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Dottino: What To Watch For In Giants-Cowboys, Plus A Prediction ...

By Paul Dottino
» More Columns

Are you still looking for a silver lining from the game the Giants threw away on opening night in Dallas? Or maybe from the horror show that they put on the field in Philadelphia last week?

Search no more.

The players haven't forgotten either of those games and appear to have a chip on their shoulders heading into Sunday's home game against the Cowboys, a rematch the Giants simply have to win if they are going to put themselves in decent position to be a playoff contender.

A loss would leave them at 3-4, with three losses within the division. Since 2007, only two NFC East teams have suffered more than two divisional losses in a season and still made it to the playoffs -- the 2007 and 2011 Giants, who had three in each but still won the Super Bowl. They were swept by Dallas in 2007 and then Washington in 2011, but do you think they want to fight those odds again?

Here is a look at three key matchups this week:

1. Cowboys' front four vs. Giants' offensive line: Everybody knows how the Cowboys were able to add key reinforcements two weeks ago against New England before going into their bye week -- and they made quite an impact. Defensive end Greg Hardy (two sacks, five quarterback hits) and middle linebacker Rolando McClain (eight tackles, one sack) came back from suspensions with gusto. Pass-rushing end Randy Gregory (ankle) is making his return this weekend. All three will be fresh and chomping at the bit to inflict as much damage on the Giants as possible. The Cowboys will stunt and scheme to try to free up these playmakers, which means the Giants must hold the fort on what will become many one-on-one battles. Left tackle Ereck Flowers and right tackle Marshall Newhouse need to be at the top of their game and will require some pass protecting help from fullback Nikita Whitlock and tight end Larry Donnell.

2. Cowboys QB Matt Cassel vs. himself. We're not trying to be funny here: Cassel was unable to win a job with the Buffalo Bills, who traded him to Dallas in a deal involving third-day draft choices on Sept. 22. Sure, he was a Pro Bowl passer with Kansas City in 2010, but did you know he's got a 9-17 record over the past five NFL seasons? You should only count his time with Kansas City and Minnesota over that time span because his opening day start with Buffalo lasted only one snap. In short, the Giants want Cassel to take this game on his shoulders. He has been a very good play-action quarterback at his best, but that would require the Cowboys to establish a running game, which brings us to the next matchup ...

3. Cowboys RBs Christine Michael and Joseph Randle vs. Giants' front seven: The Giants have been gashed for more than 270 rushing yards over the past two weeks, which is mind-numbing when you consider they only were allowing about 70 yards a game after four weeks. Call it more than a coincidence that outside linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) was out, middle linebacker Jon Beason (concussion) missed most of the San Fransisco game, and cornerback Prince Amukamara (pectoral) was out against Philadelphia. It's good news for the Giants that Kennard is expected back, as is end Robert Ayers (hamstring), who has missed a month, although Beason is now fighting a knee injury. The Cowboys, unsatisfied with Randle's sporadic production, are expected to turn to former Seahawks reserve power back Michael to take part of the load. He's a downhill force who will attempt to take the pressure off of Cassel.

PREDICTION: Giants 20, Cowboys 13

Be sure to follow Paul on Twitter at @giantsWFAN

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