13 won’t be an unlucky number this week in the NFL as a number of intriguing matchups are on the sked.

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Sunday, December 3, 2006

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – Giants Stadium (Artificial)

There is a lot of drama surrounding this game. First off, there’s Tony Romo. In the preseason there were whispers of a young QB who could possibly unseat Drew Bledsoe. Some scoffed at the time, but the prophecy has come true. With Romo behind center, Dallas currently is 7-4 and on the rise in the NFC East.

Then there’s Giants DE Michael Strahan. The normally good natured Strahan snapped at a reporter after she asked him about comments he made about Plaxico Burress. Don’t forget about New York dropping a game to the Titans that they easily could’ve won either. Once with a cushy lead in the NFC East, the Giants are imploding and could miss the playoffs altogether unless they shape up.

Line: Dallas -3½ (Unchanged)

Over/Under: 43½ (Opening: 45)

Records: Cowboys 7-4 (7-4 ATS), Giants 6-5 (5-6 ATS)

Game Time: 4:15 PM EST

Key Points: Dallas has no injuries to report.

The Giants aren’t so lucky. Strahan probably won’t have a chance to take out his aggressions on the field, listed as doubtful with a foot injury, the same goes for CB Sam Madison (hamstring).

WR Sinorice Moss could return to the lineup even though he has missed a bulk of the season with a thigh injury. He’s currently questionable.

TE Jeremy Shockey probably will play despite an injury to his finger.

* Dallas is 0-4-1 ATS in their last five meetings with New York.

* The Cowboys are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games against NFC East opponents.

* The Giants are 2-4 ATS in their last six home games.

* New York is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 divisional encounters.

Winneronline Opinion: There’s a lot of bad karma in the Giants’ locker room. There’s the Strahan outburst, the second half implosion, lingering animosity about half assed efforts from WR Plaxico Burress and DE Mathis Kiwanuka and an all around hatred for coach Tom Coughlin. Look for Dallas to capitalize.

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