NFC Playoff Preview - Giants @ Cowboys

New York Giants (11-6) at Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
Texas Stadium, Sunday, 1:30 p.m., FOX

Coaches' playoff records:
Wade Phillips, Dallas, 0-3 Tom Coughlin, NY Giants, 5-6

Last meeting:
November 11, 2007 at East Rutherford, New Jersey - Cowboys 31, Giants 20.
Cowboys end New York's six-game winning streak and complete a season sweep behind another strong effort by Tony Romo, who throws four touchdowns for the second time in as many games against the Giants. After New York forges a 17-17 halftime tie, Cowboys pull away in second half as Terrell Owens catches TD passes of 25 of 50 yards.

First meeting:
September 9, 2007 at Dallas - Cowboys 45, Giants 35. The Cowboys open the Wade Phillips era by holding off the Giants in a shootout. The teams accounted for more than 900 yards of total offense as Romo and Giants quarterback Eli Manning each throw four TDs. Dallas gains 478 yards but surrenders 438 and sees New York close within 38-35 with four minutes left before Romo finally puts away the Giants with a 51-yard TD pass to Sam Hurd a minute later.

Giants offense against Cowboys defense --------------------------------------
Key Matchups:
RB Brandon Jacobs vs. NFL's 8th-ranked run defense
QB Eli Manning vs. NFL's 13th-ranked pass defense
WR Plaxico Burress vs. CB Terence Newman
LT David Diehl vs. LB DeMarcus Ware
RT Kareem McKenzie vs. LE Marcus Spears
The Giants beat the Buccaneers last week with a relatively conservative game plan, trying to avoid mistakes against a team with a plus-15 turnover ratio. Although the Giants got off to a slow start with three-and-outs on their first three possessions, Manning played with poise and confidence. He threw two TDs and no interceptions against the league's top pass defense as the Giants dominated after spotting Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead. However, New York may need more big plays against a team considerably more explosive than the Buccaneers. Manning passes for only 185 yards against the Buccaneers. They also probably need more from bruising running back Brandon Jacobs, who rushed for only 26 yards last week.

Cowboys offense against Giants defense --------------------------------------
Key Matchups:
QB Tony Romo vs. NFL's 11th-ranked pass defense
RB Julius Jones vs. NFL's 4th-ranked run defense
WR Terrell Owens vs. CB Sam Madison or Corey Webster
LT Flozell Adams vs. RE Osi Umenyiora
RT Marc Colombo vs. LE Michael Strahan
The Cowboys need to get their potent offense back in high gear after struggling down the stretch. After rolling to an 11-1 start, Dallas seemed to lose an edge down the stretch, splitting its last four games. The Cowboys were kept out of the end zone in losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. Dallas, however, is still capable of putting up huge numbers, especially if WR Terrell Owens returns to the lineup. Owens has been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain against Carolina on December 22 and the Cowboys say he will be a game-time decision. The Cowboys will be looking to reverse their recent playoff struggles. They have lost five straight playoff games since their last postseason win in 1996.

Three keys to the game ----------------------
1) They need a T.O, baby: Assuming Owens plays, the Giants need to do a much better job of limiting his damage. In the two regular-season games, he combined for nine receptions for 212 yards and four touchdowns.
2) Putting pressure on Romo: Increased pressure contributed to Romo's struggles down the stretch. The Giants led the NFL in sacks during the regular season with 53 but they got to Romo only twice.
3) Still plenty potent: Despite their struggles down the stretch, the Cowboys led the NFC in scoring with 455 points, including 76 in the two wins over the Giants. The Cowboys want to turn Sunday's contest into a shootout.