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Giants, Cowboys set for marquee clash

Dec 9, 2008 - 8:43 PM NY Giants (11-2) at Dallas (8-5), 8:15 pm EST

IRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- Rarely is a matchup between two teams coming off losses so highly anticipated.

That will be the case, however, when the New York Giants visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night in a clash of bitter NFC East rivals.

The Cowboys beat New York twice during the regular season a year ago, but the Giants turned the tables in the postseason, winning in Dallas en route to capturing the Super Bowl.

New York has carried the momentum into this season, winning 11 of its first 12 games until last weekend's 20-14 loss to division rival Philadelphia.

Despite the loss, the Giants clinched the NFC East title when Dallas coughed up a 10-point lead and fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-13.

"We are very proud of that. It's a hard-earned position to get to, the 11 wins represent our season up to this point," New York coach Tom Coughlin said. "We are very proud of this accomplishment. And our players should hold their heads high and feel good about that."

The Giants had to deal with distractions throughout the week following wide receiver Plaxico Burress' accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound that has ended his season. In addition, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is under investigation for his role in the incident.

The players insisted the turbulence has no effect on the team, which matched a season low in points.

"The events of the week had nothing to do with it," running back Brandon Jacobs said. "If Plaxico had played, it would have been the same result."

Eli Manning struggled in the swirling winds, throwing for a season-worst 123 yards on 13-of-27 passing.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo also struggled with both the conditions and the Steelers' vaunted defense. He finished 19-of-36 for 210 yards with three interception and a lost fumble for the Cowboys, who were playing without injured running back Marion Barber.

Romo's final pick was returned by 25 yards by Deshea Townsend for the game-winning touchdown with 1:40 left to play.

"I think that for the most part of the game we had the game, but you have to finish the game and we didn't do that," Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens.

Dallas, which is tied with Atlanta for the NFC's final wild card spot, has a brutal final three games and its playoff hopes could take a major hit with a loss.

The Giants bludgeoned the Cowboys, 35-14, in Week Nine, but that was with Romo sitting out his third straight game with a broken finger on his throwing hand.