CowboyPrincess
12-28-2004, 09:46 AM
Why To Watch
After Week 4, both the Cowboys and the Giants were sitting at 3-1 and both were looking like legitimate playoff contenders. Many thought this Week 17 matchup would have much hanging in the balance, but now all that is on the line is bragging rights. Both teams have taken a nosedive and each is just looking to end its season on a positive note.
The New York media has revealed that many Giants players are speaking out against coach Tom Coughlin. The players have not revealed their names, but they are saying Coughlin that "has lost his team" and that the organization should hurry up and fire him after just one season.
Coughlin, never considered to be a players' coach, will probably have plenty to say to his team about those comments. It will be interesting to see what type of product the Giants put on the field in the regular season's Sunday night finale. . . .
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells has loyally stuck with veteran Vinny Testaverde all year long, despite getting heat from fans and media to play highly touted Drew Henson or even young backup Tony Romo. With only one game left in the season, one must wonder if Parcells will give in and allow Henson to get some more experience for next season. . . .
Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi will definitely be criticized come next April at the NFL draft. With another losing season in the books, the Giants would have had another high draft pick, but they gave it to San Diego in exchange for Eli Manning. So while the team has gone through another disappointing season, it won't even have the hope of a first-round pick to soften the blow.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Give Testaverde time to throw. When Dallas' offensive line is playing well, Testaverde consistently threads the needle and makes big plays. When the pocket collapses and he must throw off his back foot, he will throw multiple interceptions. The Cowboys must protect their quarterback -- whether it's the aging Testaverde or the inexperienced Henson or Romo -- and allow him time to deliver the ball to an open man downfield.
2. Mix up the defense to confuse Manning. The Cowboys will move around and do everything they can to make Manning uncomfortable in prime time. They will show blitzes, disguise coverage and change their personnel packages in an attempt to rattle and confuse the Giants' rookie quarterback.
3. Play single coverage on the corners. Running back Tiki Barber is the Giants' primary offensive threat (as a rusher and a receiver) and Dallas will key on him. If both Cowboys cornerbacks play man-to-man coverage with one safety over the top, Dallas will be able to bring an eighth defender down into the box with an eye on stuffing Barber and New York's running game.
Giants Keys For Success
1. Stay in position to win on a late drive. Since Manning became the starter, the Giants have had opportunities to win games four times on the final drive and have failed to capitalize even once. With this game likely to come down to the wire, the Giants must prove they can finish a game strong.
2. Pound Barber between the tackles. Though the Giants have neither a dominant nor aggressive offensive line, they outweigh the Cowboys' front four and feature a Pro Bowl back in Barber. They must run the ball inside all game in an attempt to wear down Dallas' front seven by the fourth quarter.
3. Close the pocket on Testaverde. Testaverde has made big plays for Dallas when he hasn't needed to move around in the pocket. When he needs to move his feet and hurry his throws, he is a turnover machine. The Giants need to close the pocket on him with their defensive ends and make him throw well before he is ready.
Injuries at a glance
Cowboys injuries
Updated Player Pos. Injury Status
12/27/04 Jason Witten TE Nose Status for Week 17 unclear - Witten needed stitches on the bridge of his nose Sunday and will have X-rays to determine if it's broken.
12/24/04 Al Singleton LB Groin/abdomen Done for the season - The Cowboys put Singleton, their starting strong side linebacker, on injured reserve Thursday because of an injury in his midsection that's kept him out the past 1 1/2 games. Coach Bill Parcells described the problem as being in Singleton's groin and abdomen. Regardless of whether time or surgery is needed, there's not enough time left this season for him to get back onto the field.
Giants injuries
Updated Player Pos. Injury Status
12/21/04 Barrett Green LB Knee Out for season - The Giants placed Green (knee) on injured reserve Monday.
12/21/04 Regan Upshaw DE Hand Out for season - The Giants placed Upshaw (hand) on injured reserve Monday.
The Bottom Line
Twice in the past month the Cowboys have had the ball on a game's final possession with a chance to win and came through with victories both times. The Giants have had four similar opportunities in the past two months and have yet to come through.
This will be another close game, but the Cowboys will come away as the winners because with Parcells, they will be the better team in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Cowboys 17, Giants 13
KEY MATCH-UPS
Cowboys MLB Dat Nguyen vs. Giants RB Tiki Barber
Barber has been the heartbeat of the Giants' offense and their only consistent performer all season. He had another 100-yard performance last week in a loss to Cincinnati and is headed to the Pro Bowl. He will be the focal point this week against a Dallas defense that is pretty light up front. They will look to pound the ball inside and get Barber at least 20 carries.
Nguyen has had a decent year manning the middle. He, like his defensive line, is a little light for his position, but makes up for it with great lateral speed. When his tackles excel at keeping blockers off him, he makes big plays as a sure tackler with great instincts.
Nguyen will have trouble late in the game, however, because the Giants' offensive line will start getting to the second level and will lay blocks on him. He isn't great at shedding blocks, so he will have trouble disengaging and getting to the ball carrier. As a result, expect Barber to have a big fourth quarter. Advantage: Barber.
Nguyen Scouting Report
Strengths:
Has good speed and is best when on the move. Has good reaction skills and excellent first-step quickness. Anticipates plays and has good lateral quickness. Is tough to block because of movement.
Weaknesses:
Plays out of control and gets himself in positions where he must fight to get back into plays. Has problems at the point of attack because of poor size. Struggles to shed blocks.
Bottom line:
Nguyen stays on the field in all situations and delivers tremendous production for an undersized player. He can be excellent if left free to slip blocks, fly to the ball and make plays in space.
Barber Scouting Report
Strengths:
Has excellent vision, poise and balance. Sees things quickly and consistently hits cutback lanes. Plants and drives quickly. Has good burst, good agility as an interior runner and is tough and aggressive. Has good quickness and hands as a receiver, is good at adjusting routes and gets excellent separation.
Weaknesses:
Is undersized and has durability problems. Is fumble prone and isn’t physical.
Bottom line:
Barber is an adequate starter, but he won’t last much longer at his current workload.
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Cowboys RB Julius Jones vs. Giants linebackers
Though the postseason isn't in the Cowboys’ immediate future, the near future looks bright for Jones. The rookie second-round draft pick has filled the void that Dallas has been looking for since the team let Emmitt Smith go.
Jones has had a great final month of the season and has given the Cowboys a more versatile offense. Even quarterback Vinny Testaverde has been playing better now that defenses must honor the running game.
Jones also has been a threat on screen passes, making linebackers miss in open field and using his breakaway speed. He provides a tough matchup for the Giants' linebackers. Although they all run well, none of them can stop Jones when he has room to run after a reception. They have a better chance against the traditional ground game, but even then they are at a disadvantage.
Because of the injury woes in the Giants' front four, their linebackers haven't enjoyed the same running room that they had gotten used to earlier in the season. They will not be able to get off blocks and make plays because Jones gets through holes so fast. Advantage: Jones.
Jones Scouting Report
Is a shifty, quick, elusive runner with terrific hands; is a huge threat in space. Has good top-end speed and a second gear in the open field. Lacks size.
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Cowboys FS Roy Williams vs. Giants QB Eli Manning
There is no question that Manning has struggled mightily in his first season in the NFL. He is still searching for his first victory and is battling harsh criticism from the media along the way. He has all the physical talents but has yet to put them together and play a complete game.
Bill Parcells knows that Manning is lacking confidence in his decision-making and will try to take advantage of that by confusing the young QB. The main way Parcells and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will accomplish that is by using Williams in many different ways.
Williams will align in several different looks in an attempt to confuse Manning. On some plays he will creep up to the line showing blitz, making Manning throw to his hot read, and then he will drop back into coverage to pick off the pass. On other plays, Williams will line up on a slot receiver and then on the snap, blitz hard off the corner and have an end or a linebacker replace him in coverage. Williams will mess up the rookie’s reads and force Manning into making foolish mistakes. Advantage: Williams.
Williams Scouting Report
Strengths:
Is big, athletic and physical. Loves to play in a box. Loves to attack vs. the run. Is a good, punishing tackler. Is best when he can play near the line of scrimmage and disrupt offenses with attacking angles. Can cover tight ends and backs in man-coverage situations. Takes pretty good angles to the ball. Gets good jumps on the ball.
Weaknesses:
Lacks elite speed. If gets out of position, will struggle to turn, run and catch up on deep routes.
Bottom line:
Williams has great tools. If he can become a little smoother as a man-to-man cover guy, he could become the most complete safety in the NFL.
Manning Scouting Report
Strengths:
Has a good, strong arm. His timing, anticipation and touch make up for a lack of elite velocity. Has a high, quick release that’s mechanically sound. Has the frame to become bigger and stronger.
Weaknesses:
Lacks acceleration and elusiveness as a runner.
Bottom line:
Manning continues to get better, and his instincts, preparation and intangibles make up for his flaws. He’ll face great pressure trying to take playing time from Kerry Collins under the New York microscope
After Week 4, both the Cowboys and the Giants were sitting at 3-1 and both were looking like legitimate playoff contenders. Many thought this Week 17 matchup would have much hanging in the balance, but now all that is on the line is bragging rights. Both teams have taken a nosedive and each is just looking to end its season on a positive note.
The New York media has revealed that many Giants players are speaking out against coach Tom Coughlin. The players have not revealed their names, but they are saying Coughlin that "has lost his team" and that the organization should hurry up and fire him after just one season.
Coughlin, never considered to be a players' coach, will probably have plenty to say to his team about those comments. It will be interesting to see what type of product the Giants put on the field in the regular season's Sunday night finale. . . .
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells has loyally stuck with veteran Vinny Testaverde all year long, despite getting heat from fans and media to play highly touted Drew Henson or even young backup Tony Romo. With only one game left in the season, one must wonder if Parcells will give in and allow Henson to get some more experience for next season. . . .
Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi will definitely be criticized come next April at the NFL draft. With another losing season in the books, the Giants would have had another high draft pick, but they gave it to San Diego in exchange for Eli Manning. So while the team has gone through another disappointing season, it won't even have the hope of a first-round pick to soften the blow.
Cowboys Keys For Success
1. Give Testaverde time to throw. When Dallas' offensive line is playing well, Testaverde consistently threads the needle and makes big plays. When the pocket collapses and he must throw off his back foot, he will throw multiple interceptions. The Cowboys must protect their quarterback -- whether it's the aging Testaverde or the inexperienced Henson or Romo -- and allow him time to deliver the ball to an open man downfield.
2. Mix up the defense to confuse Manning. The Cowboys will move around and do everything they can to make Manning uncomfortable in prime time. They will show blitzes, disguise coverage and change their personnel packages in an attempt to rattle and confuse the Giants' rookie quarterback.
3. Play single coverage on the corners. Running back Tiki Barber is the Giants' primary offensive threat (as a rusher and a receiver) and Dallas will key on him. If both Cowboys cornerbacks play man-to-man coverage with one safety over the top, Dallas will be able to bring an eighth defender down into the box with an eye on stuffing Barber and New York's running game.
Giants Keys For Success
1. Stay in position to win on a late drive. Since Manning became the starter, the Giants have had opportunities to win games four times on the final drive and have failed to capitalize even once. With this game likely to come down to the wire, the Giants must prove they can finish a game strong.
2. Pound Barber between the tackles. Though the Giants have neither a dominant nor aggressive offensive line, they outweigh the Cowboys' front four and feature a Pro Bowl back in Barber. They must run the ball inside all game in an attempt to wear down Dallas' front seven by the fourth quarter.
3. Close the pocket on Testaverde. Testaverde has made big plays for Dallas when he hasn't needed to move around in the pocket. When he needs to move his feet and hurry his throws, he is a turnover machine. The Giants need to close the pocket on him with their defensive ends and make him throw well before he is ready.
Injuries at a glance
Cowboys injuries
Updated Player Pos. Injury Status
12/27/04 Jason Witten TE Nose Status for Week 17 unclear - Witten needed stitches on the bridge of his nose Sunday and will have X-rays to determine if it's broken.
12/24/04 Al Singleton LB Groin/abdomen Done for the season - The Cowboys put Singleton, their starting strong side linebacker, on injured reserve Thursday because of an injury in his midsection that's kept him out the past 1 1/2 games. Coach Bill Parcells described the problem as being in Singleton's groin and abdomen. Regardless of whether time or surgery is needed, there's not enough time left this season for him to get back onto the field.
Giants injuries
Updated Player Pos. Injury Status
12/21/04 Barrett Green LB Knee Out for season - The Giants placed Green (knee) on injured reserve Monday.
12/21/04 Regan Upshaw DE Hand Out for season - The Giants placed Upshaw (hand) on injured reserve Monday.
The Bottom Line
Twice in the past month the Cowboys have had the ball on a game's final possession with a chance to win and came through with victories both times. The Giants have had four similar opportunities in the past two months and have yet to come through.
This will be another close game, but the Cowboys will come away as the winners because with Parcells, they will be the better team in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Cowboys 17, Giants 13
KEY MATCH-UPS
Cowboys MLB Dat Nguyen vs. Giants RB Tiki Barber
Barber has been the heartbeat of the Giants' offense and their only consistent performer all season. He had another 100-yard performance last week in a loss to Cincinnati and is headed to the Pro Bowl. He will be the focal point this week against a Dallas defense that is pretty light up front. They will look to pound the ball inside and get Barber at least 20 carries.
Nguyen has had a decent year manning the middle. He, like his defensive line, is a little light for his position, but makes up for it with great lateral speed. When his tackles excel at keeping blockers off him, he makes big plays as a sure tackler with great instincts.
Nguyen will have trouble late in the game, however, because the Giants' offensive line will start getting to the second level and will lay blocks on him. He isn't great at shedding blocks, so he will have trouble disengaging and getting to the ball carrier. As a result, expect Barber to have a big fourth quarter. Advantage: Barber.
Nguyen Scouting Report
Strengths:
Has good speed and is best when on the move. Has good reaction skills and excellent first-step quickness. Anticipates plays and has good lateral quickness. Is tough to block because of movement.
Weaknesses:
Plays out of control and gets himself in positions where he must fight to get back into plays. Has problems at the point of attack because of poor size. Struggles to shed blocks.
Bottom line:
Nguyen stays on the field in all situations and delivers tremendous production for an undersized player. He can be excellent if left free to slip blocks, fly to the ball and make plays in space.
Barber Scouting Report
Strengths:
Has excellent vision, poise and balance. Sees things quickly and consistently hits cutback lanes. Plants and drives quickly. Has good burst, good agility as an interior runner and is tough and aggressive. Has good quickness and hands as a receiver, is good at adjusting routes and gets excellent separation.
Weaknesses:
Is undersized and has durability problems. Is fumble prone and isn’t physical.
Bottom line:
Barber is an adequate starter, but he won’t last much longer at his current workload.
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Cowboys RB Julius Jones vs. Giants linebackers
Though the postseason isn't in the Cowboys’ immediate future, the near future looks bright for Jones. The rookie second-round draft pick has filled the void that Dallas has been looking for since the team let Emmitt Smith go.
Jones has had a great final month of the season and has given the Cowboys a more versatile offense. Even quarterback Vinny Testaverde has been playing better now that defenses must honor the running game.
Jones also has been a threat on screen passes, making linebackers miss in open field and using his breakaway speed. He provides a tough matchup for the Giants' linebackers. Although they all run well, none of them can stop Jones when he has room to run after a reception. They have a better chance against the traditional ground game, but even then they are at a disadvantage.
Because of the injury woes in the Giants' front four, their linebackers haven't enjoyed the same running room that they had gotten used to earlier in the season. They will not be able to get off blocks and make plays because Jones gets through holes so fast. Advantage: Jones.
Jones Scouting Report
Is a shifty, quick, elusive runner with terrific hands; is a huge threat in space. Has good top-end speed and a second gear in the open field. Lacks size.
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Cowboys FS Roy Williams vs. Giants QB Eli Manning
There is no question that Manning has struggled mightily in his first season in the NFL. He is still searching for his first victory and is battling harsh criticism from the media along the way. He has all the physical talents but has yet to put them together and play a complete game.
Bill Parcells knows that Manning is lacking confidence in his decision-making and will try to take advantage of that by confusing the young QB. The main way Parcells and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will accomplish that is by using Williams in many different ways.
Williams will align in several different looks in an attempt to confuse Manning. On some plays he will creep up to the line showing blitz, making Manning throw to his hot read, and then he will drop back into coverage to pick off the pass. On other plays, Williams will line up on a slot receiver and then on the snap, blitz hard off the corner and have an end or a linebacker replace him in coverage. Williams will mess up the rookie’s reads and force Manning into making foolish mistakes. Advantage: Williams.
Williams Scouting Report
Strengths:
Is big, athletic and physical. Loves to play in a box. Loves to attack vs. the run. Is a good, punishing tackler. Is best when he can play near the line of scrimmage and disrupt offenses with attacking angles. Can cover tight ends and backs in man-coverage situations. Takes pretty good angles to the ball. Gets good jumps on the ball.
Weaknesses:
Lacks elite speed. If gets out of position, will struggle to turn, run and catch up on deep routes.
Bottom line:
Williams has great tools. If he can become a little smoother as a man-to-man cover guy, he could become the most complete safety in the NFL.
Manning Scouting Report
Strengths:
Has a good, strong arm. His timing, anticipation and touch make up for a lack of elite velocity. Has a high, quick release that’s mechanically sound. Has the frame to become bigger and stronger.
Weaknesses:
Lacks acceleration and elusiveness as a runner.
Bottom line:
Manning continues to get better, and his instincts, preparation and intangibles make up for his flaws. He’ll face great pressure trying to take playing time from Kerry Collins under the New York microscope