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Coming off tough playoff loss, Cowboys host Giants

Sep 9, 2007 - 10:25 AM NY Giants (8-8) at Dallas (9-7) Sunday 8:15 EDT

IRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- The big question in Dallas during the offseason was, "How would Tony Romo respond to his playoff gaffe?"

Romo will begin to answer that question Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys host the New York Giants in an NFC East battle.

The Cowboys were in position to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round with a late field goal but Romo, the holder, let the snap slip through his fingers and the Cowboys were eliminated, 21-20.

Romo insists he has put the play behind him but how he plays this season likely will determine if the Cowboys can challenge for the NFC East title.

"I'm over it and I think our team is over it," Romo said. "You can't keep dwelling on it. You have to learn from it and move on and I think we've done that."

Romo is facing the team against whom he got his big break last season. Romo replaced the now-retired Drew Bledsoe at the start of the second half of the Cowboys' 36-22 loss to the Giants on October 23.

Romo threw three interceptions, but the move sparked the Cowboys, who won five of their next six games en route to a 9-7 finish and a berth in the playoffs. One of those wins was a 23-20 victory over the Giants on December 3.

Wade Phillips takes over in Dallas for former coach Bill Parcells, who retired following the loss to the Seahawks. The Cowboys are the third team for Phillips, who posted a 45-35 record in Denver and Buffalo and never has won a playoff game (0-3).

The Cowboys hope temperamental receiver Terrell Owens will be on his best behavior. For all his distractions, Owens led the NFL in receiving touchdowns (13) last season. Running backs Marion Barber and Julius Jones form a solid one-two punch, with Barber leading the NFC in touchdowns (16) last year.

The Giants begin a season of uncertainty, facing a huge void as they will be without all-time leading rusher Tiki Barber, who retired to pursue a broadcasting career.

The Giants will replace Barber with bruising running back Brandon Jacobs, who previously was used only in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

The Giants also need more consistent play from quarterback Eli Manning, whose leadership recently was questioned by Barber.

Defensive end Michael Strahan ended his holdout nine days before the start of the season and could see limited action against the Cowboys.