Surprisingly, going into the final week of the NFL regular season, the New York Giants (5-10) continues to fight for the NFC East title and no. 3 general choices in the 2021 project.
The Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys (6-9) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Despite the tumultuous 2020 campaign for Dallas, Mike McCarthy’s group will also seek an unlikely NFC East crown.
New York opened the week as underdogs of 2.5 points at home, although the line moved to New York by +1.5.
This movement is the product of the recent game played by both teams. Joe Judge’s team is facing a disappointing three-game losing streak, losing to the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
Dallas won three consecutive wins, albeit against weaker competition, especially as a defender. The Cowboys defeated Brandon Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals, Nick Mullens and the San Francisco 49ers, and the Philadelphia Eagles in Jalen Hurts’ second early career.
Dallas won the first fight, 37-34, in Week 5 at AT&T Stadium. Both teams scored a defensive touchdown and Dak Prescott was injured during the game.
Surprisingly, the Giants haven’t defeated the Cowboys since 2016.
Let’s take a look at this surprisingly crucial showdown for Week 17 and make some silly predictions.
1) The giants will reach Andy Dalton
PRAÇA
The Giants’ defense (No. 10 in the ranking) is stronger against the pass than against the race, so it’s safe to say that they will make Andy Dalton uncomfortable in the afternoon.
The New York City D regressed amid a losing streak, but they faced Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson – all competing for position in the playoffs.
Yes, Dallas has protected Dalton better in the past few weeks, allowing him to throw seven touchdowns and an interception during his winning streak. His trio of receivers, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper, were also good.
However, New York has coverage to match. With that said, expect Giants secondary security guards, Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan, along with cornerbacks James Bradberry and Isaac Yiadom, to give your hurried pass some opportunities to rock the red rocket.
2) The Giants will control the game on the ground
ClutchPoints
Dallas has one of the most generous running defenses in football. They allowed 2,416 race yards in 2020, the second longest in the team’s history (ESPN). Overall, the Cowboys yielded 161 yards per game, the worst in the league this season. They have improved in recent weeks, but not substantially.
They had one of their best performances against New York in Week 5 (89 yards), but that will not be repeated, especially without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.
The Giants have been fighting on the field since week 13, but that trend is likely to end on Sunday. Look for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to set up Wayne Gallman Jr. (along with Alfred Morris and Dion Lewis) to keep the game low while they control the clock.
Gallman leads New York with 617 yards and must see space against Dallas. In addition, the Giants were not meant to eliminate deficits and play from behind.
In addition, the Cowboys defense has done a much better job, forcing changes recently (10 in three games), and Giants QB Daniel Jones is still recovering from hamstring and ankle injuries.
Jones is the Giants’ second best rusher, but he has only run once in the past two games. Before that, he averaged 7.3 yards per race.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Jones admitted he was not 100 percent and made a point of suggesting he would not try to take the ball out of his pocket. Hmm … classic gamemanship, or an honest assessment of its limitations?
The Giants have been fired 12 times in the past two weeks, and the team’s O-Line faces a tough fight with the Dallas trio of DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith.
All things considered, Garrett will be extremely cautious with his QB and offensive line and will let the backfield do the heavy lifting. When he is not delivering the ball, he expects Jones to hit Evan Engram, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard in high percentage quick shots.
3) Logic will not be a factor
PRAÇA
There is no reason for the Cowboys to lose this game. They it is in better shape and with more talent.
The New York attack did not reach 20 points in each of the last five games and scored 26 points in total in the last three weeks. New York is ranked 31st overall and its 257 points are the lowest seconds in the NFL. Cowboys averaged 36 points per game during that period.
But…
This is a mandatory pseudo-playoff game for two division rivals who know each other well. Generally, the two teams are balanced, and it is difficult to imagine that this is not decided by a controversial decision, an inclined pass or a special team playing in the fourth period.
This has been a cursed season for Dallas since the training camp, and it peaks in East Rutherford.
On that note …
4) The giants will make history
PRAÇA
New York, Dallas and the Washington Football Team remain in contention for the division. Here is the breakdown (excluding some multi-tie scenarios) entering Week 17:
- Dallas closes with a win over New York and a loss or draw in Washington.
- New York closes with a win and a loss in Washington.
- Washington closes with a victory.
In other words: the winner of this game will reach the playoffs if Washington loses to Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football.
Both teams’ recent game will prove to be heavily scheduled, and McCarthy will make at least one major clock error. Your team’s hopes for the playoff will be dashed by … Jason Garrett.
Later, the Eagles will ruin Washington’s hopes in the postseason, and the Giants will become the first playoff team with six wins in NFL history, resulting in a Wild Card clash against – who else? – Tom Brady.
