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Pressure Is On Top-Seeded Cowboys

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2008

IRVING, Texas - When two historic division rivals meet for the first time in the postseason, there is bound to be enough tension to stretch from Austin, Texas, to Atlantic City, N.J.

So why does all the pressure seem to be on one team?

America's Team.

Riding an eight-game road winning streak, the Giants enter Texas Stadium this afternoon as prohibitive underdogs to the NFC's No. 1 seed.

They've already dropped both regular-season meetings to the Cowboys, yielding 76 points, and Dallas boasts an NFL-high 12 Pro Bowl players, including seven starters.

"Yeah, their whole team is All-Pros going against us slapsticks," deadpanned Giants defensive end Michael Strahan. "If we are lucky, maybe we will have a chance."

After posting his first playoff win in last week's 24-14 victory against the Bucs, Eli Manning comes into this matchup as the "other" quarterback.

It's Tony Romo of Dallas who is facing the heat, despite throwing a franchise-record 36 touchdown passes.

Romo's decision to accompany Jessica Simpson for a quick trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, during the bye week has triggered a media frenzy in Dallas, where the Cowboys can do no wrong ... when things are going well.

But two losses in the final three games has prompted speculation first-year coach Wade Phillips could be in trouble with owner Jerry Jones if the Cowboys suffer their sixth consecutive playoff loss.

"We may have lost a couple of games at the end," Phillips said, "but we feel good about ourselves. We expect the Giants to play well. They are a good football team and our division was the toughest in the NFC."

After 91 regular-season meetings, the Giants and Cowboys finally face each other in the playoffs.

Romo riddled the Giants for eight touchdown passes in two previous matchups this season. and big-play receiver Terrell Owens is expected to dress despite a high ankle sprain.

The Giants could be buoyed by the return of center Shaun O'Hara (knee) and cornerback Sam Madison (abdominal strain), who were both sidelined at Tampa.

"We love playing there, we love going to Dallas," said Manning, who directed a turnover-free attack against the Buccaneers. "There are no secrets between these teams. It's a tough challenge against Dallas, we know that. Maybe the third time will be the charm."

Coming off impressive efforts against New England and Tampa Bay, the Giants are a confident bunch despite Strahan's carefully scripted plea for pity.

Dallas fans are predictably edgy.

Romo has never won a playoff game, and if New York can stay close in the second half, the home crowd could turn.

"They have more pressure on them than we do," said Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce. "We are just the 10-6 Giants against the No. 1 seed Cowboys, who are going to win the Super Bowl."

At least that's the plan for Jones, the maverick owner who has been waiting 12 years for another postseason win.

"I'm a believer in the bye week," ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said. "It gives these teams a huge advantage to freshen up. But what concerns me about Dallas is their inability to run the football as of late."

In topping the NFC with 455 points, the Cowboys relied on a balanced attack. Marion Barber ran hard between the tackles and when safeties began cheating up in the box, Owens or tight end Jason Witten would break free over the middle for a big gain.

If Barber is contained, the Giants will unleash the league's most prolific pass rush against Romo, who boasts rare pocket presence and is difficult to sack.

The Cowboys bring plenty of heat of their own, led by linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis. New York's underpublicized offensive line gave Manning solid protection in the final three quarters Sunday as he kept finding Amani Toomer for key gains.

"We know we can go and compete with these guys," said Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who registered three of his 12 touchdown receptions during a 45-35 loss at Dallas in Week 1. "We know them really well, and they know us really well."

While Coach Tom Coughlin solidified his future with his first playoff win for the Giants, the Cowboys know their 13-3 record and NFC East title will be quickly forgotten if New York pulls off an upset today.

"This is fun," Manning said. "Everybody is thrilled to be in this situation. Anytime you play the Cowboys, it's a big game."

This one is bigger.

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be

reached at (813) 259-7833

or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

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