The New York Football Giants (4-2) visit the Dallas Cowboys (1-4) on Monday Night Football tonight.
While many in the media are looking to the desperate, dysfunctional, sometimes dumb Cowboys as having to have this game to save their season, I view it in a different way. I think this is the perfect opportunity for the Giants to make a statement to the rest of the NFC and the league. The Cowboys are very talented, poorly coached, and prone to mistakes. Mistakes that cost them ball games. The Giants need to go on the road, in a very hostile environment, against a division opponent, and prove once again that they are the class of the league.
The Defense tonight will see a very mobile quarterback, some very speedy receivers, a talented, but injured tight end, and a running game that begs to be used more. The Giants tonight need to give the Cowboys coaching staff a reason to abandon the run early. They need to give them the excuse they seem to search for every game to put the ball exclusively in Tony Romo's hands. The Cowboys have three talented running backs of varying degrees, and with different talents. They don't seem to know what to do with any one of them on a consistent basis. The Giants D-Line, linebackers and safeties will keep them bewildered tonight. On the back end, it's all about speed and size for the Cowboys. Roy Williams has played better this year, which means he hasn't dropped as many passes as usual. Miles Austin is a true deep threat, who runs some bad routes, but will stretch your defense and will keep Kenny Phillips busy tonight. The G-Men do have one big advantage tonight, the Cowboy offensive line is a mess. Injuries, rookies, replacements abound. This is the major week point of the Dallas team and it has to go up against the strength of the New York Giants. Minnesota didn't take full advantage last week, because they just rush the passer, and mainly from the outside. Tony Romo was able to step up, and buy time, or run for big yardage. The Cowboys also threw 10 outlet passes to their backs and many many screen plays. The Giants have the advantage of having healthy tackles inside to apply pressure up the middle as well as the outside, forcing Romo to throw quickly. The Giants are disciplined in their rush and cover screens and outlets well with Boley, Grant, Rolle, and the corners supporting the line. Pressure on Romo is key, smart pressure that keeps him in the pocket and allows him to make the mistakes that have made him famous.
On offense tonight, its all about the run. The Cowboys play a three-four defense. They have good pass rushers from the middle and the outside. Their non-rushing linebackers are solid, and their secondary weak. The Giants must run the ball effectively to slow down the pass rush, keep the 'Boys honest, make them walk their safeties to the line, and then exploit the Cowboys down the field. The match-ups favor the G-Men all over the field. Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Kevin Boss can run free in this secondary, if the Giants prove they can run the ball, and give Eli the time he needs to carve this team to pieces.
This game comes at a perfect spot in the schedule. The Giants have some nagging injuries they need to play through tonight. Next week is an off week. They will have time to heal the weary. The next 9 games consist of 5 divisional games, and 3 more against NFC opponents who will be in the playoff hunt. The GIANTS can make a statement tonight that they are the team to beat, as long as they stay disciplined, and beat the disappointing Cowboys.
Cowboys favored at home by 3...which means its an even money game.
Enjoy!
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