Dallas versus New York, with first place on the line in the NFC East. Early on, when the Giants were 4-1 and the Cowboys were 2-3, I talked about how the schedule was the difference, and I slightly favored the Cowboys to win the division. The schedule has shifted, and now we come into this game with the Cowboys with the one game lead. However, both have managed to squander opportunities, as the Dallas overtime loss to Arizona neutralized the Giants’ earlier home loss to the Seahawks.

How important is this game? Well, the winner will be a prohibitive favorite to win the division, especially if it is Dallas. Dallas would have a two game lead in the division with three to play, and will have almost clinched the division tiebreaker (needing only a win over New York again, or Philadelphia at home). New York with a win would be tied with the Giants, but would swing the tiebreakers in their favor, pending the home game in New York to end the season.

So yeah, this one is pretty big. Both teams have shown alternate flashes of pretty good play, and boneheaded errors. Whoever wins the head to head games between these two win the division, and the Cowboys probably just need a split.

The matchup is fairly even, with Dallas having the home field. New York is actually the more efficient passing game on offense, while Dallas has the advantage in pass defense, rush defense, and rushing offense, though the Giants were better last week with Ahmad Bradshaw contributing.

[photo via Getty]