A look ahead to New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
There's one story line I haven't touched on so far this week - the Giants' recent history of blowing games against backup quarterbacks like Craig Krenzel (Bears, 2004), Doug Johnson (Falcons, 2002), Kurt Kittner (Falcons, 2003), Tim Hasselbeck (Redskins, 2003), Todd Collins (Redskins, 2007) and Brad Johnson (Vikings, 2005). It's pertinent because they're facing another backup this weekend in, well, Brad Johnson once again.
But there's a difference in this one because of the drop-off between the injured starter and the backup. Yes, I know Doug Johnson and Kurt Kittner were filling in for Michael Vick, who was a game-breaking running threat, but I'm talking about what the Cowboys will be missing from a passing standpoint without Tony Romo. They've been forced to change their offense completely and the deep ball appears to have been taken away. Brad Johnson will try to hit the short passes and get rid of the ball quickly, but the Giants should be prepared for that.
So while the trend of losses to backups could continue, say, if the Cowboys score on defense and special teams like the Vikings did in 2005, I don't think it'll be because of a big game or a gutsy performance from the backup. If the Giants can score only, this one could be over fast.
SUNDAY'S GAME: vs. Cowboys, 4:15 p.m., FOX
PLAYERS TO WATCH: On offense, Cowboys DE DeMarcus Ware will be looking to regain the NFL sack lead from the Dolphins' Joey Porter, who vaulted ahead of Ware (10 1/2 to 9) with two sacks on Sunday. On a radio show with former Cowboys QB Babe Laufenberg earlier this week, Ware said it's "my turn"
to grab the top spot again. Ware had two sacks against the Giants last season and disrupted Manning several times in the Dallas victory at Giants Stadium in November. I talked to a few players this week and they said they'll be paying close attention to Ware, as always. But a big key, they said, was to make sure he didn't get a lot of room for an inside rush. Ware's quick around the edge, but when he plants and takes it inside, he can get through really quickly. So LT David Diehl and the Giants' RBs probably won't commit too much to an outside speed rush. Keep an eye on those guys and their matchup with Ware.
On the other side of the ball, we all know about the Giants' run D against RB Marion Barber and CB Corey Webster vs. T.O., so I wanted to use this opportunity to point out a more obscure one. In talking to a few defensive players this week, I kept hearing about how Cowboys RT Marc Colombo gets in a few extra shots, or
"extracurricular activities,"
as they called it. With the way flags have been flying lately, keep an eye on Colombo and any Giants defenders that are near him. I don't think DE Justin Tuck is hot-headed enough to get roped into any dumb penalties. But I do know Tuck and a few other defensive players often use an opponent taking a late or cheap shot to get themselves fired up. Also, you wonder what kind of tips Michael Strahan has given Tuck on how to handle Colombo after having success against him in recent years.
THE LINE: Giants by 9.
