As Giants defensive end Michael Strahan put it after their first round playoff victory over Tampa Bay, “I hope the third time is a charm,” in reference to their two previous regular season losses during the regular season to the Dallas Cowboys. Their first match-up of the year came during the very first week of the season, a high scoring affair with the Cowboys coming up on top 45-35 in Dallas. In New York during week nine the Cowboys took that one 31-20. However, the Giants may be facing their nemesis at just the right time.
Never before in the history of NFL has a loss seemed so important to a team’s morale. During the final game of the year the New York Giants and New England Patriots played all of their starters in a seemingly meaningless game, as both teams have already etched in stone their playoff destinies. The one thing that was on the line was an undefeated season for the Patriots, which they ultimately got, but not after one of the best games of year. The 38-35 loss left the Giants feeling great, knowing they just hung with the best team in the league for four quarters, and left New York hoping to see them again. Amazingly the Giants only lost one game on the road this year, that was the Dallas game. It’s been said that one of the hardest things to do in the NFL is to beat the same team three times in the same season. The Giants are hoping that rings true for them this coming week.
The Cowboys went through the majority of the season riding high. Quarterback Tony Romo spent the majority of the season finding Terell Owens wide open down field. Win after win piled up, until around the 15th week of the year. They unexpectedly lost to the Eagles in Philadelphia, but only expected that to be a hiccup. Ironically, or because, according to some people, this was also the game that Jessica Simpson and Romo officially became a couple, and Simpson was seen in the press box cheering for her man throughout the game. Many fans, and even some teammates, view Simpson as a distraction, and will most likely boo if they see her at this game, no joking aside. After beating Carolina in week 16, they lost to the Redskins in week 17, allowing Washington to sneak into the playoffs. While that didn’t ultimately affect the Cowboys playoff standings, it was Romo’s 7 for 16, 86 yard performance that has Cowboys fans wondering if the Cowboys will once again sputter out early in the playoffs.
Of all the games this weekend, I see this one as having the biggest chance of an away team winning. The Giants are playing well, and the Cowboys could be in for some trouble. I feel this game is a pick-um, with the ultimate deciding factor being the play of Tony Romo. As of this second I am leaning towards a Giants upset victory.
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