The Giants defense stuffed the run, their offense made a couple of big plays, and their special teams made one spectacular punt return in the win over Dallas. Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Broncos on Thanksgiving, the Giants made a huge statement against their division rivals. Despite an impressive game by Cowboy’s quarterback Tony Romo (41-55, 392 yds and 3 TDs) and a late push to get within seven, the Giants were able to hold on in the Meadowlands.

Eli Manning connected with running back Brandon Jacobs in the third quarter for a 74-yard touchdown that put the Giants up 21-17 and they never looked back. The win was capped by a Domenik Hixon 79-yard punt return for a touchdown with a little over five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

In all likelihood, the NFC East will come down to the final week when the Cowboys host the Eagles and the Giants play the Vikings.

Both teams have had similar seasons thus far starting the season on long win streaks and struggling since. The Broncos started out 6-0 before losing four straight games before this one. The Giants started out 5-0 and have since lost five of six including the loss on Thanksgiving.

“We’re a good football team,” Osi Umenyiora told the Associated Press. “We just played bad today. …From here on out, every game is a must-win.”

The Giants can’t afford to play “bad” anymore. Not with the Cowboys and Eagles in the division. The NFC East is the most competitive division in the NFL with the AFC North a close second. The Giants’ next two games are pivotal as they host the Cowboys and Eagles in back-to-back weeks. They can either remain in the division race or fall far behind.

At 6-5, the Giants are going to need to win at least three more games to have a shot at a playoff birth. Four wins would put them at 10-6, which may lock them into a wild card. Four wins won’t be easy. After the Cowboys and Eagles, the Giants have to play the Redskins, Panthers and Vikings. None of those opponents are going to lay down for the Giants.

On to the game itself. Two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL will be on display in the Superdome. Eli Manning and Drew Brees look to lead their respective teams to 6-0. 

Eli Manning, who is originally from New Orleans, said, “I am excited about it. First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity to play where my father spent most of his career, going to back to New Orleans and playing New Orleans, who is playing very well this year. Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere.”

As for X’s and O’s, the Giants defense should be able to shut down Brees, who started the season hot but has cooled down since. The Saints are having a very strong season running the ball unlike last season. They are averaging 166.2 yards per game on the ground, good for second in the NFL. Their offense can be tantalizing at times but the Giants defense is up for the challenge. The Jets defense did a real nice job handling the Saints and the Giants defense is more solid than the Jets defense. Offensively, Brandon Jacobs needs to find his game. Ahmad Bradshaw had looked more like the Giants number one back, but Jacobs still poses a threat. Defenses load the box when Jacobs is on the field, making it hard for him to get going. 

This could turn out to be a very entertaining game. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. at the Superdome.

Players on both sides have acknowledged that their is true hate between these two rivals. Guys like Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton and Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware have all used the word “hate” this week when talking about their counterpart. It is common knowledge by all players on both sides that there is mutual hate between the Giants and Cowboys. We’ll see on Sunday how much these teams really hate eachother.

Phillips said, “We know they want to run the ball and we know the plays they run. I think we’ll be able to recognize their plays a little quicker than Tampa’s. That will help a little bit.”

Brandon Jacobs has pure hatred toward the Cowboys and that will drive him on Sunday night. It’s not like the Cowboys don’t hate the Giants back though. The Giants are always looking to be the most physical team on the field every week and if the Cowboys can’t match the Giants’ physicality, it’s going to be a long night for the Cowboys’ defense and a big night for the Giants running backs.

It was a game we’ve come to expect from the Giants. They had great play out of the irdefense, Eli did enough to propel the offense, but what wasn’t normal was that they didn’t excel in the running game. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 106 yards on 28 carries. 

Manning hit Mario Manningham for a 30 yard touchdown down the right sideline in the second quarter that highlighted the Giants day on offense. Steve Smith caught six passes for 80 yards and Kevin Boss caught three for 62 yards. Eli spread the ball out, completing passes to seven different players.

The Giants go on the road for the next three weeks playing at Dallas, at Tampa Bay and at Kansas City. All are winnable games. With Osi back at full strength, the Giants defense is poised for a big season.