Showdown Against Dallas

What can be better? A huge November home game against a hated divisional rival. Having dispatched the Dolphins in the mud-bowl in London, the Giants - fairly healthy coming out of their bye week - commence the more difficult second half of their schedule. And it starts off with a real bang.

While they will face other tough games down the stretch, none will be bigger than Sunday's game against Dallas. Dallas leads the Division and has already beaten the Giants once. Lose to Dallas for the second time on Sunday and the Giants will in essence be three games behind and, for all practical purposes, out of the running for a divisional title. On the other hand, a win ties them for the division lead and sets up a season long battle for the divisional crown. At stake is a chance of a first round bye and home field advantage in the playoffs. The difference between a win and a loss is simply huge. For both teams.

This is the type of game that defines championship teams. Seattle went on to the Super Bowl after holding on for their lives against the Giants two years ago. Last year Chicago went to the Super Bowl after downing the Giants in a nail biter at the mid-point last year. Championship caliber teams win the important games - the games with significance above and beyond a mere W or L in the standings. This year is likely to be no different. The winner on Sunday greatly improves their chances of ending up in Phoenix on Feb 3rd.

This is not the same Giants team that faced Dallas in the season opener. Strahan has worked himself back into game shape. Osi is healthy. If not quite comfortable, Kiwi is certainly more familiar playing linebacker. The defense, as a whole, is simply playing better. And the team is emotionally healthy, having been spoon fed six straight wins from the schedule gods (not their fault and certainly better than the alternative). But I believe there are two factors that will make a huge difference on Sunday - two things Dallas didn't have to address back in September - cornerback on defense and Brandon Jacobs on offense.

On Sunday the Giants enter the game with legitimate strength at corner. Although Ross is going to make rookie mistakes, his entry into the starting lineup has made a huge difference for the Giants. Yet it is the play of Madison that really seals the deal for me. Simply put, the transformation between his play in 2006 and 2007 has been nothing short of miraculous. And strength at corner - something that didn't exist back in September - is going to be huge on Sunday.

I am convinced that the secret to stopping Dallas on Sunday will be getting constant pressure on Romo. No small order. Dallas has an excellent offensive line - they have only given up 12 sacks all season - and the Giants sack attack will have their hands full. They will likely need to bring more than just four to get pressure - they need to bring the house. But the Giants have something they didn't have in September - two corners capable of holding up their end of the bargain. Dallas will likely get some big plays - but in the end, Madison and Ross should allow the Giants to be in Romo's face all day long on Sunday - to allow the Giants to attack rather than sit back.

On the other side of the ball, Brandon Jacobs could have an even greater impact. If I had a crystal ball that told me he'd stay healthy (a big "if"), there isn't any running back in the game today that I'd trade head up for Jacobs. A 125 yard game from a break away runner is very different than a 125 yard game from Brandon Jacobs. While 25-50 yard runs are exciting - and a threat - I'll take a steady diet of 4-8 yard runs by Brandon Jacobs, thank you very much. Not only does he move the chains and eat up the clock, he beats defenders into submission - physically and emotionally. And he opens up the passing game in ways a Tiki Barber style runner never dreamed of. Brandon Jacobs has the rare ability to totally dominate a game without having a single run over 10 yards.

The Cowboys didn't get the opportunity to have a "Brandon Jacobs experience" back in September. But on Monday morning I think they'll know exactly how it feels to be run over by a Mack truck.