Week 17 Sunday Night NFL Picks: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants Odds and Predictions – Free NFL Picks 1/1/12

Week 17 Free NFL Picks: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants NFL Week 17 Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on NBC 1/1/12: For the Cowboys and the Giants, it doesn’t get much bigger than Sunday night’s showdown in New York. Both teams enter the matchup with identical 8-7 records, and the winner will clinch the NFC East and a spot in the playoffs, while the loser will miss the postseason entirely. The winner-take-all format is the ultimate pressure-packed situation, and it is going to heavy a lasting impact on how both franchises view the season. After winning an earlier meeting in Dallas, the Giants are three-point favorites at home.

Leading up to the game, the top storyline has been the health of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. He suffered a bruised hand in last week’s loss to Philadelphia, missing all but a few plays. That being said, Romo has practiced throughout the week and is expected to be close to 100 percent for Sunday’s crucial game. The Cowboys need Romo under center to have a chance, and they need him to play well. He threw 29 touchdowns this season, while completing more than 65 percent of his passes, and he will be facing a New York secondary that has been gashed at times. Romo himself had a monster game in the earlier meeting, throwing for 321 yards and four scores. A similar performance will put Dallas in position to win.

New York will lean on their quarterback as well, and Eli Manning has risen to the occasion more often than not this year. He has thrown for a career-high 4,587 yards this year, adding 26 touchdowns. The numbers are more impressive, considering the Giants’ ground game has been completely inept most of the year and his receivers have been plagued by drops. Manning has had to carry the load, and he will have to do the same Saturday if the Giants are going to win.

There is no shortage of firepower for either signal caller. Dallas wide receivers Miles Austion, Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson have combined for 25 touchdowns this season, and all three players are capable of making big plays down the field. The Cowboys also have reliable tight end Jason Witten, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards. New York counters with receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. Cruz was the breakout star this season, and he enters the game with more than 1,300 yards. He also has a knack for making big plays, including a 99-yard touchdown catch last weekend.

With both sides likely to throw the ball early often, two suspect passing defenses will once again be on display. Both defenses looked shaky in the Giants’ 37-34 victory in early December, and another high-scoring affair could be in order. Although neither side can expect a lot out of its secondary, both defenses do possess potent pass rushes that could impact the outcome. Dallas is led by linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who finished with 18 sacks this season. Meanwhile, the Giants have a trio of solid options, with defensive ends Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul all capable of making big plays. Pierre-Paul could be especially vital after leading the team with 15 ½ sacks this season and blocking a potential game-tying field goal attempt against the Cowboys in the Giants victory in Dallas.

The X-factor in the game could be the psych of Romo and the strategy of Dallas coach Jason Garrett. Whether it is fair or not, Romo has always been viewed as somewhat of a choke artist in big games. For his part, he has had some turnovers at critical moments. Meanwhile, Garrett has been criticized for being too conservative late in games, causing Dallas to give up fourth quarter leads in almost all of the Cowboys’ defeats. In a game that will likely come down to the wire, one bad play could decide the outcome.

Sunday’s meeting between these two division rivals is going to have every bit the atmosphere of a playoff game. Romo and Manning will likely put on an aerial display, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see both teams crack the 30-point mark once again. In the end, it’s tough to ignore Dallas’ tendency to find ways to lose games in crucial spots. Whether it is a problem with Romo or an issue with the play calling, the fact is that the Cowboys aren’t good at closing games. With all the added pressure with a playoff spot being up for grabs, Manning’s experience as a former Super Bowl winner should pay dividends and help New York get the job done at home.

Prediction: New York Giants (-3) Cover the Spread

Free NFL Football Picks and Predictions: NY Giants -3

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