Dallas Cowboys (1-7) at New York Giants (6-2), 4:15 Eastern at New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
By Ben Kelly - InReeseWeTrust.com 11/12/10
What happened last week:
Unless you live under a rock, it’s been hard not to follow the Dallas storylines this season. They can’t tackle, they have no heart, they’re overrated, they’re a waste of talent, and so on. Pro-Bowl quarterback Tony Romo is out for several more weeks, and may be out for the season given the direction Jerry Jones took the team this past week. Jones fired head coach Wade Phillips after a 45-7 thrashing by the Packers in Green Bay on Sunday night. Jones promoted offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who was once a backup quarterback for the Giants. The Cowboys are 1-7 and three games behind the third place Redskins in the NFC East. There isn’t much left for the Cowboys to salvage this season, but upsetting the Giants at the Meadowlands would be a start.
What to expect from the Cowboys:
The 1-7 Cowboys are more talented than their record, but face a multitude of issues involving team chemistry and character. Will they respond to interim coach Jason Garrett and play disciplined football? Dallas is unlikely to experience such a dramatic turnaround against New York, which is playing some of the most complete football in the NFL, ranking 2nd in total offense and 1st in total defense. The Giants beat Dallas in Dallas three weeks ago, 41-35.
What to expect from the Giants:
In week 7 against the Cowboys, the Giants committed 5 turnovers yet still put 41 points on the scoreboard. After Eli Manning’s first two passes were tipped into the hands of Cowboy defenders for 10 points, he completed 25 of his next 33 passes for 306 yards and 4 touchdowns. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined to rush for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns for 5.6 yards per carry. Steve Smith, one of the two one hundred yard receivers from the Dallas game will miss the game with injury, but expect another balanced day from the offense, which is burning on all cylinders. On the defensive side of the ball, New York forced backup quarterback Jon Kitna to complete less than 50% of his passes and contained Dallas’ rushing attack to 3.1 yards per attempt on only 13 carries in the entire game.
Prediction:
The Cowboys are hurting in every area of the organization. This is a turning point for the team: after a miserable 1-7 first half of the season, Dallas can either play motivated football for a new head coach, or they can fall flat and succumb to the pressure and media scrutiny that accompanies “America’s Team” wherever it travels. Even if Dallas jumps to a hot start and plays inspired football, the Giants can play tough and deflate Dallas’ confidence; on the road in Dallas in week 7, New York responded to an early 20-7 second quarter deficit with 31 unanswered points. The Cowboys could show sparks of life in the seasons second half, but it won’t happen immediately and won’t happen in New York against this good of a Giants team. Giants cruise, 35-20.
Last week prediction: Giants 26, Seahawks 10 (41-7 actual)
Season prediction record: 7-1
What’s YOUR score?
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