January 2008 - Posts
Giants Cowboys Preview
GIANTS AT COWBOYS, NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
Where: Dallas Stadium, Dallas
When: Sunday 12:00 PM
Dallas Cowboys Offense New York Giants Offense
Overall: 3rd (365.7 ypg) Overall: 16th (331.4ypg)
Rushing: 7th (4.2 yards/rush) Rushing: 3rd (4.6yards/rush)
Passing: 3rd (97.1 QB Rating) Passing: 24th (73.0 QB Rating)
Dallas Cowboys Defense New York Giants Defense
Overall: 9th (307.6 ypg) Overall: 7th (305.0 ypg)
Rushing: 13th (4.0 yards/rush) Rushing: 4th (3.8 yards/rush)
Passing: 5th (75.1 QB Rating) Passing: 17th (83.4 QB Rating)
Did you know . . . The New York Giants are 8 -1 on the road this year, with their only loss being to the Dallas Cowboys. New York was swept by the Cowboys this year. This will be the 18th time that two teams have met in the playoffs after one team swept the other. Going back to 1990, no Number 1 seed has lost in the Divisional round.
Injuries: NYCB Kevin Dockery – Out, NYCB Sam Madison – Doubtful, NYWR Plaxico Burress and DAWR Terrell Owens – Questionable, NYTE Kevin Boss. Plaxico Burress has been limited in practice all week, and did not participate in the Thursday practice. Terrell Owens has not participated in a practice until this Thursday, after which he was still limited. TO has claimed that he is going to play in this game. He has recently suffered a high ankle sprain, which takes a six week rehabilitation by normal humans. The injury allows you to walk and even jog without pain or with a limp. But, all explosion is gone. The second you try to push off, the pain is excruciating. Regardless of pre-game speeches, TO will not be playing in this game, at least not more then as a decoy.
HOW THEY MATCHUP
Tony Romo leads his troops into playoff battle for the second time in his young career. Last year he ended his team’s run on a botched field goal snap. While Romo has put together an impressive season, he has not finished well. In his last three games, his QB ratings have been 22.2, 81.2, and 34.9. Those types of number don’t cut it in the playoffs. And the teams playing their best football heading into the playoffs have the edge. Without his star wideout on the edge, Romo just hasn’t been the same. If TO really is nothing more then a decoy this week, look for the Dallas QB to struggle. One the other side of the field is the oft ridiculed, Elisha Manning. Has he ever lived up to his draft status, has he ever rewarded the Giants for the bounty they gave up to get him. Likely not. But, he is playing very good football down the stretch. Last week against the leagues No. 1 pass defense, Elisha completed 74% of his passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Statistically, not off of the charts but he did make plays in the game, and no mistakes. His Week 17 mark was a 117 QB rating. Say what you will about his past, Eli is playing good playoff football, and should he continue his march, his team just might make some history, with an unexpected upset of the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
Each team uses an excellent Running Back Tandem. In NY, theirs is the 6-4, 264-lb beast of a runner, Brandon Jacobs and his small, speedster companion, Bradshaw. The Cowboys have Julius Jones, an overrated Notre Dame graduate and Marion Barber, former college teammate of Lawrence Maroney. Both teams have a power and speed combination and should be equally effective, with quality play from the quarterbacks.
If you are going to make it this far into the season, you likely get quality play from you lines, offensive and defensive. The Giants offensive line is huge, but it is effective, technically sound, and mean. The Cowboys on the other hand do have a huge O-line and can wear team’s down over the course of a game. Both team’s offensive lines will be tested, but the Cowboy’s will be particularly under the spot light. New York’s pass rush has played on another level for most of the season, and has lead the league in sacks. Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, and Kawika Mitchell should have their names called early and often in this contest as they batter and abuse the Cowboy’s star QB. If not, this will not be a game for the Giants to win. Both team’s defenses are at the top of the league and should pose problems on all three levels for the other side of the field.
Goose’s Go-Ahead
History says that the Cowboys will win this matchup. But, I think something special just might happen this Sunday. I don’t see the Cowboys making it past this one. I don’t think that TO will be a factor if he suits up at all. I don’t think that the Cowboys will be able to hold off the Giants pass rush, and I don’t see Romo having the game that he will need to have as a playoff quarterback. Elisha just might have a game worthy of a Number 1 overall pick. Big Blue wins it in a big upset.
Cowboys 14, Giants 31