. Rich Seubert and Chris Snee are invaluable, no matter how many plays Bradshaw does make. Besides the Indianapolis game, this offensive line has gelled, and the Giants are back to a running game that has been a New York football staple. After finishing a pedestrian 17th in rushing in 2009, the Giants entered this weekend as the 5th ranked rushing team. Bradshaw's quickness, coupled with the strong offensive line could spell doom for the Cowboys defense, which gives up on average 100.8 yards per game.
Eli Manning and his receivers have played well this season. The Giants young receiving corp can burn you with the best of them, but need to hold on to the ball. There are way too many dropped passes, many of them off the hands and in to the defender's waiting hands. Nicks, while explosive is one of the main culprits. With great footwork and speed, he needs to refine his game in the area of dropped passes to become an elite WR. Smith is a great route runner, and Boss might have the best hands on the team. Manningham is another threat down field, as he showed last week vs. the Lions when Nicks was shut down. The Cowboys have two interceptions for the year, and the Giants may be able to expose a middle of the road secondary. Dallas defense has only allowed 180 yards through the air, but part of me thinks it's because of the pass rush, which the Giants offensive line can limit. The Cowboys pass rush has 12 sacks for they year, which is nothing to write home about, but DeMarcus Ware has 7 of them. Look for Ware to be doubled all night.
The Cowboys have the 3rd best pass attack in the league and, yardage wise, the 3rd ranked total offense in the NFL, but are only 1-4. Why? would be most fan's question. And the answer is simple. While racking up all those yards in five games, the Cowboys seem to turn the ball over in the worst situations, and have only averaged about 20 points per game. On top of that, they are the 3rd most penalized team behind the Lions and Raiders. Their rush attack has been ineffective at best, mainly because they don't commit to a good ground game. Marion Barber is not the bruising back he has been in past seasons. Barber and Felix Jones have almost a 50/50 split of touches, with Jones averaging a decent 4.5 yards per carry, and Barber averaging a less than mediocre 3.4. The Giants run defense is ranked 7th in the league allowing only 92 yards per game, and getting better every week.
Tony Romo is having a very good season statistically. He has already thrown for over 1500 yards in five games with 10 touchdowns for a QB rating north of 92. Miles Austin already has three 100 yard receiving games, and Roy Williams has 5 touchdowns. Jason Witten has taken a back seat to these two receivers but is still playing at a reasonably high level with 270 yards receiving and a TD. How much damage can this QB and receiving corp do on a team? If they can cut out all the unforced errors, and stupid penalties, they can put up monster numbers on the score board and not just the stat sheet. But this week, they are facing the 2nd ranked pass defense in the Giants. The Giants only allow 172 yards through the air per game. Again, this has a lot to do with their pass rush, but with exceptional play from Terrrel Thomas, Corey Webster, Antrell Rolle, Kenny Phillips, and Deon Grant, the Giants secondary is looking as good as it ever has. The pass rush led by Umenyiora and Tuck, have amassed 21 sacks through six games, 8 coming from Umenyiora, who is 2nd in the NFL in that category. He also has forced 7 fumbles, as the Giants on a whole have forced 13. The Boys' O-line will have their hands full with a ball hungry Front 7.
Difference Makers
Giants Defense- Jonathan Goff's strong play in the absence of Keith Bullock has helped the Giants weak spot on defense, their linebacker corp. Goff flies to the ball like a rookie trying to make a good impression, and most people are noticing.
Cowboys Defense- Bradie James quietly leads this team in tackles at LB. He flies to the ball, and the Cowboys need him to be on his game tonight with Bradshaw in the backfield.
Giants Offense- Rich Seubert/Chris Snee- Seubert and Snee have played very well since that game in Indianapolis, opening up holes for Bradsahw and Brandon Jacobs. They need to handle DeMarcus Ware and the so far quiet Jay Ratliff.
Cowboys Offense- Miles Austin/Roy Williams/Dez Bryant/Jason Witten- The Cowboys talented receivers, including their tight end, are going to be hard to cover. The problem is that you can't double cover everyone. The receivers need to run their routes correctly and hold the ball.
Keys to the Game
Giants- Pass rush all day. If the Giants can rattle Tony Romo, it could knock Dallas out of this game early. Force some turnovers and capitalize in the red zone.
Cowboys- Load the box against the rush. If you let the Giants control the clock, then they control the game, although Dallas has proved that theory wrong all year.
Prediction
Giants 27 Cowboys 21
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