Cowboys vs. Giants 2016 picks and predictions: Dallas strongly favored in NFC East rematch

The Dallas Cowboys are rolling at 11-1, and now they take on the only team that managed to beat them this year. The New York Giants will try to hold onto their spot in the playoffs when they host their divisional foes on Sunday Night Football.

The Giants edged the Cowboys, 20-19, in the regular season opener with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott making their NFL debuts. In hindsight, it smacks of a fluke win — Elliott has since emerged as an MVP candidate, while Prescott is playing exceptionally well in place of Tony Romo. The Cowboys clinched a playoff spot last week and can wrap up the NFC East by beating the Giants Sunday night.

Elliott had big expectations as the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft. He ended up exceeding them, leading the league with 1,285 yards in 12 games while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Elliott has a legitimate shot to break Eric Dickerson’s rookie record of 1,808 yards, a record that has stood since 1983. With elite talent surrounded by the best offensive line in football, Elliott is a game-breaking threat every week.

As for the Giants, they’re 8-4 and currently hold the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, but their lead feels tenuous after a dud performance last week. New York lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-14, ending its six-game winning streak. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers surging, along with Washington and the Atlanta Falcons still major factors in the wild card race, the Giants’ margin for error has vanished.

The Cowboys are generally favored to take the rematch here. Seven of 10 ESPN experts are picking them, while CBS Sports favors them by a 5-3 margin.

Here at SB Nation, it’s way more lopsided in favor of Dallas, with Joel Thorman being the only one to pick the Giants.

The NFC East rivalry will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with a live stream available at NBC Sports.