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By Ken Moll
Scouts Inc.
Dallas at New York
When: 4:15 PM ET
Watch: FOX
More scouting reports: Week 13
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Cowboys-Giants matchup.
1. Dallas needs to pound the ball and control the clock: New York has been inconsistent defending the run (yielding 4.2 yards per attempt and 108 yards per game) and the Cowboys match up well in the trenches. Look for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to focus on utilizing his talented backs between the tackles and on the perimeter.
2. Create mismatches in the passing game: Look for Garrett to exploit an inconsistent secondary and banged-up linebacking corps in the passing game. The athletic Cowboys tight ends, Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett, will be tough assignments for the underneath coverage of the Giants, and WR Miles Austin could have a big day if QB Tony Romo has time to scan the field.
3. Make the ground game spill to the edges: It's likely the Giants will try to pound the ball and control the clock with RB Brandon Jacobs, so Dallas must make the running game spill to the perimeter. Look for more interior stunts and inside alignments by their defensive line to penetrate the line of scrimmage, taking away Jacobs' power and forcing him to bounce outside.
4. Pressure the Giants' quarterbacks: There is uncertainty at the quarterback for New York and we are likely to see an aggressive approach from defense-minded Cowboys coach Wade Phillips this week. Eli Manning can be inconsistent when under duress (especially with his foot injury), so he can expect to see a good mixture of zone and man pressure packages.
5. Matchup to watch: Cowboys WR Miles Austin versus Giants CB Terrell Thomas: Austin has been the Cowboys' most explosive target in the passing game and should be a tough matchup for second-year CB Thomas on the perimeter. Austin had a huge game in last week's victory and Romo will try to get him the ball early and often on intermediate and deep patterns.
6. The Giants must establish the line of scrimmage with the running game: With Manning banged up, the Giants need to get back to being a physical power offense with Jacobs. New York isn't built to get in a shootout and needs to control the clock with hard-nosed play in the trenches.
7. Utilize the high-percentage passing game: Short crossing routes as well a variety of screens and option patterns should be effective moving the chains against an aggressive Cowboys defense. Getting the ball out quickly might negate the pass rush and give a somewhat inconsistent Giants passing game more rhythm.
8. Slow down the Cowboys' three-headed running game: The Giants must man up in the trenches against an impressive Dallas running game. Look for New York defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan to crowd the line of scrimmage with eight men in the box and use zone run blitzes to force the ball to the air.
9. Giants must be disciplined in their rush lanes: New York must get pressure on Romo but keep him in the pocket. Romo is excellent at improvising and extending plays with his feet. Staying in their rush lanes and keeping Romo from finding a window to deliver the ball will be crucial to derailing the Cowboys' passing game.
10. Matchup to watch: Giants LT David Diehl versus Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware: Ware is a great combination of size, strength and athleticism coming off the edge and will be a tough matchup for Diehl. If New York can keep Ware at bay it should be able to move the chains. But if Ware causes havoc in the Giants' backfield, New York will have a long day.
Prediction
Dallas 24
New York 23
Scouts Inc.
Dallas at New York
When: 4:15 PM ET
Watch: FOX
More scouting reports: Week 13
Scouts Inc. Position AdvantageQB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Cowboys-Giants matchup.
1. Dallas needs to pound the ball and control the clock: New York has been inconsistent defending the run (yielding 4.2 yards per attempt and 108 yards per game) and the Cowboys match up well in the trenches. Look for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to focus on utilizing his talented backs between the tackles and on the perimeter.
2. Create mismatches in the passing game: Look for Garrett to exploit an inconsistent secondary and banged-up linebacking corps in the passing game. The athletic Cowboys tight ends, Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett, will be tough assignments for the underneath coverage of the Giants, and WR Miles Austin could have a big day if QB Tony Romo has time to scan the field.
3. Make the ground game spill to the edges: It's likely the Giants will try to pound the ball and control the clock with RB Brandon Jacobs, so Dallas must make the running game spill to the perimeter. Look for more interior stunts and inside alignments by their defensive line to penetrate the line of scrimmage, taking away Jacobs' power and forcing him to bounce outside.
4. Pressure the Giants' quarterbacks: There is uncertainty at the quarterback for New York and we are likely to see an aggressive approach from defense-minded Cowboys coach Wade Phillips this week. Eli Manning can be inconsistent when under duress (especially with his foot injury), so he can expect to see a good mixture of zone and man pressure packages.
5. Matchup to watch: Cowboys WR Miles Austin versus Giants CB Terrell Thomas: Austin has been the Cowboys' most explosive target in the passing game and should be a tough matchup for second-year CB Thomas on the perimeter. Austin had a huge game in last week's victory and Romo will try to get him the ball early and often on intermediate and deep patterns.
6. The Giants must establish the line of scrimmage with the running game: With Manning banged up, the Giants need to get back to being a physical power offense with Jacobs. New York isn't built to get in a shootout and needs to control the clock with hard-nosed play in the trenches.
7. Utilize the high-percentage passing game: Short crossing routes as well a variety of screens and option patterns should be effective moving the chains against an aggressive Cowboys defense. Getting the ball out quickly might negate the pass rush and give a somewhat inconsistent Giants passing game more rhythm.
8. Slow down the Cowboys' three-headed running game: The Giants must man up in the trenches against an impressive Dallas running game. Look for New York defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan to crowd the line of scrimmage with eight men in the box and use zone run blitzes to force the ball to the air.
9. Giants must be disciplined in their rush lanes: New York must get pressure on Romo but keep him in the pocket. Romo is excellent at improvising and extending plays with his feet. Staying in their rush lanes and keeping Romo from finding a window to deliver the ball will be crucial to derailing the Cowboys' passing game.
10. Matchup to watch: Giants LT David Diehl versus Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware: Ware is a great combination of size, strength and athleticism coming off the edge and will be a tough matchup for Diehl. If New York can keep Ware at bay it should be able to move the chains. But if Ware causes havoc in the Giants' backfield, New York will have a long day.
Prediction
Dallas 24
New York 23
