NFL 2008 RSS
New York Giants (11-2) at Dallas Cowboys (8-5)
The NFC East champion New York Giants (11-2) look to clinch a first round playoff bye as they visit the
Dallas Cowboys (8-5) in Texas Stadium on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys need to keep winning to insure a playoff berth as they hang on to
the last playoff spot in the NFC. The Giants are 5-1 on the road this season, and the Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 at home.
New York wants to get back to its No. 1-ranked NFL ground game, led by BRANDON JACOBS, who rumbled for 117 yards against
Dallas in Week 9. Philly limited the Giants to 88 yards. If RB MARION BARBER's toe limits him, the national TV audience
will get a look at rookie TASHARD CHOICE, who rushed for the most yards vs. Pittsburgh this year, 88, and added 78
receiving. Plus, there's always QB TONY ROMO – third in the league in passer rating -- just flinging it.
"There is not going to be any lack of motivation on either side and it is going to be a great game to be a part of," says
center SHAUN O'HARA of the Giants, who are 5-4 in their last nine games in Dallas, including the playoffs. "It is a
Sunday night game, so everybody is going to be jacked up and it certainly does have other implications for both teams."
The Series: Cowboys & Giants Square Off for 94th Time
The Cowboys and Giants have squared off 93 times with Dallas holding a 54-37-2 advantage. Over the last 21 games between
the Cowboys and Giants, 12 games have been decided by a touchdown or less, with nine of those by four points-or-less and
three in overtime. Last years NFC Divisional Playoff game, is the only time the Cowboys and Giants have met in the playoffs.
The Giants defeated the Cowboys in Dallas 21-17, en route to their
Super Bowl XLII Championship (Giants 17 Patriots 14).
Last Time: New York Giants 35, Dallas Cowboys 14 (Nov. 2, 2008)
The Giants and Cowboys last met earlier this season at Giants Stadium in front of 78,826 fans.
Giants seize control from the onset
The Giants defeated the Cowboys 35-14 as starting quarterback Tony Romo was sidelined with a pinky injury in his
throwing hand. In that game, Giants QB Eli Manning threw 3 TD passes (13, 5, 11) & RB Brandon Jacobs
ran for 117 yards & scored 1 TD.
Eli Manning completed 16 of 27 passes for 147 yards and threw touchdown passes to Kevin Boss,
Steve Smith and Amani Toomer in the first half.
Brandon Jacobs (117 yards on 17 carries) and Derrick Ward (63 yards on 12 attempts) ran in for second-
half scores for the Giants.
The offense scored touchdowns all five times it ventured inside Dallas’ 20-yard line, a marked improvement
over the previous week's one-for-six showing in Pittsburgh.
Giants Defense Seizes Control
The Giants defense was in control throughout the game, keeping the Dallas offense
out of the end zone until the fourth quarter, neutralizing Marion
Barber to only 54 yards on 19 carries, Terrell Owens (five catches for
36 yards and a touchdown) and harassing Johnson and Bollinger
with four sacks and constant pressure.
The Giants had four takeaways for the second week in a row and held the Cowboys
to 183 total yards, 102 passing yards and 11 first downs.
The Giants scored 21 points off turnovers – two interceptions by Corey Webster in the first half
off Johnson and another by James Butler in the third quarter off Brooks Bollinger.
NFL 2008 Week 14: Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14
The New York Giants were handed a 20-14 loss by the Philadelphia Eagles at home
suffering only their second loss this NFL 2008 season.
Eli Manning completed 13-of-27 passes for 123 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions to lead
the Giants offense. Steve Smith led the Giants with four receptions for 47 yards, while Brandon
Jacobs added 52 yards on 10 carries on the ground.
The Eagles scored the first 10 points of the game and held the Giants scoreless until a blocked field goal
by New York was returned 71 yards by Kevin Dockery for a score. Dockery's return came as the first half ended,
thus cutting the Eagles lead to 10-7.
Both teams were able to tack on points in the third quarter, before the Eagles scored 10 unanswered points early
in the fourth quarter to take a 20-7 lead with only minutes remaining. The Giants scored once more on their final
drive when Manning threw a one-yard touchdown to Darcy Johnson cutting the Eagles lead to 20-14.
After the Giants onside kick attempt failed on the ensuing kickoff, the Philadelphia Eagles
were able to run off the remaining time on the clock and secure the 20-14 win.
The Giants had won seven consecutive games, including six in a row against teams with winning
records. New York suffered its first loas at home (6-1) and in the NFC East (4-1) division.
Despite the loss, the Giants claimed the NFC East title as Dallas was defeated by the Steelers in
Pittsburgh, 20-13.
The NFL's highest-scoring team couldn't score, as the Giants scored their only TD on offense with 15 seconds
remaining in the game. The Giants running attack was limited to only 88 yards (72 yards less than their per-game average).
The Giants, second in the NFL in time of possession, held the ball on offense for only 25:06.
Brian Westbrook of the Eagles ran for 131 yards. The Giants had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 14 straight games.
The game ended a tumultuous week in which wide receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended and placed
on the reserve/nonfootball injury list after he was wounded in an accidental shooting. Linebacker Antonio Pierce
has also been involved in the investigation.
The Giants had season-low totals of 211 yards and 14 first downs. New York converted only
three of 11 third down opportunities and went zero-for-three on fourth down. Manning completed
less than half of his passes (13 of 27, 48.1 percent) for the first time this year, though at least
three of his throws were dropped.
Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook gained 203 yards from scrimmage (131 yards on 33 rushing attempts and 72 yards on six
catches). Westbrook scored both Eagles touchdowns (30-yard run in the second quarter and a 40-yard reception in fourth).
David Akers also kicked two field goals (51, 34 yards) as the Eagles improved to 7-5-1.
NFL 2008 Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Dallas Cowboys 13
The Dallas Cowboys suffered their fifth loss of the season, a 20-13 road loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Playing in frigid conditions, the Cowboys and Steelers fought through the elements to
manage a field goal each by halftime.
In the third quarter, Dallas scored 10 points on its first two drives.
On the Cowboys first drive of the third quarter, Tony Romo found Terrell Owens in the back of the end zone for a
12-yard touchdown. Pittsburgh punted on the next series and the Cowboys drove the ball to the Steelers 15-yard line
in seven plays highlighted by a 50-yard passing connection from Romo to rookie running back Tashard Choice.
However, the Cowboys were not able to punch the ball in for a TD and were forced to settle for Nick Folk's
second field goal of the game (33-yards) which extended the Cowboys lead to 13-3.
The Steelers began their comeback late in the fourth quarter when Jeff Reed hit a 41-yard field goal on the Steelers second
drive of the 4th quarter to trim the Cowboys lead to 13-6.
After forcing Dallas to punt on the ensuing drive, Pittsburgh drove the length of the field and finished
with a game-tying touchdown as Ben Roethlisberger connected with Heath Miller from six yards out to make the
score 13-13.
With 2:04 remaining, the Cowboys next series was interrupted when Romo's pass on the second play of the drive was
intercepted by DeShea Townsend, who returned the pick 25 yards for the score to put the Steelers up 20-13.
The Cowboys final drive fell short after five plays with Romo's last pass of the game on fourth
down falling incomplete to give the Pittsburgh Steelers the 20-13 win.
NEW YORK GIANTS (11-2)
Including playoff games, Giants QB ELI MANNING is 25-6 over his past 31 starts. Manning has a 102.2 passer rating
in past 5 vs. the Dallas Cowboys (including playoffs) RB BRANDON JACOBS has 6 rush TDs over past 5 games. Jacobs
rushed for 117 yards & scored 1 TD in last meeting against Cowboys. When Jacobs rushes for 100 or more yards, the Giants
are 8-1. When Jacobs has 10 or more rushing attempts (including playoffs), the Giants are 24-5. RB DERRICK WARD had 63 yards & 1 TD in last meeting earlier this season against the Cowboys WR AMANI TOOMER has 3 TDs in past 2 games vs. the Dallas Cowboys, including 2 TDs in 2007 Divisional playoff matchup.
Including playoffs, Giants have won 9 in row when Toomer records a TD catch. WR STEVE SMITH had 1st career receiving TD in
last meeting. TE KEVIN BOSS has TD catch in 4 of past 7. Had TD in last meeting DE JUSTIN TUCK has 14.5 sacks
in past 14 (including Super Bowl XLII). When Tuck has sack (including playoffs), Giants are 13-4 (.765). Had 2.5 sacks in
last meeting. Blocked FG last week & CB KEVIN DOCKERY returned it 71 yards for TD. CB COREY WEBSTER had career-high 2
INTs in last game vs. the Dallas Cowboys
DALLAS COWBOYS (8-5)
Dallas Cowboys QB TONY ROMO is 26-10 (.722) as an NFL starter. In past 2 games vs. the New York Giants, Romo has
129.2 passer rating with 8 TDs vs. 2 INTs. Has 4 TDs in each of past 2 vs. the New York Giants. Cowboys are 18-3 (.857)
when Romo starts & has 100.0 or more rating When RB MARION BARBER has 11 or more carries, Cowboys are 26-4
(.867). Has 37 TDs (31 rush, 6 receiving) in past 43. In Div., Barber rushed for 129 yards & 1 TD WR TERRELL
OWENS has 13 receiving TDs in 11 meetings (including playoffs) & aims for 5th in row vs. the New York Giants with TD.
TE JASON WITTEN had 6 catches for 116 yards & 1 TD in last home meeting. Rookie TE MARTELLUS BENNETT has TD in 3 of
past 4 LB DE MARCUS WARE has 30.0 sacks in past 27. Has sack in 23 of past 27. LB GREG ELLIS has 17.5
sacks in past 26. LB BRADIE JAMES has 5.0 sacks in past 7. CB TERENCE NEWMAN has INT in 2 of past 4. Rookie CB
MIKE JENKINS had 23-yard INT-TD in last meeting.
PREDICTION: New York Giants 31, Dallas Cowboys 24
The Dallas Cowboys hold a 24-11 advantage over the Giants in regular season games played in Texas Stadium,
even though the Giants won last season's NFC Divisional playoff in Dallas.
With a win or other scenarios, the Giants earn a first-round bye. The Cowboys need to keep winning to insure a
playoff berth.
Romo's back and 90 percent of his game on Sunday will be brilliant.
But Romo's achilles heal is that he makes critical mistakes at the most inopportune times. Case in point, last week's
interception against the Steelers. Romo is a very good quarterback, but he won't become a great one until he shrugs
off his knack for big turnovers in big spots.
Give the Eagles Credit for last week's win
However, the swirling winds at Giants Stadium coupled with critical drops by the Giants receiving corp and a weak
defensive effort cost the Giants the game. Apparently, the Burress saga had more of an impact on the defense as Antonio
Pierce was distracted due to his involvement.
Marion Barber's Toe will be the Limiting Factor
The Giants lack of defensive focus was exposed by an extremely effective Eagles offensive game plan that featured
their star running back Brian Westbrook. Barber's style is different but just as effective as Westbrook's. However,
Barber's toe injury will keep the Cowboys from running their full complement on offense.
Giants Live for the Cowboys
More often than not the Eagles have the Giants number. But this is the Cowboys and the Giants rise up to the
occassion against their long-time NFC East rival.
Taken together, all these factors lead to an exciting NFL contest on Sunday night and a Giants 31-24 victory.
If Barber is at full capacity, expect the score to turn in the Cowboys favor 31-24.
RELATED NFL 2008 Week 15
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Mad Dash to the Playoffs as NFL 2008 Season Enters Its Final 3 Weeks
The final three weeks of the NFL 2008 season are upon us, and aside from the division-winning Arizona Cardinals (8-5),
New York Giants (11-2) and Tennessee Titans (12-1), it's a mad dash for the nine remaining playoff spots among the 19 teams still
eligible. There will be twists and turns in the remaining 3 weeks of the NFL 2008 regular season.
Saints Face Bears and Chicago's December Chill
The big question is whether Quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints top-ranked NFL passing offense can perform up to
its explosive level outdoors in the December chill of the Chicago night. The New Orleans Saints utilized a more
balanced run / pass attack last week in topping the Atlanta Falcons 29-25.
AFC North Division Rivals Set for Defensive Battle
NFL 2008 Week 15 presents one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL between two NFC North division foes as the
Steelers travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens this Sunday. On paper, this AFC North match-up should be one intense
defensive battle. Pittsburgh enters the contest ranked No. 1, while the Ravens are No. 2.
Real-Deal Panthers Set to Expose Broncos at Home
The AFC West-leading Broncos (8-5) face the NFC South-leading Panthers (10-3) in Week 15. Denver heads to Carolina
sporting a 3-game road winning streak and winners of 4 of their last 5. The Panthers come off their most
impressive victory of the season proving they are the real-deal this season.
No Place Like Home in the NFC South
Falcons host Buccaneers in Make-or-Break Game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons look to rebound after both lost on the road last week to NFC South Division rivals.
Both teams are in need of this win to maintain their standing in the NFC Wildcard race and perhaps the NFC South Divsion Title.
AFC East Leading Jets Aim to Rebound Against Bills
After defining moment victories on the road against the Patriots & Titans, the Jets have fallen to lesser opponents over the
past two weeks. First losing to the Broncos at home (34-17) and then losing to the 49ers (24-14) in San Francisco, the Jets
now find themselves in a dogfight for the AFC East title.
NFC Division Leading Vikings & Cardinals Clash in Desert
This Sunday's game is a match-up of first-place teams with 8-5 records as the Vikings visit the Cardinals in Arizona.
The Minnesota Vikings have a one-game lead on Chicago in the NFC North. The Cardinals are the NFC West champions.
NFL Playoff Races Intensify as Season Enters Final 3 Weeks
NFL 2008 Weekend 15 - Playoff Races, Playoff Scenarios & Strength of Schedule
With three weeks remaining in the regular season only 3 teams have clinched playoff spots while the race to make the
playoffs is even tighter.
NFL 2008 Week 14 was a week in which three teams clinched NFL playoff spots. The Tennessee Titans (12-1) clinched the
AFC South by defeating the Cleveland Browns 28-9. The Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West by winning 34-10 over the Saint
Louis Rams. And even though, they lost to the Eagles 2-14, the Giants clinched the NFC East by virtue of the Dallas Cowboys
20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL 1958 Championship: Giants vs Colts
The Greatest NFL Game Ever Played
50th Anniversary of the Greatest NFL Game Ever Played: 1958 NFL Championship at Yankee Stadium
Fifty years ago this December 28, 2008, what would become known as "The Greatest Game every Played" took
place -– the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at Yankee
Stadium in New York City.
And when Colts fullback ALAN AMECHE burst through a hole
for a one-yard touchdown with 6:45 left in overtime (left) – at 4:51 on a foggy, drizzly day –
he took the National Football League with him into a new era.
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NFL 2008 WEEK 14 SCHEDULE
(All times local)
Thursday, December 4
Oakland at San Diego, 5:00 PM (NFLN)
Sunday, December 7
Miami at Buffalo (Toronto), 4:05 PM
Kansas City at Denver, 2:05 PM
N.Y. Jets at San Francisco, 1:05 PM
Jacksonville at Chicago, 12:00 PM
New England at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Minnesota at Detroit, 1:00 PM
St. Louis at Arizona, 2:15 PM
Houston at Green Bay, 12:00 PM
Dallas at Pittsburgh, 4:15 PM
Cincinnati at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Atlanta at New Orleans, 12:00 PM
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1:00 PM
Cleveland at Tennessee, 12:00 PM
Washington at Baltimore, 8:15 PM (NBC)
Monday, December 8
Tampa Bay at Carolina, 8:30 PM (ESPN)
NFL 2008 WEEK 13 RESULTS – NOVEMBER 27, 30- DECEMBER 1
(Home team in CAPS)
Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27, 2008)
Tennessee Titans 47 DETROIT LIONS 10
DALLAS COWBOYS 34 Seattle Seahawks 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 48 Arizona Cardinals 20
Sunday, November 30
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 23 New Orleans Saints 20
N.Y. Giants 23 WASHINGTON REDSKINS 7
Atlanta Falcons 22 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 16
Pittsburgh Steelers 33 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10
Denver Broncos 34 N.Y. JETS 17
San Francisco 49ers 10 BUFFALO BILLS 3
Kansas City Chiefs 20 OAKLAND RAIDERS 13
Baltimore Ravens 34 CINCINNATI BENGALS 3
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 34 Chicago Bears 14
Indianapolis Colts 10 CLEVELAND BROWNS 6
Carolina Panthers 35 GREEN BAY PACKERS 31
Miami Dolphins 16 SAINT LOUIS RAMS 12
Monday, December 1
HOUSTON TEXANS 30 Jacksonville Jaguars 17
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