Showdown in Texas
The New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 37-34 as their first match up of the season was one for the ages. With the victory, the Giants snap a four game skid and are tied for first place with the 'Boys.
The Dallas Cowboys were on the verge of tying the game with six seconds left. Dan Bailey kicked the ball through the goal posts but Tom Coughlin had used his final timeout right before the snap. On the second attempt, Jason Pierre-Paul looked more like Amare Stoudamire when he blocked the field goal giving the Giants the victory.
A game that was very dramatic towards the final five minutes, should have never been close. With six minutes left in the fourth, the Cowboys intercepted Eli Manning and eventually scored on a blown coverage by the Giants secondary. The Cowboys led 34-22.
Manning took the field and was able to do as he pleased with the Dallas defense. On Dallas' next possession they could have finished the game and the Giants' playoff hopes. Quarterback Tony Romo had Miles Austin wide open and overthrew the pass, forcing the Cowboys to punt.
A horrible punt gave the Giants great field position. Manning attacked the defense again and, together with a few penalties against the Cowboys, was able to cap his sixth game winning drive of the season with a TD run by Brandon Jacobs.
As for the defense, Jason Pierre-Paul was the Giants' big stopper. Aside from the block punt, he forced a safety to open up the score. He was also in the right places to make big tackles and he forced a fumble.
After today, both teams have 7-6 records and three games left in the season. The Giants will head home to face the Washington Redskins, while the Cowboys will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida.
With wins by both the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons, the Cowboys and the Giants will have to win the division in order to get in the playoffs.
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