Sun Dec. 15, 4:15 pm (FOX) - Dallas at Giants
Dallas Cowboys at the Giants.
This is one of those games the Giants are "supposed to" win. Now if the Giants had won all the games they were "supposed to" win, they
wouldn't be in the fix they're in right now. Even if they run the table and win their last three games, they may still not get a playoff berth. It's all dependent on some other teams right
now. If the Eagles win just one more game, they are the division champs.
It would be just great if the Eagles lost their next two games to the Redskins and Dallas, and the Giants won their two against Dallas and Indianapolis. That would have the Giants and the
Eagles playing in the last game of the season, for the division title.
That might be a bit too much to hope for, so in the meantime, looking at the wildcard spots, start rooting against New Orleans and Atlanta.
Ron Dixon.
Jim Fassel had warned him about being late for team meetings, and missing medical treatments and doctor appointments. And so Ron Dixon became the big news
item of the week, when Fassel decided to suspend him without pay for Sunday's game against Dallas. The suspension will cost Dixon about $22,000 in pay, and hopefully teach him whatever message
Jim Fassel is sending his way. When Dixon had his doctor's appointment, he learned he needed arthroscopic surgery, which he underwent on Thursday. With
three games left, he's probably finished for this year, unless the Giants make the playoffs.
"I hate that this whole incident happened.", said Dixon. "I had my opportunity to play, was enjoying myself and everything was going the way I wanted. Then I get injured, then this
happens." This is the second time Dixon has been suspended by the Giants. He also was suspended for a game while a rookie in 2000. Filing in for injured receiver Ike Hilliard,
Ron had 22 catches for 377 yards so far this season, including five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in the game he started in against the Titans on Dec. 1.
Michael Strahan missed practice on Friday.
According to Jim Fassel, Strahan was lifting weights before practice Thursday when he felt a muscle pull in his chest. He went ahead and practiced, but he was sore on Friday. They had the
head trainer, Ronnie Barnes take him over to the hospital to be checked out. The examination revealed that Strahan was suffering from a strained neck. Strahan said, "It's a little painful
right now, but I fully expect to play on Sunday."
Will Allen and Will Peterson and Kato Serwanga.
The starting cornerbacks are both expected to play on Sunday. Allen missed last week's game with a shoulder injury, and Peterson had been sidelined two games with a concussion. Fan favorite
from last week's game with two big plays that helped the Giants defeat the Redskins, cornerback Kato Serwanga, is still bothered by a hamstring injury and probably will sit out this game.
Giants on offense.
The Giants, despite injuries to their wide receiver group, have been able to put points on the board. Looking at the last five games, they scored in the high twenties, three times, with 27,
29, and 27 points. Kerry Collins has been very sharp. Amani Toomer has been making the catches (64 catches for 983 yards), and Jeremy Shockey has been Jeremy Shockey (54 receptions).
Dallas.
Things started off badly for the Cowboys this year, losing their very first game to the expansion team Houston Texans. It never got much better as the season wore on, and the Cowboys now find
themselves with a 5-8 record. They have no chance of making the playoffs, and would be happy to close out the season with a .500 record. The Cowboys are ranked 26th in the NFL in total offense
and 31st in scoring offense, averaging just 14.8 points a game, although they have averaged 25 points a game on the last three they've played.
Dallas had won two in a row before allowing San Francisco to score a last minute come from behind win against them last week. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stormed out of the locker room in frustration,
after they allowed two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game. Jones said his reaction wasn't an indication that he was upset with Campo or was contemplating a coaching change. Campo
is 15-30 in three seasons with the Cowboys.
Dallas quarterback Chad Hutchinson.
When the Giants beat the Cowboys 21-17 on Oct. 6, they were playing against quarterback Quincy Carter. Carter didn't do that bad going 23-for-42, throwing
for a career-high 262 yards in that loss to the Giants. Right now, the Cowboys have more confidence in Chad Hutchinson who has now started in six games for them. Hutchinson is taller than
Carter, more of a pocket passer, and has the distinction of being the first quarterback in NFL history to have pitched in the major leagues.
We know what you're thinking, but you're wrong. Former Giants quarterback Danny Kanell recently tried to make a go of it in baseball, but he didn't make it out the minors.
Chad Hutchinson had pitched four innings in three games for the St. Louis Cardinals, early on in the 2001 season, and as you might guess, he has a strong arm. Giants defensive
coordinator Johnnie Lynn says, "He has a very, very strong arm and he's pretty accurate, and he can make all the throws."
Dallas on offense.
The Cowboys feel that Chad Hutchinson is learning with every game, and then of course there is Emmitt Smith, who has nothing more to learn. He's always effective, and his running (900 yards
this season), will help keep some of the pressure off of Hutchinson. Emmitt has Troy Hambrick playing behind him, and he averages 4.3 yards a carry. The Giants have had their troubles stopping
the run since they've lost Keith Hamilton for the season, and Joey Galloway is a great target for any quarterback.
Dallas on defense.
The Cowboys caught a break last time out, because Jeremy Shockey suffered a sprained toe and caught only one pass for 11 yards. This game they get to learn what Shockey is all about. They
also have to deal with Amani Toomer. The Cowboys cornerback position is shaky, and they are hoping rookie cornerback Derek Ross will be able to play on Sunday. If not, Dwayne Goodrich will
make his first career start.
The bigger problem for the Giants will be running against the Cowboys who are ranked second in yards-per-rush defense. As usual, the Giants will use Tiki Barber out of the backfield nearly
as much as they run the ball with him. Tiki Barber has 56 catches so far this season.
Notes:
Kerry Collins has 12,953 passing yards for the Giants and needs 47 to join Phil Simms, Charlie Conerly and Fran Tarkenton as the only players in club
history to reach 13,000.
Kerry Collins needs 239 yards for his third consecutive 3,500-yard passing season.
Amani Toomer has four 100-yard receiving games this season.
Toomer's career high is five, set in 2000.
Tiki Barber needs 157 yards to join Joe Morris as the only players in club history to rush for 1,200 yards in single-season.
Joe Morris rushed for 1,336 yards in 1985 and 1,516 yards in 1986.
Delvin Joyce is averaging only 7.9 yards on punt returns but 25.0 yards on kickoff returns.
Dallas running back Emmitt Smith needs 100 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the 12th consecutive season.
Next Game
Dec 22, Giants at Indianapolis 1:00 PM.
Last Week's review, game 13 - Giants 27 - Redskins 21
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