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Written by Mitch
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Thursday, 03 December 2009 07:08 |
 Dallas Cowboys (8-3) at New York Giants (6-5)
NFL Football: Sunday December 6, 2009 4:15 PM EST
Two NFC East rivals meet in the Meadowlands in a game that could go a long way towards deciding the division title as the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys.
When the New York Giants went into the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and knocked off the Cowboys it looked like they had a bright season ahead of them, little did they know at the time that it could be the highlight of their year. The Giants have staggered and stumbled through the season and haven't had much success against any teams that have a few wins under their belt. Though the Giants won at home two games back, last week in Denver they looked inept in what wasn't just their worst performance of the season, it was the worst the team has looked in several years. The Giants look to have no offensive punch as they just don't have wide receivers who can stretch the defense. This allows defenses to play closer to line and to stuff the running game and take away the Giants advantage of getting their large running backs into the secondary and forcing opposing defensive backs to make open field tackles. The Giants defense just didn't seem to have the punch either as the Broncos ran all over them. The Giants have five games to get it together and if they continue their current course, they will be on the outside looking in when the playoffs arrive.
The Dallas Cowboys come in off of a dominating performance at home against an over matched Oakland Raider team. Like the Giants, their game was on Thanksgiving so they have a few extra days of rest and preparation. The Cowboys have won six of their last seven games and look t be hitting their stride in time for the post season. It's no coincidence that the Cowboys success runs hand in hand with the success and health of the running game. When the Dallas running backs like Marion Barber and Felix Jones are dinged up, the Cowboys struggle. Tashard Choice is a nice third option and plays the wildcat role as well but he just doesn't pack the every down threat of the other two. The Dallas defense doesn't get a lot of sacks or turnovers but has still managed to stifle the opposition enough to give their team a chance to win. If it's possible at week 11, this is a unit that is still improving every week. The Dallas defense only allows just over 16 points a game.
The New York Giants haven't covered in their last six games and they are 1-4-1 in theor last six games against the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys are 4-1 against the spread following a straight up win and just 2-7 in their last nine as a road favorite. The Giants are 7-3-2 against the spread in the last 12 meetings between these two.
The Giants simply aren't a very good team this year though they looked earlier this season like they would be. Dallas is inconsistent but at least they have proved that they can win football games on a wekly basis. As I write this the spread has swung five points from where it opened and will be something to monitor as usually it will swing back the other way as it gets closer to game time, especially given the Giants historical edge at home in this match up. I still think Dallas guts this one out in a close one and with the line less than a field goal the Cowboys are the choice.
Mitch's Pick: Dallas Cowboys - 2 1/2
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