While there are some intense division battles across the NFL, including in both the AFC North and the NFC South, the NFC East may very well come down to which of the top two teams can do better in head-to-head competition over these final four weeks. One game separates the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants at the top of the NFC East, and with both of their matchups still remaining on the regular season schedule, that could be what decides which of these two teams advances to the postseason.
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
Sunday December 11, 2011 – 8:30 PM ET
Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
NFL Betting Lines: Dallas Cowboys – 3.5
The Cowboys have made the most of their divisional games so far this season with two wins in three tries, while New York has won just one of three and have lost four straight overall. Despite their skid, the Giants may have played their best game of the year in last weekend’s loss to the undefeated Green Bay Packers, and need to carry over the momentum from that contest.
Bet Giants Cowboys Preview: New York Giants
While the final result wasn’t there for New York last week, they did manage to register 447 total yards and matched the defending Super Bowl champions in points until the dying seconds of a 38-35 loss. Quarterback Eli Manning threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns but would like to have his one interception back, while the defense was able to generate some solid pressure up front on Aaron Rodgers. The Giants showed a strong improvement from their road loss to the New Orleans Saints the previous week, but if they are going to have a shot at the postseason, they are going to need to prove their merit against a legitimate contender according to the sports betting numbers.
Bet Giants Cowboys Preview: Dallas Cowboys
A win last week should have given the Cowboys a two-game cushion in the NFC East heading in to this game, but after head coach Jason Garrett iced his kicker with a timeout in the dying seconds on a field goal that he actually hit but didn’t count, Dallas finds themselves in a must-win situation. Dallas has won four of its last five and would have won all five if it wasn’t for that late gaffe, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds. Quarterback Tony Romo has significantly reduced his turnovers with the emergence of running back DeMarco Murray, and that trend will need to continue this week against New York.
Bet Giants Cowboys Preview: Outlook & Pick
While the loss may not seem significant in terms of the mindset of the team just yet, we have to consider the effect it will have on such a fragile team as the Cowboys, especially with the Giants coming in to this game firing on all cylinders. The sportsbooks have Dallas listed as the favorite at home, but more than a field goal may be asking too much.
Bet Giants Cowboys Pick: New York Giants