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Giants host Cowboys in NFC East showdown

Nov 11, 2007 - 11:53 AM Dallas (7-1) at NY Giants (6-2) Sunday 4:15 EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- During their six-game winning streak, the New York Giants have allowed 79 points - one less than they surrendered in their first two games.

This week will show if the Giants' improved defense is for real as they host the high-powered Dallas Cowboys in an NFC East showdown.

The Giants (6-2) enter the contest one game behind the first-place Cowboys and need a victory to have any realistic hopes of winning the division.

A Dallas win would give the Cowboys a two-game cushion with a tiebreaker edge due to a series sweep. They opened the season with a 45-35 victory over the Giants in Dallas.

The Giants have had an extra week to prepare for the Cowboys. They were off last week after beating the Miami Dolphins, 13-10, in London on October 28.

Dallas (7-1) enters the contest tied with the Green Bay Packers for the best record in the NFC.

"I think we look at it as a chance to be 7-2 and be at the top of the division," Giants guard Chris Snee said. "That has to be the first priority. Everyone has been chasing them since they beat us in the first week."

The Cowboys' only blemish was a 48-27 loss to the undefeated New England Patriots on October 14. They roll into Giants Stadium after routing the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-17, on Sunday night.

Dallas boasts the league's second-best offense behind the Patriots, averaging 406 yards. Tony Romo has passed for 2,308 yards and 19 touchdowns - both the third-best marks in the league.

With the Cowboys winning, temperamental receiver Terrell Owens has been on his best behavior, ranking fifth in receiving yards (730).

In the season opener, Romo torched the Giants by throwing for a career-high 345 yards and four touchdowns.

"I think there is no doubt that we are playing better defensively," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "For the first couple of weeks of the season we really weren't playing all that well defensively. We have gotten better. But certainly, we will be tested by a very strong offensive team."

Romo was especially sharp against the Eagles, completing his first nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He finished 20-of-25 for 324 yards and three touchdowns.

Dallas has displayed a toughness it may have been lacking in recent seasons, winning all four road games this season by an average margin of 15.8 points.

Dallas will have an addition on defense against New York. Nose tackle Tank Johnson was reinstated this week after completing his league-imposed eight-game suspension.

Still, the Giants aren't the same team that lost in Dallas in Week One and to Green Bay, 35-13, the following week.

New York has stabilized its ground game behind Brandon Jacobs, ranking sixth in rushing at 137.8 per game.

Perhaps the biggest reason for their turnaround, however, has been a pass rush that has produced a league-high 30 sacks. Ends Osi Umenyiora (eight) and Jason Tuck (seven) lead the sack brigade.