After a couple of off-weeks for the offense, the Cowboys were finally able to get it together on Thanksgiving and hold onto their lead in the NFC East. This Sunday, a major test awaits Dallas as they head to New York to face division foe Eli Manning and the Giants.
Sunday’s game comes at a crucial point in the season for Romo and company, especially because of their recent history. The last few years in Dallas have been marred by brutal Decembers for America’s Team, and many feel that Dallas must reverse that trend in order to become a contender for post-season success.
The New York Giants started out like wildfire, but have since cooled off, losing five of their last six, including a bruising loss to the Broncos on Thanksgiving. The Giants offense managed less than 300 total yards and the Broncos defense never let up; while Denver offense rushed for over 130-yards with their one-two combination.
The Giants are 3-2 at home this season; and Eli appears to be suffering a lingering foot injury that could complicate things for him against a ferocious Dallas defensive unit that will be looking to disrupt the QB all day long. The rush game for New York has averaged over 100-yards this season, so the Cowboys must be prepared to stop Brandon Jacobs for four quarters of football.
The key for Dallas on Sunday will be whether or not they can run the ball effectively against New York. This is where the Giants are vulnerable on defense, and if Dallas can use the “Three-Headed-Monster” to its full potential, this will provide Romo with some big-play opportunities; which could break the game wide-open.
This is an extremely important game for Dallas, and New York for that matter. The Eagles are keeping pace and sitting just a mere one-game back behind the Cowboys in the division; and a Giants win could put them right back in the thick of the division race, not to mention they would own the tiebreaker since they defeated Dallas back in Week 2. If the Cowboys can come out of Giants Stadium with a victory, this could be the start of a very eventful and uplifting December for a squad that has not shined late in the year the last few seasons.
GO COWBOYS!
