As in all professional sports, but specifically the NFL, there is something inherently dangerous about a team with something to prove; and in many ways, the Giants have a great deal to prove to themselves more than anyone else. Heading into Dallas this weekend poses a challenge of epic proportions, but this Giants team that takes the field Sunday evening will be ready more than any other for the challenge that waits.

It has taken almost four months, but the Giants have seemingly reached a point where everything is falling in place, with the team saving their best stretch of the season for the playoffs. This is nothing new of course; the Giants have made it a habit of sorts, playing their best when it counts. “You can look back at the other two games and learn from them, but it doesn’t mean anything,” said Eli Manning. “This is a whole new game, a whole new situation, and that is what we are looking forward to.”

And in truth, Sunday’s match up is very much a unique opportunity for the visitors in more way than one. The Giants and Cowboys have met a total of 91 times in the teams’ histories, but Sunday marks the first time the teams will meet three times in a season and the first time they will meet in playoff action. The Giants also have a chance to make history with a win this Sunday; a ninth consecutive road win would be an NFL record.

Things have changed quite a bit since these two teams met in Week 10, a game that the Cowboys won handily. For starters, the Cowboys will enter the game on their worst run of play this season – a three game stretch that has seen them drop two games against divisional rivals and barely pull out wins against the likes of the Lions and Panthers.

More importantly, the Cowboys have major questions about the health of the team – specifically Romo and Owens – that could ground their high flying offense. Even beyond injury issues and poor form, the Cowboys must deal with pressure on their team from various sources, including an owner who many believe has indicated to Wade Phillips that his job depends on the outcome of Sunday’s game.

The Giants on the other hand appear to be operating in a pressure free environment, seemingly enjoying the ride they are on. “To be honest, they have more pressure on them than we do,” said Antonio Pierce. “We are just the 10-6 Giants against the number one seed Cowboys, who are going to win the Super Bowl.”

That it is not to say the team is not motivated, in fact it is exactly the opposite. In many ways the team has united behind a common goal of winning for some of the elder statesmen of the team. “It doesn’t matter if it is your first year, 15th year, 17th, it feels great to be in the playoffs,” said Defensive Captain, Michael Strahan. “You are one of the few teams that are left, it is a great opportunity to prove yourself every week because you realize if you fail, you go home and if you win, you stay, and it only gets bigger and better.”

Injury Report

The Giants will have the luxury of bringing back some of their starters that missed the Wild Card round of playoffs. Center Shaun O’Hara was fitted with a brace last week and returned to practice in a limited capacity this week. Grey Ruegamer played well in his stead last week, but the team will be happy to have the leader of the offensive line back.

Defensive Back Sam Madison was inactive for the most part in practice this week. The veteran was still recovering from a strained abdominal muscle and will likely sit again this week. Kevin Dockery also missed the week’s practices, recovering from a hip flexor. Expect Corey Webster to be called upon to start again this week.

Plaxico Burress went into more detail about the injury he had been dealing with throughout the season – having actually torn the tendon from the bone in his ankle. Burress practiced lightly again this week, he looked fairly mobile last week and the Giants will need him to be ready to take on Terence Newman. Kareem McKenzie suffered an injury to his ankle against the Bucs, he is listed as probable.

The Cowboys have some big names injured this week as well, with the biggest name being Terrell Owens. The pro bowl wide receiver suffered a high ankle sprain against the Panthers and is questionable but likely to play for Sunday’s game. Joining Owens is Terry Glenn. Glenn is returning from a knee injury that saw him sit for 15 games; Glenn is officially listed as probable but won’t start and will be used in a limited capacity. Rounding out the report for the Cowboys is center Andre Gurode, who is probable and should play.

Game Preview

Offense

Eli Manning is finally beginning to look like a quarter back that has a bright future in the NFL. This week he will play against a defense that he historically has played very well against – going for over 500 yards with five touchdowns in his two starts against them this season. Manning will probably have a more open passing game ton work with this week, playing against a defensive backfield that doesn’t cause as many problems as Tampa Bay’s, but he will have to deal with a much more potent pass rush that has sacked him six times, five of which came in their second meeting. This may or may not be a change for the positive as their short passing game helped keep drives going and was a settling influence on Manning, a more open passing game means more big plays but probably less completions (or at least a lower percentage of completions). The key for Eli will be to keep the ball protected and wait for the big plays to open up.

In his earlier meetings with the Cowboys, Jacobs found himself injured early in the season opener but performed very well in their second encounter going for 95 yards. Since those games, Jacobs has begun to come into his own as a running back, putting up his best overall games. Jacobs will certainly pose some match-ups problems as always, but the Cowboys have the size at linebacker to stop him if needed. The player who could end up figuring more into the game is Ahmad Bradshaw; Bradshaw should be able to use his speed to get around the corner against a big, slow defensive line. The Cowboys do not allow many yards on the ground, so the Giants may use the running game to open up some plays downfield.

The receivers will have some nice mismatches as well, particularly Plaxico Burress against the Cowboys’ Terence Newman. Burress will have a six inch height advantage and an even longer reach advantage over the talented defensive back. Kevin Boss will also pose problems for the coverage challenged Roy Williams. Boss should be able to use his superior speed and size to open up some room down the seam and could cause some problems deep.

Amani Toomer played very well against a Bucs team that struggled to stop him in the short passing game last week; the Giants would be well served to use him in a similar role this week. Steve Smith will likely be called upon in the slot again this week.

The offensive line has dealt with injuries as well as can be expected, with Ruegamer and Whimper coming in and playing without much drop-off. Luckily the Giants will be full strength again this week, getting O’Hara back, which will help Eli Manning’s confidence. In terms of run blocking, the Giants will have their hands full, expect to see Madison Hedgecock and Mike Matthews called upon to lend a hand. In the passing game, the Giants will have to deal with some big time pass rushers, particularly DeMarcus Ware. Dave Diehl will likely draw Ware, with Rich Seubert sliding over to block Chris Canty.

Defense

The defensive line will need to keep up with their recent trend of putting big pressure on the quarter back. Last week they were able to get Garcia under enough pressure to keep him off balance, Romo will be another mobile passer that the Giants will need to contain within the pocket. The Giants really struggled to get after Romo in their earlier match-ups recording only two sacks. Michael Strahan will once again be the driving force in getting at Romo, drawing Marc Colombo who lapses in pass blocking at times. If the Giants can’t get the kind of pressure they need throughout the game, Romo will have an easier time of picking apart the secondary. The Cowboys will likely counter the pass rush by utilizing a talented running game, the Giants will have to work hard to contain Marion Barber III and if they can stop him they can force Romo to make some bad passes.

The linebackers will have their hands full, not only with a tough running back that makes the defense work, but a very talented pass catching tight end who gives the Giants fits. Expect the Giants to commit one linebacker to lend a hand to the safety tasked with covering Whitten. Kawika Mitchell will be healthy and present a threat on defense that the Giants didn’t truly have in their first two meetings, effective in blitzing and in coverage. Antonio Pierce will have to be ready for a tough night, stopping Barber on runs up the middle. Reggie Torbor will be called upon to bring pressure from the strong side, chasing down Romo and stopping him if he gets room to run.

The defensive backfield will have to deal with a player they have yet to find an answer for. Owens ran past Sam Madison in their first two meetings, expect the Giants to try and use their speed in Webster and Ross to keep him quiet this time around. Patrick Crayton is a strong possession receiver who was often left alone in their second meeting; The Giants will have to account for him this time if they hope to pull out a win. James Butler will likely have the unenviable job of trying to stop Jason Whitten; he should get help from Torbor or Mitchell in the form of bracket coverage with Butler responsible for covering Whitten deep and the linebacker covering everything in front of Whitten.

Special Teams

The kicking game will be very important, needing to convert as many field goals as possible. Tynes has been very steady as of late, his last miss against the Redskins was in windy conditions, his last miss before that being against the Dolphins in muddy conditions. Domenik Hixon has looked dangerous against on kick offs; he is as good a bet as any to break one off against the Cowboys.

The Verdict

The Giants have played the Cowboys very hard in their previous two meetings, only falling out the games in the fourth quarter where they were outscored 21-3. The Giants must play hard the entire game and still hope for some help from Romo in the form of turnovers. This is certainly a winnable game if the Giants can stick to a game plan and jump out early, putting pressure on the Cowboys to make big plays to win the game.

Giants 21 – Cowboys 20

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