Cowboys to take on defending Champs

Dallas invades New York needing a win

It wasn’t long ago the Dallas Cowboys were the favorites in a playoff game against the New York Giants. Most people thought they’d make quick work of the G-Men in route to the Superbowl. But it never quite turned out that way as the Giants stunned the Cowboys in last year’s divisional playoff game and went on to shock the football world when they upset the Patriots in Superbowl XXLII.

A lot can change in a year and between these two rivals a lot has. The Cowboys defeated the Giants in both their meetings last season, and although the games were close at times, the Cowboys controlled the tempo and were never seriously in jeopardy of losing either game. Tony Romo was the toast of the town in Dallas while Eli Manning was on the verge of getting run out of town with his spotty play. But the rivalry seemed to change hands ever since that playoff game at Texas Stadium. The Giants of course are defending champions and in sole possession of first place at 6-1 while the Cowboys, (5-3) who were predicted to win the NFC East this year because of their enormous collection of talent, have not played well for the majority of 2008. Now, with Sunday’s game at the Meadowlands, this first of two meetings between the divisional foes, the Giants have the upper hand.

For the third straight week the Cowboys will be without starting quarterback Tony Romo who has missed time with a broken pinky on his throwing hand. His absence has had a detrimental effect on the offense, which clearly does not look like the offense that got Dallas off to a 3-0 start. In those first three games Dallas totaled 68 points. With Brad Johnson at quarterback in the previous two games they have scored 27. The forty year old Johnson has struggled with a rating of 60.3, three interceptions, and six sacks. There continues to be speculation the Brooks Bollinger could come in to relieve Johnson at any point during the game. This is more likely to happen if the aging Johnson continues to be pummeled by the Giants defense, which leads the NFL in sacks with 26. Bollinger is younger and much more mobile than Johnson.

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The Cowboys offensive line will have their hands full with the Justin Tuck, (6 sacks) Mathias Kiwanuka (5 sacks) and the rest of Steve Spagnualo’s defense, but they’ll also have to contend with one of the best offenses in the league. The Giants aren’t traditionally known for their offense, but coming into this weekend’s game they are the top rated offensive unit in the NFL. Last year’s Superbowl MVP, Eli Manning has developed into an elite quarterback, and he has a plethora of weapons to choose from. His receiving corps features Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and rising star Steve Smith who leads the Giants in receptions. The running game is also very potent with bruiser Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Amad Bradshaw.

The odds definitely seem stacked against the Boys but they still have plenty of weapons of their own. Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, and an injured Jason Witten (broken rib) head up the list of targets for Brad Johnson, but probably the best and most important weapon to be used for the upcoming game is Marion Barber. If the Cowboys can establish a running game it will go a long way to helping Brad Johnson and the rest of the offense.

Things have changed from a year ago in favor of the Giants, but despite all the adversity the Cowboys will be facing, there is a chance for them to win on Sunday. They showed some toughness last week against the Buccs and they’re going to need a lot more this week if they’re going to get a victory against the defending champs. A loss will dramatically reduce their chances of clinching a division title. A win, however, and the return of Romo after the bye week, and the Cowboys might start to rise from the ashes.

By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com Dallas Cowboys Correspondent