How to watch Giants vs. Cowboys 2014 online: Time, TV schedule and live stream

The Cowboys proved they are a real contender last week, while the Giants are at a crossroad after taking a beating from the Eagles.

by Matt Verderame

Oct 19, 2014, 1:40 PM UTC

Steve Dykes

For years, the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants have been beating each other up in the NFC East. Dallas was expected to be beaten often this season, but has instead come out flying with a 5-1 record. Meanwhile, New York is mediocre at 3-3 and reeling after a blowout 27-0 defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday night.

Even worse for the Giants was the loss of slot receiver Victor Cruz, who screamed in pain after tearing his patellar tendon last week, ending his season. New York's 24th-ranked offense will now rely even more on the ground attack of rookie Andre Williams and Rashad Jennings. Jennings has been effective in his five contests, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. The Cowboys will need to be better against the run to stop this duo. Dallas ranks 31st in the NFL at 5.1 yards per rush allowed.

Luckily for Dallas, any defensive shortcomings are made up by an explosive offense. Behind Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys are scoring 27.4 points per game. A major reason for the unit's success is the play of perhaps the best offensive line in football. Behind three first round picks, Murray has rushed for 785 yards thus far, becoming only the second back in NFL history to record six 100-yard games to start a season after Jim Brown did it in 1958.

With the end of October in sight, this is a critical game in the competitive NFC East. Dallas and Philadelphia lead the way with 5-1 record, but the Giants only two games back. A win here for New York would tighten things considerably, although Big Blue has a brutal stretch ahead. Over the next four weeks, the Giants will host the Colts before taking on the Seahawks on the road, then host the 49ers ahead of a rematch against the Cowboys.