At FanIQ, we'll be breaking down each playoff game from every angle...

(5) New York Giants at (1) Dallas Cowboys.  Sunday 4:30 PM ET on FOX from Texas Stadium.

Weather Forecast: Sunny, 59 degrees.

The Giants played a pretty good defensive game against the Buccaneers, as well as passed the ball solidly.  Now they have to travel to Dallas to play a Cowboy team that has beaten them not once, but twice, both times by double digits.  But the Cowboys stumbled down the stretch, and the Giants are 8-1 on the road, the one loss being to Dallas.

Giants Offense vs Cowboys Defense

The Giants once again will likely be without center Shaun O’Hara, and Plaxico Burress is also banged up.  Last week, their offense was very efficient though.  Manning didn’t turn it over and completed a lot of passes.  The blocking was good, and the running was decent.  Brandon Jacobs is powerful, but struggled last week.  If Burress struggles, it definitely hurts because they don’t have any other passing targets.

Dallas has a pretty good defense on both fronts.  Their defensive line isn’t filled with all-stars, but Spears, Ratliff, and Canty have each done a good job controlling the line of scrimmage.  Ellis and Ware are both fantastic pass rushers from outside linebacker, and James and Ayodele are solid tacklers.  Both corners are now healthy, and are a great combo, and they are pretty strong at safety with Williams and Hamlin.

The key for the Giants will be balance.  They have to have about a 50/50 run/pass play call to be successful.  If the Giants become pass happy, the Cowboys will kill them with the blitzes from Ellis and Ware, and a secondary that gets a lot of picks will eat Manning up.  Run the ball effectively, and use it to set up the pass.  For Dallas, simply make them one-dimensional.  Shut down the run, and bring the pain to Manning.

Cowboys Offense vs Giants Defense

Tony Romo had great success during this season, throwing lots of touchdowns and completions.  Their offensive line blocked great both on the run and pass.  Marion Barber was a beast with the ball, and Terrell Owens and Jason Witten both had great seasons.  But Owens is hurt, and he’ll play, but not be at 100%.  His impact is tremendous.  But for the first time, Terry Glenn will be truly healthy.

The Giants defense prides themselves in pass rush, and although they only sacked Garcia once, he got hit a ton.  Strahan, Umenyiora, and Tuck don’t make passing comfortable for QB’s.  They have a pretty good group of linebackers, but their biggest concern is their secondary.  Ross has had a good rookie year, but is beatable and the veteran Madison and backup Dockery are both likely out.  That puts them thin at cornerback.

Dallas needs to use the run to set up the pass.  If you pound them with Barber and Jones, it will force them to put fewer guys in coverage to try to help those cornerbacks. It will give them one on one match ups, and the Giants won’t be able to bring as good of a pass rush.  For the Giants, they must generate a great pass rush from the front 4.  It’s something they are good at, and it must be at it’s best.  If they can get to Romo, and leave linebackers in coverage, they can help out the secondary.

Special Teams

For Dallas, Folk is a pretty good rookie kicker.  McBriar has a very strong leg, and is a great punter.  They’ve got a solid return game, but average coverage success.  For New York, they have solid kick return coverage, and an alright return game.  Tynes is a fairly good kicker, and Feagles is the smartest punter in football. (For what that’s worth)

Key Match Ups

DE Osi Umenyiora vs OT Flozell Adams:  Arguably the best DE in the NFL today against arguably the best tackle in the NFL today.  Umenyiora needs to bring the pressure to help the D, and Adams has to protect his QB and run block well.

CB Terrence Newman vs WR Plaxico Burress:  Burress is really the only receiving threat the Giants have.  If Newman can shut him down, who will the Giants throw it to?

The Verdict

I don’t see the Giants offense being very effective.  I think Burress gets shut down, and the running game has an average day, leading to turnovers in the passing game.  Dallas should have good field position from those turnovers, and they’ll run up the middle a good amount to try to counteract the pass rush.  They’ll be able to take a few shots one-on-one against the corners as well.  Cowboys 30, Giants 16.

I was 3-1 last week in game picks, spread, and over/under.  Going all chalk this week, what are your picks?