4 bold predictions for Week 17 against the Cowboys

Remarkably, heading into the final week of the NFL regular season, the New York Giants (5-10) remain in contention for the NFC East title and no. 3 picks in total in the 2021 draft.

The Giants host the Dallas Cowboys (6-9) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Despite the tumultuous 2020 campaign for Dallas, Mike McCarthy’s side will also be looking for an unlikely NFC East crown.

New York opened the week as a 2.5-point underdog at home, although the line has since moved to New York for +1.5.

This move is the product of recent play by both teams. Joe Judge’s team lead a disheartening three-game losing streak, falling to the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.

Dallas has won three in a row, but against weaker competition, especially at quarterback. The Cowboys beat Brandon Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals, Nick Mullens and the San Francisco 49ers, and the Philadelphia Eagles in Jalen Hurts’ second career start.

Dallas won Game 1, 37-34, in Week 5 at AT&T Stadium. Both teams scored a defensive touchdown and Dak Prescott was injured during the game.

Surprisingly, the Giants haven’t beaten the Cowboys since 2016.

Let’s take a closer look at this surprisingly pivotal Week 17 match and make some silly predictions.

1) The Giants will arrive at Andy Dalton

The Giants’ defense (ranked No.10) is stronger against the pass than against the run, so it’s safe to say they are going to make Andy Dalton uncomfortable throughout the afternoon.

The New York D regressed midway through the losing streak, but they faced Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson – all vying for playoff positioning.

Yes, Dallas has protected Dalton better in recent weeks, allowing him to throw seven touchdowns and one interception in their winning streak. His receiving trio, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper, were also hot.

However, New York has the cover to match. That said, expect Giants’ side safeties Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan, along with cornerbacks James Bradberry and Isaac Yiadom, to give their rushed pass a few red rocket-shaking opportunities.

2) The Giants will control the game on the field

Dallas has one of the most generous running defenses in football. They allowed 2,416 rushing yards in 2020, the second most in team history (ESPN). Overall, the Cowboys have given up 161 yards per game, the league’s worst, this season. They have improved in recent weeks, but not substantially.

They had one of their best performances against New York in Week 5 (89 yards), but it won’t be repeated, especially without linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

The Giants have struggled on the pitch since Week 13, but that trend will likely end on Sunday. Look for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to ride Wayne Gallman Jr. (along with Alfred Morris and Dion Lewis) to keep the game low as they control the clock.

Gallman leads New York with 617 rushing yards, and he should see some space against Dallas. Moreover, the Giants are not made to erase deficits and play from behind.

Plus, the Cowboys defense has done a much better job forcing turnovers lately (10 in three games), and Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is still recovering from hamstring and ankle injuries.

Jones is the Giants’ second lead runner, but he’s only taken off once in the last two games. Prior to that, he was averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Jones admitted he was not 100%, and he hinted he would not be looking to throw the ball out of the pocket. Hmm… a classic game or an honest assessment of its limits?

The Giants have been sacked 12 times in the past two weeks, and the team’s struggling O-Line faces a tough game with the Dallas line-up of DeMarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith.

All things considered, Garrett will be extremely careful with his QB and offensive line and let the backfield do the heavy lifting. When he’s not handing the ball, expect Jones to hit Evan Engram, Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard on quick, high percentage throws.

3) Logic won’t be a factor

There is no reason the Cowboys should lose this game. They are in better shape and have more talent.

New York’s offense has failed to reach 20 points in each of the last five games, and they have scored 26 points overall in the past three weeks. New York is ranked 31st overall and its 257 points are the second few in the NFL. The Cowboys are averaging 36 points per game during this span.

But…

This is a must-see pseudo-playoff game for two division rivals who know each other well. In general, the two teams are equal, and it’s hard to imagine this one not being decided by a controversial appeal, a tilted pass or a special team playing in the fourth quarter.

It’s been a cursed season for Dallas since training camp, and it’s coming to a head at East Rutherford.

On that note …

4) Giants will go down in history

New York, Dallas and the Washington football team remain in contention for the division. Here is the breakdown (excluding a few multi-tied scenarios) at the start of week 17:

• Dallas will come out with a win over New York and a loss or tie in Washington.
• New York wins and defeats Washington.
• Washington wins with a victory.

In other words: the winner of this game will make the playoffs if Washington loses to Philadelphia on Sunday night football.

Both teams’ recent play will be proven to be heavily scheduled and McCarthy will make at least one major clock error. His team’s playoff hopes will be dashed by… Jason Garrett.

Later, the Eagles would ruin Washington’s playoff hopes, and the Giants would become the first six-game playoff team in NFL history, resulting in a Wild Card game against – who else? – Tom Brady.