Dallas' bruising offensive line steadily wore down Seattle's top-ranked run defense last week. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants (3-3) at Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman, Charissa Thompson
*Keys to the game: After digging themselves out of an 0-2 start to win three straight behind a rapidly-improving offense, the Giants’ train careened off the tracks in a 27-0 whitewashing in Philadelphia on Sunday night that saw WR Victor Cruz go down to a major knee injury. As important as it is for young WRs Reuben Randle, Odell Beckham, Jr. and Preston Parker to step up, it’s just as critical for the Giants to get back to the short, quick-strike passing game that was proving effective. The line does not protect well on deeper drop-backs, and QB Eli Manning has been effective working underneath to TEs Larry Donnell and Daniel Fells, who have a combined seven TDs.
Dallas’ bruising offensive line steadily wore down Seattle’s top-ranked run defense last week and will now take aim at a Giants unit allowing 4.4 yards per carry. RB DeMarco Murray has six consecutive 100-yard games to start the season, which is opening up QB Tony Romo to dissect teams off play-action. The Giants need a vastly improved effort from MLB Jon Beason in his second game back from injury and to capitalize on the one or two passes Romo will put up for grabs each game.
*Matchup to watch — Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka vs. Cowboys RT Jermey Parnell: Kiwanuka has struggled to beat man blocking much of the past two years, but he’s presented a prime opportunity to be a difference-maker with Doug Free out with a fractured foot. Parnell has made just two previous career starts and played 43 total snaps over the past two seasons.
*Player spotlight — Giants CB Jayron Hosley: Back from suspension, Hosley is expected to man the slot position with Walter Thurmond III and Trumaine McBride out for the season. Hosley has not played the slot much in college or the NFL and struggled during the preseason, but he chalked that up in part to his pending suspension weighing on his mind. In any event, expect Romo to target the 5-10, 178-pound Hosley.
*Fast facts: The Giants have won four of the past five meetings in Dallas. … Murray is on pace for 2,093 rushing yards, 12 short of Eric Dickerson’s single-season NFL record.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
While the Cowboys bandwagon is gaining members at light speed, the Giants have yet to beat a team with a winning record and are now without their top offensive playmaker. A Dallas letdown after beating up the reigning champs? Not against a bitter — and wounded — rival.
*Our pick: Cowboys 34-24
