1 Can the Giants keep chewing clock?
Dallas is the only team that has outgained its opponents in total yardage in every contest. As flimsy as its 1-4 record looks on paper, Dallas is plenty equipped to win a shootout. The Giants have their own share of weapons but it’s not in Manning’s style to start spraying the ball all over the field. Tom?Coughlin will try his best to play ball control all night.
2 Will the D-line continue to dominate?
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora has a team-high eight sacks — six have resulted in strips. Dallas left tackle Doug Free is a sieve and if forced to single block Umenyiora it could be a long day for the home team.
Tony Romo has connected for several long bombs this season but is known to hold the ball too long and make erratic decisions. Should all those things happen, Umenyiora could be in line for more sacks and a game-changing performance.
3 Will illegal hit rules change the game?
Both teams employ their share of “thumpers” as Coughlin calls them, so whichever team can show enough restraint and not accrue personal fouls will have an edge.
Coughlin, who’s witnessed tight end Kevin Boss sustain a concussion due to a questionable hit earlier this season, hopes the game is called evenly. “It is quite frustrating, to be honest with you, if a player is forced to leave a game because of an illegal hit and the other player continues.”
Key matchups
Eli Manning vs. Cowboys secondary
It’s been a different receiver that has shined in each of the four wins, so Dallas has its work cut out chasing around the likes of Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham. Manning has had recent success in Dallas, including beating the Cowboys in the 2007 divisional playoffs and last season’s inaugural Cowboys Stadium opener.
Edge: Giants
Giants ground game vs. Cowboys front
Ahmad Bradshaw (582 yards) and Brandon Jacobs (207) have more combined yards than any other duo in the NFC. They’ve settled into their respective roles and have excelled during this three-game winning streak. The Giants’ offensive line is finally healthy and appearing to round back into it form.
Edge: Giants
Giants secondary vs. Tony Romo
Romo’s numbers aren’t bad overall, but what has made his season a failure so far is his decision-making at key moments. Romo has seven interceptions, including two last week, and will throw against a Giants secondary that plays the ball as well as any unit. New York’s three-headed safety rotation of Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant has been a force this season and has enhanced the already solid play of corners Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster. Dallas, though, just has too many weapons in Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Roy Williams, Dez Bryant and Felix Jones.
Edge: Cowboys
