This fall, the 5-person Tailgate32 crew, led by Mike and John Trupiano, will criss-cross the country in an RV, hosting a public tailgate at a home game for every NFL team. Sounds crazy, right? It is, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s these guys. The project aims to capture the essence of American tailgating and football fandom in every city they visit. And, get this, you can track their adventure. Following each game, the Tailgate32 crew will release a fast-paced 6-minute episode online, documentary style. Feel free to live vicariously through Mike and John.

In the meantime, head to their website and watch the preseason trailer that was just released for an idea of what to expect. It’s looking good!

New York is the first stop of the tour and the chance for Giants fans to show Tailgate32 what football fandom is all about. Come out to the game, wear your Giants blue and find them in parking lot. Join the conversation and tell them what foods to grill, beers to drink and tailgate crews to seek out on their website (http://tailgate32.com), facebook (http://facebook.com/tailgate32) or twitter (http://twitter.com/tailgate_32).

In Super Bowl XLII, Burress caught a game-winning touchdown to help the Giants beat the Patriots.

Plaxico Burress found himself in trouble win when he shot himself in the leg while at a nightclub on Novemver 29, 2008. He was sentenced to two years in prison for violating gun laws in New York  in September 2009 . Burress pleaded guilty to a lesser firarms charge.

After being released three months early for good behavior, he signed with the Jets for the 2011 season.  He scored eight touchdowns, 612 yards and 45 receptions. He tied the team high for TDs and receptions.

Recently there were rumors circulating that Burress would be signing with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys organization denies any internal conversations about bringing Burress to Dallas.

Since Irvin left town, Jerry Jones has been eager to sign flashy free agent wide receivers. Notable free agent wideouts who have made their way to Dallas include Joey Galloway, Terrell Owens and Roy Williams, and none of those players were able to match the great things expected of them. Galloway was the first big-name receiver the Cowboys brought in to replace Irvin, but his tenure was a disappointment right from the start. Galloway was signed away from Seattle after racking up at least 1,000 receiving yards in four of his six years with the Seahawks, and promptly tore his ACL in his first game with the Cowboys, missing the remainder of the 2000 season. He would never top 1,000 yards receiving or appear in a playoff game during his 3 remaining years with the team.

The next big name free agent receiver to make his way to Dallas was by far the most productive one – Terrell Owens. Owens compiled at least 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns during each of his three years in Dallas from 2006-2008. But for everything Owens brought to the team on the field, he removed more off of it. Owens fractured team chemistry by getting into arguments with then wide receivers coach Todd Haley, and even accused quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten of conspiring to keep him from getting the ball.  Despite all of his production, the Cowboys never won a playoff game with T.O. on the roster.

Finally, Roy Williams was traded to Dallas in 2008, 2 years removed from a season that saw him collect 1,300 receiving yards with the Detroit Lions. Despite Dallas’ willingness to send 3 picks – including a first-rounder – to Detroit for the receiver, Williams would never even approach the level of production that was expected of him. He finished his Cowboys’ career with 1,324 yards and 13 touchdowns in 40 games with the team, prompting Jones to say afterwards that he’d “love to have that trade back.”

Clearly, if anyone should knows the risks of acquiring a high-profile receiver, it’s Jerry Jones. Not to mention, one can hardly imagine a worse role model than Burress for the troubled receiver already on the Cowboys’ roster, Dez Bryant. I was frustrated last year when the Giants failed to sign Burress only to see him sign with a rival, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Big Blue as it opened up playing time for breakout star Victor Cruz. If Burress signs with the hated Cowboys this year, expect history to repeat itself.

 ”Mike Jenkins will not practice while the Cowboys are in California and his availability to start the regular season is in doubt.”

The lack of depth on the Cowboys is stunning.  They signed former Jet safety Brodney Pool this offseason, and then cut him this week.  Signing a Jet safety probably wasn’t the best idea, and Pool proved he’s not interested in working hard.  Thaf leaves Gerald Sensabaugh and Barry Church as the starters right now.  No wonder Hakeem Nicks is working so hard to get back healthy for opening night.  Behind them are listed 5 guys with a combined 4 years of experience.  The dream of having a shut down secondary might have to put on hold for a while.  Add to this the fact that Morris Claiborne is already hurt, and Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick were the guys you wanted to replace, are the backups.

On offense it doesn’t look any prettier: Dez Bryant, who is one wild weekend away from a suspension, and Miles Austin are the starting wide-outs.  Miles managed to get into 10 games last year because of injuries, while Bryant played in 15.  Behind them?  Kevin Ogletree at 6′ 1″ and 190 and Dwayne Harris at 5’10″.  At running back they have DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones.  Murray had a great season last year, but was injured the final 5 games and registered just 17 carries for 63 yards in that span.  Felix finished the season with efforts of 4/24 against Philly and 11/30 versus the Giants in must win games.

The new NFL is a pass first league.  The Cowboys seem ill prepared for such a journey.  They seem to have no available answers for the 4 and 5 wide sets they will see against most teams.  They also seem like they are one nagging injury away from a losing season.

“Y’all should come to that (Cowboys) stadium and watch us beat the Giants’ ass,” Jones told fans during a ceremony to signal the opening of Cowboys’ training camp Monday, a festival-like event that featured a few skydivers and a performance from the franchise’s famous cheerleaders.

Now, it is possible that  Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, is just looking to start some smack-talking in order to sell seats at Cowboys Stadium. However, whether he believes this statement or not it is a ridiculous statement.

Including a playoff game on January 13, 2008, with Eli Manning at the starting QB position, the Giants are 4 and 1 in Cowboys Stadium. In those five games the Giants’ offense averaged 278 passing yards per game with three games over 300 passing yards including one game with 400 passing yards. In the last three years the Giants have averaged 345.33 passing yards per game in Cowboys Stadium.

Giants @ Cowboys when Eli Manning is starting QB

In addition to a great record in Cowboys Stadium, the Giants are 3 and 1 at home against the Cowboys from 2008 to 2011. The Cowboys have made no impressive acquisitions in the off season to make anyone think they will be better this year. The only news out of Dallas these days is starting WR Dez Bryant’s arrest for assaulting his mother and starting RB Felix Jones’ inability to pass the team’s mandatory physical fitness test.

Will the Giants beat the Cowboys in the season opener September 5, 2012? My money is on the Giants. It is, of course, possible that the Giants will lose. If they lose, it won’t be an ass-kicking from Cowboys, it will be a close and hard-fought game in which the Cowboys manage to eek out a win. As I stated before, my money is on the Giants.

Jan 1, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) meet on the field after their game at MetLife Stadium. Giants won 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Chris Faytok/The Star-Ledger via US PRESSWIRE

So Jerry Jones wants to kick some Giant ass. Well, come September 5th he will have his chance. At a recent Cowboy practice Jones told fans “y’all come to that stadium and watch us beat the Giants ass.” For a team that continues to choke in big spots they sure do a lot of  trash talking.  Leave it to Jones and his ego to write checks his team can’t cash.

Eli Manning and the Giants have had great success in the Cowboys Stadium since its opening. Eli is 3-0 there with over 1000 yds passing, 8 TDs and a 99.86% passer rating, some amazing 4th quarter comebacks and his name signed on the wall. Not to mention his two Super Bowl MVPs vs Romo’s pathetic post season record. I guess Jones figures eventually he will win eventually. Don’t count on it.

The Cowboys have been soft in the Romo era, the have had late season collapses and their fans are becoming increasing hostile towards Romo, Jones and the lack of post season football they are seeing. I guess it makes sense that Jones has to talk about beating the Giants to hype the game, his team and the fans. After all, the G-Men are the reigning Super Bowl Champions and since Jones hasn’t had a sniff of the Lombardi Trophy recently he figures by saying he will kick the Champs ass it’s easy publicity. Good Luck Jerry, your going to need it.

Before all that however will be a very competitive and entertaining training camp for the Giants.  While the Giants have many key players returning, they also have some holes to fill.  Stay tuned to GMenHQ for all the information you will need as the roster fills out and is cut down to the final number.

This season it seems the Cowboys will put their QB under the microscope for all to analyze, pick at, prod, and poke.  Is Tony Romo a winner? Is he an ELIte QB?  Some of his stats seem to indicate that he is.  Some of his actions seem to show otherwise.  According to  teammate Jason Witten he is one of the best there is.

 “There’s been some great quarterbacks who have come through that organization. You look at Roger Staubach and Troy [Aikman], and the expectations are Super Bowls. He’s a phenomenal, cool quarterback. He’s an elite quarterback. But until we win the big game, the criticism is going to come. We understand that, and we have high expectations. Tony is a phenomenal player and a phenomenal player for our football team.”

The emphasis on quarterback play in the NFL is at it’s highest point ever.  Almost no one speaks of team chemistry, or the ability to exploit their opponents weaknesses.  In this world of fantasy football, all that is mentioned each week is the amount of yards gained by the QB, and the number of TD’s he throws.  Forget defense, forget the running game, forget the key play executed or not executed in a game….it’s all about total stats.  Cowboy fans may want to point out TD’s vs interceptions, or total yards, but it’s the timing of those interceptions, and the meaning of the TD’s scored that really counts.

I wish Tony and the Cowboys well…..the debate will rage all year, and if they fall short of the playoffs, or the division crown, or a playoff win…..it will continue on into the future.

 Cat: I see you’ve been busy these last couple of days – I even saw you on the morning news earlier today. You must be exhausted!

 JPP: Definitely, but I think I’ve been doing a great job

 Cat:  It’s an honor to be interviewing you, I’m a Giants fan and obviously have become a huge fan of yours over the last couple of years.

JPP: That’s what’s up.

Cat: So here we are on the eve of the draft, could you tell our readers a little about your draft day experience?

JPP: Let me take you back. First of all, I didn’t know where I was going. It didn’t really matter if it was the first round or second round, either way I would’ve been the player I am today. The Giants picked me at the 15th pick and they made a great pick, and I am happy to be here today. Honestly, draft day is crazy, but I wasn’t nervous at all.

 Cat: Well, you knew you were getting drafted early didn’t you?

JPP: Nah I didn’t. I didn’t know if I was going first round or second round. I didn’t really care—like I said I still would’ve been the player I am today. Once they put me out there I was going to do what I had to do.

Cat: How has New York been to you so far?

 JPP: It’s been great. New York is a crazy place to stay, a lot of people walking around, I love it. I like the fans too, they’re crazy. I’ll tell you one thing though, once you do something wrong they will let you know, they will boo you. Otherwise the fans are great here you’ve got to love them.

 Cat: I was actually at the parade this year. How was that experience for you?

JPP: That was a hell of a parade. I thought it was never going to end. It was a long parade I actually jumped down and went into the stands. It was fun, I hope we have one this year.

Cat: How does it feel to have contributed so much, not only to the Giants but to the NFL, this early in your career? You made the Pro Bowl, you have a Super Bowl ring, what’s next for JPP?

JPP: What’s next for me? Keep hitting it. I want to get better and better—if you think I was good this year than wait until next year. I want to see more 90 jerseys in the stands – you know how that goes, you don’t want to buy a jersey until you see what that player can do.

Cat: Has there been a player that has been like a mentor to you?

 JPP: I’d say all the guys have been mentors to me, I’m not even going to lie.  Especially in the D-line room, we know we’re the heart of the defense so we talk a lot. So, one mentor, no, we all talk a lot and we help out each other and go out and play hard every week.

Cat: Given the rumors flying, do you think by this time next week Osi will still be a Giant? 

This tells me the Eagles are in love with Fletcher Cox, DT out of Mississippi State who is a Top 10 projection. Worst case scenario for the Eagles is they stay at 16th loose Barron (to Cowboys) and Cox and draft Michael Brockers, DT out of LSU which really is not that bad of a choice. Now if the Cowboys do not get Barron (whether he is drafted higher or the Eagles make a move for him) well they have a lot of other needs on Defense with emphasis on the D-line. Courtney Upshaw, DE out of Alabama may still be available. So could Nick Perry, DE out of USC or South Carolina’s OLB Melvin Ingram who can cause some chaos in Rob Ryan’s blitz happy scheme.

Now the Giants, holding the last pick and a team that sticks to the philosophy of best available player. Okay I am going to get opinionated here; to all those Coby Fleener TE from Stanford supporters, not happening. The Giants signed Martellus Bennett, Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin saw something in this TE that made them believers (maybe to a degree). That being said I can see the Giants drafting a TE like Ladarius Green from Louisiana-Lafayette, Deangelo Peterson, TE, LSU or Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri in Rounds 3 or 4. As for the OT Mike Adams (Ohio State) believers, not happening either. The G-Men have not drafted a OT since 1999 and are staunch believers they can find a good OL in the later rounds and develop him within the organization. Now add to this the rumors of Adams being a “work hard when he feels like it guy”. Does that sound like someone Coughlin would put up with?

So who should it be? The Mel Kipers and Todd McShays of the Draft World will never be able to predict how a draft will go and who will move up or down. Now if Kendall Wright, WR from Baylor happens to move down to 32 grab him. He will open the Giants Offense even more and make Cruz and Nicks look that much better. Now I have been a supporter of RB Doug Martin (Boise State) he is a good runner between the lines and is great in pass protection, receiving and YAC (yards after catch). But we don’t know who will be there at 32, we don’t have that crystal ball. One thing we do know if there is a highly rated DE at 32, well enough said.

1) We know the division will be better:  The Eagles can’t possibly be worse than they were last year.  Although Andy Reid decided to stay with his embattled defensive coordinator and his odd scheme, they have already strengthened the linebacking corps in free agency.  This was truly their biggest weakness, and they had a terrible draft class last season while trying to address it.  I imagine they might be a bit better than 8-8 this season, if and this is the question surrounding the Eagles, if Mike Vick can last.

The Redskins will be improved also, but not as much as people are saying I believe.  A young top QB is a great thing to have, but not always so great in their first year with questionable weapons surrounding them.  The Redskins did make some moves to improve on offense, but it is still a work in progress and not sure it is going to yield fast results.  Of course they beat us twice last year with no QB, so these games will be critical to our success this year.

2) The AFC North is tough: Baltimore still has a good defense if not great.  They have a very good running attack. They also have an embattled QB that needs to prove he is the man for the job.  The Giants don’t get them until late in the season, so the jury should be in on Joe Flacco by then.  Pittsburgh, although aging, is always tough, and they have a top notch QB.  Cincy is the improving team, and they could get a lot better with some good draft picks this year.  We will need to see how they grow together.

3) Road Trips: In San Fran, In Carolina on three days rest, and that is really it.  The Giants really caught a break this year with their home and road distribution. One trip west of Dallas all year, 5 games at home and 5 on the road before the BYE in week 11, which of course means 3 and 3 after the BYE. Finishing the season at home, maybe in primetime, maybe in another NFC East Championship game….all good things!

A prediction you say? Well before the draft is always a tough time to make a prediction, but at first glance I said 10-6.

Here now is the remainder of the GIANTS 2012 NFL Schedule:

Week One: vs Dallas September 5th (WEDNESDAY NIGHT) 8:30 P.M. (NBC)

Week Two: vs Tampa Bay September 16th 1:00 P.M. (FOX)

Week Three: At Carolina September 20th (THURSDAY NIGHT) 8:20 P.M. (NFLN)

Week Four: At Philadelphia September 30th (SUNDAY NIGHT) 8:20 P.M. (NBC)

Week 5: vs. Cleveland October 7th 1:00 P.M. (CBS)

Week 6: At San Francisco October 14th 4:15 (FOX)

Week 7: vs Washington October 21st 1:00 P.M. (FOX)

Week 8: At Dallas October 28th 4:15 P.M. (FOX)

Week 9: vs Pittsburgh November 4th 4:15 P.M. (CBS)

Week 10: At Cincinnati November 11th 1:00 P.M. (FOX)

Week 11: BYE (Nov 18th) November 18th

Week 12: vs Green Bay November 25th (SUNDAY NIGHT) 8:20 P.M. (NBC)

Week 13: At Washington December 3rd (MONDAY NIGHT) 8:30 P.M. (ESPN)

Week 14: vs. New Orleans December 9th 4:15 (FOX)

Week 15: At Atlanta December 16th 1:00 P.M. (FOX)

Week 16: At Baltimore December 23rd 1:00 P.M. (FOX)

Week 17: vs. Philadelphia December 30th (SUNDAY NIGHT) 8:00 P.M. (NBC) FLEX GAME PREDICTION

Details on days and times to follow, but as you can see a late BYE week, two sets of back to back road games, and a late season schedule of Division Rivals and Playoff Teams from last year, actually after Week 5 they play either a division rival or a playoff contender from 2011…..Here is the link to the entire NFL 2012 Schedule

Many had thought , for good reason, that the NFL would pair the previous two Super Bowl Champions against each other with the Packers making a trip to New Jersey.   The news came out that actually the NFL had been considering the Cowboys and Saints as opening night opponents for the Giants, and with the mess the Saints have gotten themselves into, they were obviously disregarded as a possibility.

So. it’s all set…..Wednesday September 5th in New York against the Cowboys, hope they don’t mind a little Ring Ceremony before the start of the game!

Expect the NFL to keep the information coming as rule changes will be voted on, Player punishments for the Saints, and the new NIKE uniforms are unveiled next week (April 3rd).  Oh yeah, and a little thing called the NFL Draft is just a month away.

Bennett is listed at 6’6″ 275 lbs. His deal is for one year at 2.5 million. In four seasons, Bennett, a second-round pick in 2008, caught 85 passes for 846 yards with four touchdowns, all of which came in his rookie year. A solid blocker, Bennett was never able to become a regular part of the passing game and he was unable to take advantage of the limited opportunities he had behind Jason Witten in Dallas.

On December 18th the Giants lost a terrible game to the Washington Redskins to fall to 7-7.  This coming off the Sunday night win in Dallas that was billed as a must win for their playoff chances. On that day the offense looked awful for the first time all year.  It was a brutally cold and windy day in New Jersey, and the Giants looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there as they got pushed around and bullied by the ‘Skins.

Next up the New York Jets.  Obviously this game came at just the right time.  Although the Jets walked down the field on their first drive, the Giants made adjustments at halftime and won the game 29-14.  This was the first game in which the defense showed some aggression.  They went with more man coverage on the outside.  They were physical with the Jet receivers, and applied the pass rush that they had become known for in past years.  Forcing the Jets into trying to execute long drives. The defense was responsible for just the 7 points in this game.  Then the re-match with the Cowboys arrived and another stellar defensive effort, helped out by the fact the offense gave them 21 points to work with in the first half.  Again the opponent scored just 14 points.  The defenses confidence grew, the game plan became similar game to game.  Keep the play in front of you, be physical, and play as a team.  The Falcons were the next victim scoring zero points in the first ever playoff game at the new stadium.  The following two weeks brought totals of 20 and 17 points scored against.  The formula works….and here we are in the Super Bowl.

The defense has now made this the most balanced team that entered the playoffs.  If they remain balanced in their play, we should have another parade down the Canyon of Heroes in the very near future.

August 21, 2010; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Danny Ware (right, middle) is hit on the play by defensive end Dave Tollefson (71) and taken out of the game by the cart in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at New Meadowlands Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Earlier today we wrote a post about how the Giants needed to apply pressure on the Packers and steal 2 possessions to have a chance to win.  They actually stole four possessions, but Referee Bill Leavy gave two of them back to the Packers.  No matter, instead of getting credit for a 37-6 win, and keeping the high flying Packer offense out of the end zone, the Giants settle for a 37-20 win and a trip to San Francisco for their 5th NFC Championship game.  Tomorrow we will break it down play by play.

So, First the “experts” picked the Eagles to be the team of the year. Then it was the Jets and the Cowboys. Then the darlings of the media were the Packers and of course the “Great at Home” New Orleans Saints.  And yet the Tom Coughlin led New York Football Giants will try to make it to their 2nd Super Bowl in 5 years….Rex Ryan must be beside himself.

The Giants finished their regular season in style, with a little flash, and according to the script we laid out last week in an article titled Giants All In  The Giants are looking stronger as a team each week and are NFC EASTERN DIVISION CHAMPS.  They now host the Atlanta Falcons in the first ever playoff game at New Giants Stadium Sunday at 1:00 Eastern.  Let’s take a quick look back at the Cowboy game.

The Giants for the first time in a long time started quickly.  Electing to defer after winning the toss, they figured they would test Tony Romo and his bruised hand quickly, and see how he did in the wind and the rain.  Tony actually had a pretty good statistical night finishing 29/37 with 2 TD’s and one INT. A rating of 106.  However after running just 7 plays in their first two drives the Cowboys found themselves down 7-0.  One of the keys we discussed was the Giants healthy defensive line against the Cowboys Offensive line. The rotation of fresh players took it’s toll on the Cowboys as a combination of J.P.P., Tuck, Canty, and Osi Umenyiora accounted for 5 of the 6 sacks the Giants had on the night.  There were a few errant snaps from the Cowboy centers as we had discussed, and overall their line played poorly.

The other topic we touched on last week was the playmaking ability of both teams in the passing game.  Both Laurent Robinson and Victor Cruz made some big plays, but on this night Victor was the star again…even though Laurent thought he could dance the salsa too.  Cruz finished the game with 6 catches for 178 yards and another memorable TD.  Hakeem Nicks had a solid game as did Dez Bryant, but the Giants FINISHED their plays, as the Cowboys seemed to muddle along.

In the running game the Giants, although it sure didn’t seem like it, rushed for 106 yards, while the Cowboys managed just 49.  The ability to get some production out of the running game for the Giants is paramount to success.  The fact that Ahmad Bradshaw can run it in from anywhere, and Brandon Jacobs punishes those that dare get in his way when he makes it into the secondary, allows the Giants to be balanced and keeps defenses on their heals.

The Giants have FINISHED the seasons of the Cowboys, Eagles, and Jets, the past three weeks.  Let’s see if they can’t send the Dirty Birds from Atlanta south for the winter.

Offensively, Victor Cruz came through again. Another spectacular catch and run for a TD. Hakeem Nicks avoided the drops and had a big game as well. Bear Pascoe came up big, as did Henry Hynoski. Both of them made big catches in crucial situations, and showed some leaping ability as well. Poor Terrence Newman was the targeted d-back, and the Giants took advantage of the mismatch. The line kept Eli Manning upright, and Eli had zero INT’s. The rushing game still looks like a weak link, although there were flashes of brilliance last night, and Ahmad Bradshaw came up big in situations, as did D.J. Ware.

Defensively, the G-Men played well, although they felt a need to make things close. Whether it was the urgency of playing for a playoff spot or a ticket home, playing for a job next year, the return of Osi, a simplified scheme, or any other factor, the Giants defense came through. They d-line gave Dallas’ undermanned o-line fits, and put consistent pressure on Tony Romo. They held Dallas’ wekened rushing game in check, but still gave up some plays to the wideouts.

Special teams managed, with a bit of luck, to avoid a costly turnover, and the Giants got a few lucky bounces. The missed 40 yard field goal hurt, but Tynes came back to make the 28 yarder. All in all, not a bad way to close out the season. The Giants now face the Falcons at home next week. For now, let’s just enjoy the victory. Way to go, gentlemen! (more…)

From Tom Coughlin, to Eli Manning, to Justin Tuck, and the suddenly vocal Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants appear to be ALL IN.  Even Lawrence Taylor chimed in this week, saying only the Giants were capable of beating the Giants in this contest Sunday Night at Giants Stadium against the Cowboys of Arlington.  The Giants will hand out towels to all fans Sunday that have the phrase ALL IN Printed on them, and it seems to reflect the mood around Giant camp this week.

No bold predictions, but a confidence that they know if they play together, play smart, they can accomplish anything.  They are at home playing for a division title, they are coming off a dominant defensive win, their first of the year, and they think they can continue with that effort.  Let’s take a look at some of the match-ups.

Giants D-Line vs. Dallas O-Line:  The Giants will have a full complement of defensive linemen to rotate into the game Sunday Night.  Osi is back, Tuck is healthy, and J.P.P. has gotten better every week.  The rotation of healthy pass rushers and run stoppers is phenomenal.  Chris Canty, Rocky Benard, Linval Joseph and Dave Tollefson will all contribute.  The Cowboy offensive line is perhaps the weakest part of their team.  Costa at center has been injured, and is inconsistent at best.  Not just his blocking, but snapping the ball in shotgun formation is always an adventure.  Tony Romo, with his bruised hand, figures to be in shotgun a lot Sunday, so look for this to be factor at some point.  Montrae Holland, the starting left guard, was placed on IR last week ending his season.  J.P.P. lines up against Doug Free, who he beat repeatedly last time they met, and now next to him is either Daniel Loper or  rookie Kevin Kowalski.  Kosier and Smith are pretty good on the right side, but Justin Tuck missed most of the previous Dallas game, and he will be back in force to challenge this side of the line.  The Giants should have no problem getting pressure on Tony Romo Sunday night.

Dallas running game vs. Giants D:  The Giants have struggled against the run all year.  Except for the odd play calling last week, the Giants really haven’t stopped anyone from running against them this season.  The Cowboys however are down to one healthy running back in Sammy Morris, and one that is listed as questionable in Felix Jones.  If the Giants can just limit the running game it will go a long way towards defeating the Cowboys.  Not having to drop the safeties down, or worry about the corners giving too much run support will help this defense perform better as a whole.

Both Passing Offenses vs Pass Defenses:  The last few times these teams have met they have scored plenty of points.  The passing games of both these teams can be lethal.  The pure speed of Miles Austin going one-on-one against Aaron Ross.  The height and strength of both Hakeem Nicks of the Giants and Dez Bryant of the Cowboys can be unstoppable.  The playmaking ability of Victor Cruz and Laurent Robinson can be devastating.  If these two quarterbacks get time, they WILL complete passes, and for big plays.

Giants running attack vs Dallas D:  The Giants running attack awoke three weeks ago in Dallas.  Brandon Jacobs always seems to run hard against Dallas.  I think he likes running over their undersized safeties and little corners.  Ahmad Bradshaw is fresh and running fierce.  D. J Ware has found a role as a pass catcher, a very good blocker, and two point specialist, and Henry Hynoski is healthy and opening holes.  If the Giants can have a balanced attack, and run the ball for a nice average, Eli will have a big day.

The weather seems like it will be a non-factor, of course the wind current will play games at times, but should only affect the kicking game.  Turnovers, Penalties, and Special Teams will be all important in this one as always.  Sunday Night at Home for all the marbles, and a chance to get into the playoffs and maybe make a nice run.  ALL IN!

Plan remains the same…No Herzlich, No Ballard.  Everyone else says they are ALL IN!