1. THE REMATCH
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Holding a share of the NFC East lead, the New York Giants (3-3) host the Dallas Cowboys (2-3) on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET) at MetLife Stadium for a critical game in the division. Big Blue let a late 10-point lead slip away in a season-opening loss to Dallas as part of a 0-2 start. The Giants rebounded and won three in a row before falling on Monday night to the Eagles, who are also 3-3.
"All of them are important, all of them are big, so every game counts in this league, every one is important," Giants quarterback Eli Manning said. "But the fact it is Dallas and we've played them already, it's a chance for us to get back to a winning record. It's a big one and we've got to go out there and play well."
2. QB CHANGE IN DALLAS
Over the bye week, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett named Matt Cassel as the team's starting quarterback, replacing Brandon Weeden, who started the previous three games -- all losses -- in place of the injured Tony Romo. Cassel is 34-38 in 72 career starts for four different teams, throwing 96 touchdowns to 70 interceptions. He has a career completion percentage of 59.0 with a passer rating of 80.1.
3. COWBOYS D NEARS FULL STRENGTH
While all eyes are on their offense, the Cowboys are getting back to full strength on defense, notably with the return of end Greg Hardy and linebacker Rolando McClain, who both served four-game suspensions to start the year. Meanwhile, end Randy Gregory, the team's second-round draft choice this year, is expected to return to the field for the first time since he injured his ankle in the opener against the Giants.
4. FLOWERS VS. HARDY
On an individual level, the matchup to watch on Sunday will be Hardy against rookie left tackle Ereck Flowers, the Giants' first-rounder and ninth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Giants uncharacteristically allowed three sacks last week after surrendering just four in the previous five games. Meanwhile, Hardy sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady twice in the pass-rusher's first game back in Week 5.
5. ODELL QUESTIONABLE; GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday
LT ERECK FLOWERS While all eyes are on the Cowboys' offense with injuries to Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo and an All-Pro receiver in Bryant, their defense is getting back to full strength. Right defensive end Greg Hardy and middle linebacker Rolando McClain are back from four-game suspensions, and the rookie Gregory, the Cowboys' second-round pick, is looking like he'll play for the first time since Week 1. "They've got a real good defensive line," left tackle Ereck Flowers said. "They've got a lot of depth, so it's going to be a good game. We're saying it's going to be a four-quarter game."
WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. Like last week, second-year wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has missed practiced because of a hamstring leading up the Giants' game against the Cowboys on Sunday. While coach Tom Coughlin hopes it's a short-term plan, it might become the norm as long as Beckham is ready by game day and continues to lead all receivers like he did in Philadelphia. This will also be the first game against the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium since "The Catch" launched Beckham's rookie season into orbit. "It's just kind of one of those things," Beckham said. "You've got to maintain and get as many reps as you can, whether they're physical or mental. So right now, like I said, get as many mental reps as you can and make sure you come out prepared, stick to the game plan."
![RB ANDRE WILLIAMS
As the last NFL team without a 100-yard rushing game this season, the Giants have shown flashes this season but haven't run the ball consistently as they split the carries between Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, and Shane Vereen (Orleans Darkwa is used primarily on special teams). Overall, Jennings leads the group with 66 rushes for 243 yards, followed by Williams (45 for 127) and Vereen (29 for 101). Last year Williams led the team in rushing as a rookie, and more touches might help him get into a groove once again.
"For Rashad, it doesn't seem to be [hard to get into a groove]," Coughlin said. "For Shane, it doesn't seem to be. I do think that, quite frankly, Williams probably needs more carries. But under the present system, it's something that we have to deal with."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/yn6ka9zsiy7ecvmtn0vw.jpg)
RB ANDRE WILLIAMS As the last NFL team without a 100-yard rushing game this season, the Giants have shown flashes this season but haven't run the ball consistently as they split the carries between Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, and Shane Vereen (Orleans Darkwa is used primarily on special teams). Overall, Jennings leads the group with 66 rushes for 243 yards, followed by Williams (45 for 127) and Vereen (29 for 101). Last year Williams led the team in rushing as a rookie, and more touches might help him get into a groove once again. "For Rashad, it doesn't seem to be [hard to get into a groove]," Coughlin said. "For Shane, it doesn't seem to be. I do think that, quite frankly, Williams probably needs more carries. But under the present system, it's something that we have to deal with."
SAFETY BRANDON MERIWEATHER No Giants player is as familiar with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel as Brandon Meriweather. The Giants hope that knowledge proves useful this week. Cassel will make his initial start for the Cowboys on Sunday after he was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on Sept. 22. Cassel takes over for Brandon Weeden, who started three games after Tony Romo fractured his collarbone in Philadelphia on Sept. 20. Cassel got his first extended opportunity to play in 2008 after Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener. Cassel led Patriots to 10 wins, but the Patriots missed the playoffs despite an 11-5 record. Meriweather, who signed with the Giants in mid-August, played in every game with 11 starts as a second-year safety on that team. "Matt was an athlete," Meriweather sad. "He was a good runner and he had a strong arm. When he got his time to shine, he capitalized on it. He was that one player that if anything happened to Tom, could go in there and step up."
LB DEVON KENNARD The Giants' second-year linebacker is itching to get back on the field after missing the last two games with a hamstring issue. Before the injury, Kennard racked up 25 tackles and four passes defensed so far this season, including his first career interception in the Buffalo game when he was injured. The Giants pulled off a thrilling 30-27 victory over San Francisco a week later but then fell 27-7 to Philadelphia, snapping a three-game winning streak in the process. "Two weeks felt like freaking two months," Kennard said. "I can't wait to get out there. I love the way our defense is competing and playing week in and week out. And I want to be a part of it. I want do what I can to help us win."
Out: CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral), WR Victor Cruz (calf).
Questionable: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring), LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), CB Trumaine McBride (groin), CB Brandon McGee (back), LB Uani 'Unga (neck).
Probable: DE Robert Ayers Jr. (hamstring), LB Jon Beason (knee), DT Johnathan Hankins (calf), LB Devon Kennard (hamstring), WR Rueben Randle (hamstring), CB Trevin Wade (concussion).
6. DEZ OUT; COWBOYS INJURY REPORT
Out: WR Dez Bryant (foot). Questionable: TE James Hanna (ankle).
Wide receiver Dez Bryant was listed as doubtful on Friday, but was downgraded to out on Sunday.
Probable: WR Brice Butler (hamstring), DE Randy Gregory (ankle), DE Greg Hardy (illness), DE David Irving (back), S Danny McCray (not injury related).
7. TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL
In their first and last games, the Giants defied conventional wisdom when it comes to turnover differential. They were plus-three against Dallas in Week 1 and plus-one against Philadelphia in Week 6. Both resulted in losses. The Giants are tied for first in the NFL with a plus-six turnover differential this season. The Cowboys are tied for 27th at minus-five.
8. "THE CATCH" REVISITED
By now, Beckham has proved he is more than "The Catch" that he made against the Cowboys last season. The reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year will face the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium for the first time since that defining moment on Nov. 23, 2014.
But all that is in the past. Beckham, who has 38 receptions for 489 yards and four touchdowns this season, missed practice for the second-straight week with a hamstring issue but looks to be ready for Sunday.
"I'm counting on that, yes," Coughlin said.
9. CAN THE GIANTS HIT 100 ON THE GROUND?
As the only team left in the NFL without one, the Giants have not had a 100-yard rushing game in any of their first six weeks.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the first time the Giants have rushed for fewer than 100 yards in six consecutive games.
10. SUPER BOWL XXV CHAMPION EVERSON WALLS TO BE HONORARY CAPTAIN
In keeping with the 25th anniversary celebration of Super Bowl XXV, former Giants defensive back Everson Walls, a member of the 1990 team that won it all, will be an honorary captain for the coin toss on Sunday. Fittingly, Walls will do so when the Giants face Dallas, where he played nine seasons and made four Pro Bowls before joining Big Blue.
