When you’re sitting 8-3 at week 12, with the third best record in the NFC you hardly stop to think that you’re in a tight situation. Call me crazy, but I don’t think the Cowboys have secured any type of breathing room. Oddly enough, the NFC East leading Dallas Cowboys face, in my opinion, a must win situation this Sunday at the Meadowlands.
The Cowboys come into this Sunday fresh off a lopsided victory against Oakland. With revenge on their mind from the odd loss to the Giants in week 2, you expect the Cowboys to come out with all pistons flowing. However, this situations have reversed and the Giants are now desperate. A win for New York is crucial in maintaining any playoff hopes and that puts the Cowboys in a tough situation. In order to come out with a victory, Dallas needs to be firing on all cylinders.
New York will offer Dallas a game against the 9th ranked offense in the league, despite an injury to Eli Manning, you can still expect him to play at a high level. It’ll be key to win the battle in the trenches to keep Brandon Jacobs at bay and Eli on his toes. Forcing the offense into quick decisions will force them into mistakes, allowing Dallas to capitalize. The biggest threat in my opinion will be containing Steve Smith and Kevin Boss from becoming consistent targets and limiting the deep pass.
Defensively, New York is bruised and battered. Recently announcing Pierce’s season ending injury is a major loss to this defensive unit. Add Pierce to a depleted secondary and we should see a lot of opportunities emerge. Despite New Yorks 23.7 point per game average, they still rank 4th in yards allowed (290.5 yards/per game). It’ll take proper game planning and balance on Jason Garrett’s behalf to be able to break this one open.
Most importantly, a loss this week would give the Giants a sweep of the team. Allowing Philly to, more then likely, tie it up, down a stretch that favors Philadelphia over the last 5 games. I hope that the Cowboys bring their “A” game and don’t over look the challenge that awaits them, it’s December and all games are big.
Bryan, I agree that the ‘Boys must come out with a win here. Not only for the NFC East title picture, but the playoff picture as well. We have a lead, but one that could easily fall apart if we don’t have consistent plays from our current and emerging stars.
I still expect the Gnats to bring a formidable run game and while I think Eli is overrated, he can still get his team down the field. We need Sensabaugh and Jenkins to have big games, which won’t happen unless Ware, Brooking, and Spencer have a big game as well.
Go Cowboys!