Friday December 30th, 2004 - Page updated at 1:30pm
NFL Week 17 Game Previews
By: C. McDermott
NFL Handicapper For WagerOnFootball.com Sportsbook Review

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NFL Preview - Minnesota (8-7) at Washington (5-10)

(NFL Wager With Our Sportsbook Review) - The Minnesota Vikings will look to solidify their place in their NFC playoff field on Sunday, when Mike Tice's team travels to FedEx Field to face the Washington Redskins.

The Vikings surrendered a chance to win the NFC North title last Friday, when Tice and company squandered a late lead to lose to visiting Green Bay, 34-31. Minnesota, which is now 3-6 since a 5-1 start, can clinch a wild card berth with a win over the Redskins, and could also find a spot in the field with a Rams loss to the Jets.

The Redskins won't be vying for a spot in the playoffs, but will be playing the role of spoiler while trying to end a disappointing 2004 season on a positive note. Washington endured a heartbreaking 13-10 defeat to the Cowboys last Sunday, clinching the worst record in the 13-year head-coaching career of Joe Gibbs. Gibbs' previous low mark was a 7-9 ledger in the 1988 season. The Redskins are currently tied for third in the NFC East along with the Giants, one game behind the second-place Cowboys.

SERIES HISTORY

Washington has a 6-5 lead in the all-time regular season series with Minnesota, but dropped the two most recent such matchups, in 1993 at home, and in 1998 at the Metrodome. The Redskins last defeated the Vikings during the 1992 campaign, and most recently won a home regular season game versus Minnesota in 1986.

In addition to their regular season edge, the Redskins have a 3-2 advantage in the all-time postseason series. The Vikings knocked Washington out of the NFC playoffs in 1973 and 1976, and the Redskins earned postseason wins over Minnesota in 1982, 1987, and 1992. The most memorable matchup between the teams could be the 1987 NFC Championship, won by Washington, 17-10, en route to a Super Bowl title.

Gibbs was a perfect 7-0 against the Vikings during his first stint with the team (1981-92), including playoffs, and was 3-0 against Minnesota in Redskin home games. Tice will be meting both Gibbs and the Redskins for the first time as a head coach.

VIKINGS OFFENSE VS. REDSKINS DEFENSE

Minnesota's game of musical running backs appears to have stopped on Michael Bennett (257 yards, 1 TD on the year), who carried 17 times for 92 yards and caught three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Green Bay loss. Former starter Onterrio Smith (539 yards, 32 receptions, 4 TD) was inactive against the Packers, and one-time No. 1 Mewelde Moore (379 yards) carried just once. Third-down back Moe Williams (157 rushing yards, 20 receptions, 4 TD) had a carry and a catch on Christmas Eve. The Vikings rank 15th in NFL rushing offense (118.1 yards per game).

Bennett and company could have trouble moving the ball on the Redskins, who enter Week 17 ranked third in the NFL in rushing defense (83.5 yards per game). The unit held the Cowboys' Julius Jones to 57 yards on 22 carries last Sunday, with linebackers Lemar Marshall (61 tackles), Antonio Pierce (104 tackles) and Marcus Washington (101 tackles) leading the way. Marshall had a team-high nine tackles in the loss, and Pierce and Washington added seven each. Tackle Cornelius Griffin (67 tackles, 5 sacks), who has been the line's best run-stuffer in 2004, pitched in with three tackles. The Redskins will be without LB LaVar Arrington (knee), who was placed on injured reserve this week after playing sparingly in the past two games.

Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper (4418 passing yards, 37 TD, 11 INT) turned in another strong performance against the Packers, completing 16 of 23 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort. Culpepper spread the ball to seven different targets, most notably Nate Burleson (2 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD in the game) and Randy Moss (2 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD). Burleson and tight end Jermaine Wiggins are tied for the team lead in catches with 64, and Moss has a team-high 12 touchdown grabs. Wiggins led Tice's crew with four receptions against the Pack. Culpepper was not sacked by the Packers, but has been dropped 42 times on the year. Minnesota ranks second in the league in passing offense (283.2 yards per game).

The job of handling Moss and Burleson will fall to Redskins cornerbacks Shawn Springs (61 tackles, 5 sacks, 5 INT) and Fred Smoot (59 tackles, 3 INT), who have both had strong years for the team. Springs recorded seven tackles, two sacks, and an interception against Dallas. Smoot bruised his kidney and side in the Cowboys loss, but is expected to play against the Vikings. Safety Sean Taylor (70 tackles, 4 INT) will be another member of the secondary counted on for big plays against Minnesota. Washington sacked Dallas QB Vinny Testaverde five times last Sunday, with backup end Ron Warner (3.5 sacks on the year) ranking as the only lineman to notch one. The Skins rank fifth in the league in passing defense (180.6 yards per game).

REDSKINS OFFENSE VS. VIKINGS DEFENSE

Washington will go to work this week without its most consistent offensive performer, as running back Clinton Portis (1315 yards, 5 TD) was placed on the injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle earlier this week. Portis rushed for 32 yards on 10 carries before exiting the Dallas game, after which he was replaced by backup Ladell Betts (253 yards on the year). Betts gained 43 yards on 13 carries. No running back besides Portis and Betts has carried for Washington this season, and fullback Rock Cartwright, who led the team in rushing last year, could see his first attempts of the year this week. Gibbs' squad ranks 20th in NFL rushing offense (109.9 yards per game).

The Vikings did a good job limiting Green Bay's Ahman Green last week, holding the Pro Bowler to 64 yards on 19 carries in the game. Nose tackle Spencer Johnson (36 tackles) was at the forefront of the effort, contributing a team- high eight solo tackles in the loss. Linebackers Chris Claiborne (47 tackles), E.J. Henderson (87 tackles), and Keith Newman (46 tackles) also generated an impact, combining for 27 tackles against the Packers. Tackle Kevin Williams (67 tackles, 10 sacks), who leads the line in stops, had seven against Green Bay. Minnesota ranks 23rd in NFL rushing defense (125.9 yards per game).

The Redskins will hand the ball once again to quarterback Patrick Ramsey (1449 passing yards, 8 TD, 10 INT), who at the very least has given the team a chance to win in his six starts. Ramsey completed 19 of 29 passes for 158 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in the Dallas loss. Wideout Laveranues Coles (87 receptions, 1 TD) was Ramsey's favorite target, catching seven passes for 53 yards, and No. 2 receiver Rod Gardner (50 receptions, 5 TD) added five grabs for 31 yards. Ramsey's touchdown pass went to tight end Robert Royal (7 receptions, 3 TD), his third of the year. The Washington line allowed two sacks against Dallas, and has given up 35 in 2004. The Redskins rank 29th in the league in passing offense (162.1 yards per game) entering the Minnesota game.

As has been the case for much of the season, the Vikings were let down by a weak effort from the secondary last week. Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns in the game, and wideouts Donald Driver and Javon Walker combined for 16 catches and 252 yards. Cornerbacks Antoine Winfield (84 tackles, 3 INT) and Brian Williams (66 tackles, 2 INT) will be among those trying to bounce back in the hopes of turning around the NFL's third-worst passing defense (245.8 yards per game). The Vikings defense had one sack of Favre, that contributed by end Lance Johnstone (31 tackles, 11 sacks). Johnstone and Kevin Williams have combined for 21 of the team's 36 sacks in 2004.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Even if one dismisses the poor record for dome teams in January road games, there still has to be some concern about the Vikings' chances this week. The Minnesota offense doesn't figure to run up and down the field against a strong Washington "D," and even the struggling Redskins attack has a chance to make gains against a very porous Minnesota defense. When adding in that the Redskins will likely be fired up to play the role of the spoiler, especially at home in their season finale, the Vikings' stock drops a bit further. Look for Washington to pull the upset, and for the Vikings to rely on someone else to determine their postseason fate.

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NFL Preview - Atlanta (11-4) at Seattle (8-7)

(NFL Wager With Our Sportsbook Review) - The Seattle Seahawks will look to wrap up the NFC West title on Sunday, when Mike Holmgren's team welcomes the Atlanta Falcons to Qwest Field.

Seattle enters Week 17 a game ahead of St. Louis in the NFC West, and can claim its first outright division title since 1988 with a victory or a Rams loss to the Jets this Sunday. Last week, Holmgren and company earned a 24-21 home win over Arizona, clinching at least an NFC Wild Card berth in the process. The Seahawks will be making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 1987-88.

Atlanta, meanwhile, has already wrapped up the NFC South title and the conference's No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs. With that position already secure, the Falcons were 26-13 losers in New Orleans last week. Jim Mora's team played without Pro Bowl quarterback Michael Vick (sprained shoulder), but Vick is expected to start against Seattle.

SERIES HISTORY

Seattle holds a 6-2 lead in its all-time series with Atlanta, and has won two straight against the Falcons dating back to 2000. Atlanta's most recent win in the series came in Seattle during the 1997 season. The Falcons are 1-2 all-time when visiting the Seahawks, losing on the road in 1976 and 1985.

Holmgren is 4-1 against Atlanta in his career, including a win for his Packers over the Falcons in a 1995 NFC First-Round Playoff. Holmgren has won four straight against Atlanta since Green Bay lost to the Falcons in the 1992 season. Mora will be meeting both Holmgren and the Seahawks for the first time as a head coach.

FALCONS OFFENSE VS. SEAHAWKS DEFENSE

Not only were the Falcons without Vick for last week's game, but they were also missing bruising running back T.J. Duckett. Both players are a vital part of Atlanta's top-rated running game (164.5 yards per game). Not surprisingly, the Falcons struggled without Vick and Duckett, as the team managed just 93 yards on the ground. Atlanta still had its leading rusher Warrick Dunn, who paced the offense with 52 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Dunn leads the team with 974 yards and nine rushing TDs, while Vick has 889 yards and three TDs on the ground. Duckett, who is also listed as questionable for this week's game, gets most of the carries in enemy territory and has compiled 457 yards and eight TDs on just 97 carries.

Seattle did a nice job of stopping the run against the Cardinals last week and it hopes to do the same this Sunday. The Seahawks surrendered 97 yards on the ground with Emmitt Smith doing the most damage with 65 yards on 23 carries. Chike Okeafor had a superb game at defensive end for Seattle, posting nine tackles. Okeafor (52 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks) also notched a pair of sacks in the win. The Seahawks are ranked 21st in the NFL at stopping the run this season (121.8 yards per game).

Matt Schaub's first career NFL start was not a memorable one, to say the least. Schaub struggled greatly last week against the Saints and ended up completing just 17-of-41 passes for 188 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Even though Vick (2,278 yards, 13 TD, 12 INT) is slated to start this week it is uncertain how much playing time he will actually log. That means Schaub will most likely see action in this week's game, as well. The Falcons have struggled with their passing offense all season long and are ranked 30th in the league in that department (144.7 yards per game).

The Seahawks allowed some significant yardage through the air last week against the Cardinals, but they didn't make things easy. Arizona QB Josh McCown threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns, but was sacked four times and picked off twice. In addition to Okeafor's two sacks, Ken Hamlin and Antonio Cochran also got to the quarterback. Also, starting cornerback Marcus Trufant, who is the team's leading tackler with 86 stops, posted six tackles and an interception. The Seahawks have struggled against the pass this year and are ranked 24th in the NFL in that category (229.3 yards per game).

SEAHAWKS OFFENSE VS. FALCONS DEFENSE

The Seahawks were without starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck last week so it's not surprising that they relied heavily on Pro Bowl running back Shaun Alexander. The fifth-year pro out of Alabama had a huge day against the Cardinals, as he racked up 154 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Alexander currently leads the NFL with 1,616 rushing yards and is trying to become the first-ever Seahawks running back to win an NFL rushing title. Seattle posted 175 total rushing yards in the win over the Cardinals and it has the league's seventh-best rushing offense (134.1 yards per game).

The Falcons have the league's ninth-rated rushing defense this season (106.5 yards per game), but they will likely be tested by Alexander this week. Atlanta is coming off a poor effort against the Saints' running attack in a game where it allowed 160 yards on the ground. One of the big reasons the Falcons struggled against the run last week is because they were without starting nose tackle Ed Jasper, who missed the game with a wrist injury. Jasper (34 tackles, 2 sacks) is listed as questionable for this week's contest.

Hasselbeck's return to the lineup this week is a welcome sign considering the way Seattle's passing attack performed against the Cardinals without him . Hasselbeck was forced to miss last week's game with an elbow injury so Trent Dilfer got the start instead. Hasselbeck (3,191 yards, 20 TD, 14 INT) is listed as probable for this week's contest. That is good news considering that Dilfer completed just 10-of-26 passes for 128 yards with no touchdowns and an interception against the Cards. Darrell Jackson (84 catches, 1,181 yards, 6 TD) led Seattle with six catches for 101 yards. The Seahawks are currently tied for the NFL's 11th-best passing offense (224.6 yards per game).

The Falcons did a solid job against the Saints' potent passing offense last week and they hope to repeat that success on Sunday. Aaron Brooks threw for 227 yards and a touchdown, but he was sacked three times and threw two interceptions. Defensive end Travis Hall (28 tackles, 3 sacks) posted five tackles and a pair of sacks in the win. Meanwhile, linebacker Keith Brooking (98 tackles) notched eight stops and an interception. Atlanta has the league's 21st-rated passing defense (223.7 yards per game).

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Seahawks clearly have much more to play for this week and should use that desperation to their advantage. The Falcons, meanwhile, are locked into the conference's No. 2 seed and are just tuning up for the postseason. Vick won't be a major factor in this game, but expect Alexander and Hasselbeck to propel Seattle to the NFC West title

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NFL Preview - Kansas City (7-8) at San Diego (11-4)

(NFL Wager With Our Sportsbook Review) - The San Diego Chargers will be looking to end their season on a high note on Sunday afternoon, when Marty Schottenheimer's team welcomes AFC West rival Kansas City to Qualcomm Stadium.

The Chargers saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end in Indianapolis last Sunday, when the Bolts surrendered a 31-13 lead to fall to the Colts, 34-31 in overtime. The defeat locked San Diego into the No. 4 spot in the upcoming AFC playoffs, and also denied the team, at least temporarily, what would have been its first 12-win season since 1979. The Bolts have already wrapped up the AFC West crown, their first division title since 1994.

Kansas City travels to southern California as one of the NFL's hottest teams, after Dick Vermeil's squad notched its fourth straight triumph in a 31-30 thriller against Oakland on Christmas Day. The Chiefs have scored at least 31 points in each of their past five games, four of which have resulted in wins. Kansas City has clinched a third place finish in the AFC West, and will be looking to avoid its first losing season since 2001.

SERIES HISTORY

Kansas City holds a 47-40-1 lead in a series with San Diego that dates back to 1960, when the Chiefs franchise was known as the Dallas Texans and the Chargers resided in Los Angeles. The Chiefs have gone 10-5 against the Chargers since 1997, but lost a 34-31 home contest against the team in Week 12. Kansas City was a 28-24 winner when it visited San Diego last season, with the Chargers' last home victory over the Chiefs occurring in 2002.

In addition to their regular season history, the teams have met once in the postseason, with the Chargers scoring a 17-0 home victory in a 1992 AFC First- Round Playoff.

Schottenheimer is 4-4 against the team that he coached from 1989 through 1998, including 2-4 since leaving the franchise. Vermeil is 5-3 against the Chargers all-time, including 5-2 since taking the helm of Kansas City in 2001, and is 4-3 in his career against Schottenheimer.

CHIEFS OFFENSE VS. CHARGERS DEFENSE

Chiefs running back Larry Johnson (535 yards, 14 receptions, 9 TD) will head into Sunday's game looking to put an exclamation point on what has been a breakout second-half for the former first-round draft pick. The former Penn State star was held to 79 yards on 25 carries against Oakland, but scored two touchdowns for the fourth straight game. With Derrick Blaylock (539 yards, 8 TD) likely to miss the regular season finale with a knee injury, Johnson and fullback Tony Richardson (56 rushing yards, 18 receptions) should see most of the work. Johnson had 10 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown against San Diego in Week 12. Kansas City ranks third in NFL rushing offense (147.9 yards per game).

Johnson and company will be going up against the NFL's second-ranked rushing defense (82.5 yards per game), one that held the Colts' Edgerrin James to 86 yards on 22 carries last Sunday. Inside linebacker Donnie Edwards (144 tackles, 5 INT) had a team-high nine tackles, an interception, and a sack in the loss, and fellow ILB Randall Godfrey (84 tackles) posted four stops. End Igor Olshansky (38 tackles) and nose tackle Jamal Williams (32 tackles), who have served as the line's primary run-stuffers this year, had two tackles each versus Indianapolis.

A blow to the head in the Oakland game has left quarterback Trent Green (4218 passing yards, 26 TD, 13 INT) with a black eye, but Green will nonetheless make the start against San Diego. Green had a huge day against the Raiders, completing 32 of 45 passes 358 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and an interception. It was the veteran's seventh 300-yard passing game of the season. Tight end Tony Gonzales (88 receptions, 7 TD) exploded for 11 catches, 124 yards, and two touchdowns, and wideout Eddie Kennison (58 receptions, 8 TD) added 79 yards on six grabs. Johnnie Morton (55 receptions, 3 TD) is unlikely to play on Sunday due to a knee injury. San Diego held Green to 208 passing yards in Week 12, and his 66.8 passer rating remains his lowest in the past 13 games. Green has been sacked a modest 32 times on the year, and the team ranks fourth in NFL passing offense (268.9 yards per game).

The Chargers failed to stop Colts quarterback Peyton Manning last week, allowing the star to throw for 383 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but the defense did slow him at times. San Diego sacked Manning a season-high four times, including three for outside linebacker Steve Foley (63 tackles, 10 sacks) and also goaded a rare interception from the All-Pro. Cornerbacks Drayton Florence (34 tackles, 3 INT) and Quentin Jammer (56 tackles, 1 INT) had seven tackles each in the defeat. San Diego's Achilles heel for much of the year has been defending aerial attacks, and the team ranks just 29th in NFL passing defense (245.3 yards per game).

CHARGERS OFFENSE VS. CHIEFS DEFENSE

The Chargers figure to be extremely cautious with their use of running back LaDainian Tomlinson (1335 rushing yards, 53 receptions, 18 TD), who had 176 combined yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Colts last week. Tomlinson can tie the NFL record with what would be a touchdown in his 13th consecutive game this week, but the streak will carry over to next year if Tomlinson is de-activated for the contest. Jesse Chatman (392 yards, 3 TD), who has played well in relief of Tomlinson this year, could see extended time but is nursing a toe injury. Chatman carried twice in the Colts loss, failing to net a yard. San Diego ranks sixth in NFL rushing offense (136.5 yards per game) heading into the Kansas City game.

The Chiefs have defended the run reasonably well of late, and are 12th in NFL rushing defense (113.1 yards per game) after holding the Raiders to 100 ground yards last week. Linebackers Kawika Mitchell (62 tackles), Scott Fujita (85 tackles), and Monty Beisel (52 tackles) were 1-2-3 in stops against the Raiders, and Beisel added a sack to the proceedings. Defensive tackles Lional Dalton (20 tackles) and John Browning (37 tackles), who have been effective run-stoppers all year, combined for five tackles in the Oakland win. Kansas City held Tomlinson to 46 rushing yards on 21 carries in Week 12.

Like with Tomlinson, the Chargers could choose to limit the play of quarterback Drew Brees (3159 passing yards, 27 TD, 7 INT) for precautionary reasons. That means first-round draft pick Philip Rivers could throw his first NFL passes on Sunday, and veteran Doug Flutie (77 passing yards, 1 rushing TD) could see his first action since Week 2. Whoever plays quarterback is unlikely to have wideouts Keenan McCardell (hamstring) and Tim Dwight (toe) in the fold due to injuries, and receiver Eric Parker (47 receptions, 4 TD) and tight end Antonio Gates (81 receptions, 13 TD) could both see limited reps in a meaningless game. Brees threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns in the Indianapolis loss, with Parker, Gates, and Tomlinson all catching touchdown passes. Brees was sacked just once, and the San Diego line has allowed just 19 sacks all year. The Bolts rank 17th in the league in passing offense (209.5 yards per game).

Kansas City appears destined to finish the year ranked last in the league in passing defense (265.9 yards per game), though the team bettered its average by allowing Oakland's Kerry Collins to pass for just 217 yards last Saturday. Cornerback Benny Sapp recorded his first career interception in the game, and fellow CB Eric Warfield led the secondary with three tackles. Safety Jerome Woods (41 tackles), who has missed the last five games with a knee injury, is not expected to return to the field. The Chiefs have 39 sacks on the year, including two rung up against Collins on Christmas. Rookie end Jared Allen (28 tackles) added a sack to his team-leading total of nine in the win.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Had the Chargers defeated the Colts last week, this Sunday's game with the Chiefs might have taken on less significance. But no team wants to go into the playoffs with two straight losses, and pride might get in the way of the Chargers allowing a division rival to beat them on their home turf, especially when Schottenheimer just happens to have coached that opponent for 10 years. That's why, of all the teams playing meaningless matchups this week, San Diego might be the one expected to play with a bit more purpose. Kansas City is not an overly physical team, and the Bolts will play their starters longer than many would have guessed in an effort to get a win.

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NFL Preview - Dallas (6-9) at NY Giants (5-10)

(NFL Wager With Our Sportsbook Review) - The NFL regular season will officially draw to a close on Sunday night, when the struggling New York Giants play host to the Dallas Cowboys at the Meadowlands.

New York will be vying to snap its eight-game losing streak, which was extended with a heartbreaking 23-22 loss to the Bengals last week. Rookie quarterback and No. 1 draft pick Eli Manning dropped to 0-6 as a starter in the defeat. Tom Coughlin's team last won in Week 8, when it took down the Vikings, 34-13. The G-Men are tied with the Redskins for third place in the NFC East.

Dallas, meanwhile, will be trying to end a disappointing 2004 campaign on the high of a two-game winning streak. The Cowboys were 13-10 come-from-behind winners over Washington last Sunday, helping Bill Parcells' club end a two- game losing skid. Dallas currently resides in second place in the NFC East, a game ahead of the Giants and Redskins.

SERIES HISTORY

The Cowboys lead the all-time series with the Giants, which dates back to 1960, by a 50-32-2 count. The Giants were 26-10 road winners over Dallas in Week 5, snapping a two-game losing skid in the series. The Cowboys won, 35-32, in their most recent visit to the Meadowlands, last year. New York had won four straight home games against Dallas prior to that game.

Parcells, who served as head coach of the Giants from 1983 through 1990, has a career record of 3-2 against his former team. Coughlin has a 2-2 record against Dallas as a head coach, and is 2-3 against Parcells in his career. Parcells' Patriots defeated Coughlin's Jaguars in the 1996 AFC Championship, and his Jets downed Coughlin and company in a 1998 AFC Divisional Playoff.

COWBOYS OFFENSE VS. GIANTS DEFENSE

Vinny Testaverde will start the Cowboys season finale, as rookie Drew Henson remains on the sideline as backup. Testaverde (3301 yards, 16 TD, 20 INT) was an early surprise this season, but injuries to his receiving corps haven't allowed him to recapture that success on a consistent basis. Last week he completed 23-of-39 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Testaverde found rookie receiver Patrick Crayton for a 39-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left to provide the difference. It was the first NFL score for Crayton, who caught a 15-yard pass on fourth down earlier in the winning drive. Keyshawn Johnson (963 yards, 6 TD) caught nine balls for 84 yards, and Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten (903 yards, 5 TD) registered six catches for 50 yards.

Testaverde will face a Giants secondary trying to force him into throwing a pick for the 10th consecutive game. Overall, New York is a solid eighth in the NFL against the pass (187.3 yards per game). Last week the Giants limited Bengals signal caller Jon Kitna to 20-of-32 passing for 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. However, in the end the Giants' inability to stop a desperate jump-ball on a 4th-and-10 led to a Chad Johnson touchdown catch and eighth consecutive loss. In the fluke-aided defeat, the Giants got to Kitna with three sacks, increasing their total to 37 -- fifth-best in the NFC.

Dallas running back Julius Jones (670 yards, 6 TD) has seen his production drop since accumulating 429 yards and five touchdowns in his first three games back from injury. Last week he averaged a meager 2.6-yards-per-carry with 57 yards on 22 attempts. Jones' day also included a lost fumble inside the five yard line. Eddie George, who didn't play the previous three games, carried three times for six yards against the Redskins. Overall the Cowboys are 21st in the NFL in ground production (108.1 yards per game).

The Giants put a clamp on Bengals' Rudi Johnson, who could only manage 31 yards on 19 carries in Week 16. The limited production was a surprise, considering New York is ranked a horrid 28th in the NFL against the run (133.3 yards per game). The Giants had let an opposing back eclipse the century mark in the three previous weeks, as Jerome Bettis, Chester Taylor and Clinton Portis combined for a total of 392 yards in the three contests.

GIANTS OFFENSE VS. COWBOYS DEFENSE

Eli Manning's baptism will end this week, as he tries to improve his 48.1 passer rating. Manning (899 yards, 3 TD, 8 INT) failed to build upon his very solid Week 15 performance against Pittsburgh last time out versus the Bengals. After throwing two touchdown passes in the loss to the Steelers, he completed 19-of-37 passes for 201 yards and a pick against Cincinnati. The Giants did score 20 points in the loss, which sadly is the second-highest number tallied with Manning at the helm. New York averaged under 10 points per-game in the No. 1 pick's first four games as starter.

The Cowboys have proved vulnerable through the air this season, as they rank 22nd in the NFL against the pass (225.6 yards per game). In the Giants' 26-10 win at Texas Stadium on October 10, Kurt Warner completed 18-of-33 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown. But that was back in Week 5, before the bottom fell out on New York's season. Since being exposed by Aaron Brooks in a 27-13 loss to the Saints on December 12, Dallas has tightened up against opposing quarterbacks. The Cowboys were able to intercept Philly's Donovan McNabb twice, albeit after Terrell Owens was injured, two games ago, and Washington's Patrick Ramsey tossed a pair of picks last week. Cornerback Terrence Newman hauled in one of Ramsey's INT's, giving him a team-high four for the season.

The one bright spot for the Giants this season has been the play of Pro Bowl running back Tiki Barber (1423 yards, 12TD). While he hasn't been as explosive since the passing game began struggling, Barber's 22-carry, 109-yard performance last week against the Bengals marked his ninth time over the century mark this season. In addition, he has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games, giving him a career-high 12 rushing scores in 2004. That's opposed to the two times he reached paydirt last season, when his fumbling problems made then-coach Jim Fassel reluctant to give him the ball at the goal line. Overall, the Giants rank 12th in the NFL in ground production (120.4 yards per game).

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are 11th in stopping the run (111.1 yards per game), which is hardly surprising for a Bill Parcells-coached team. In the last meeting, Barber carried 23 times for 122 yards and one touchdown. However, only one opposing back -- Green Bay's Ahman Green -- has been able to go over 100 yards since. Last week, Washington's Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis combined for 75 yards on 23 carries. Linebacker Scott Shanle doubled his season total with a team-high 10 tackles against the 'Skins,

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Before the season this looked like an intriguing matchup that could have a playoff berth hanging in the balance. Instead it's a completely meaningless contest that will close out the NFL's regular season slate. However, Manning has done his best work the past two weeks, so we could see him put it all together with a nice performance and spur hope for next season.

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