New York Giants Win NFC East With 31-14 Victory Over Dallas Cowboys

The New York Giants are not done with the 2012 playoffs yet — in fact, they haven’t even begun. The Giants, though, already know which teams they will play in the 2012 NFL regular season.

The slate of opponents was announced today, and it looks somewhat like the 2011 schedule. The Giants will again face the Greeb Bay Packers at home and travel to face the San Francisco 49ers. They will play the NFC South and AFC North.

There will, of course, be six NFC East games. The remaining list of opponents looks like this:

- vs. Green Bay

- @ San Francisco

- vs. New Orleans

- vs. Tampa Bay

- vs. Cleveland

- vs. Pittsburgh

- @ Atlanta

- @ Carolina

- @ Baltimore

- @ Cincinnati

The dates and times will be determined at a later date.

The Giants, though, have business to take care of before worrying about all of that.

The New York Giants are NFC East champions after Sunday’s 31-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, meaning they are headed to the playoffs for the first time in three years. Here is a quick look back at the game.

It Was Over When …

Eli Manning hit Hakeem Nicks with a four-yard touchdown pass to give the Giants a commanding 31-14 lead with 3:46 to play.

Turning Point Of The Game

With Dallas having crept within 21-14 after trailing 21-0 at halftime the Giants were struggling to find some offense. On a second down play from their own 25-yard line, the Giants pulled off a play reminiscent of Manning to David Tyree in Super Bowl 42. Under a heavy rush, Manning spun out, found Victor Cruz deep downfield and simply flung the ball in his direction. Cruz came down with it for a 44-yard gain that set up a Lawrence Tynes’ field goal and helped the Giants re-establish control of the game.

Three Stars

- Eli Manning: The Giants quarterback was 24-of-33 for 346 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran his way out of trouble on a couple of occasions, and played another tremendous, mistake-free game.

- Victor Cruz: Six catches for 178 yards, including the aforementioned 44-yarder and a 74-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. The amazing second-year player from UMass just keeps making huge plays.

- The Giants Defense: Impossible to single out one player here. Huge plays all night by Michael Boley and Jason Pierre-Paul; two sacks for Osi Umenyiora in his return to action; an interception by Antrel Rolle; a sack and a forced fumble by Justin Tuck; a well-called game by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

What’s Next?

The Giants host the Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at MetLife Stadium Sunday (1 p.m. ET/FOX) in a first-round NFC Playoff game.

The Dallas Cowboys tallied a touchdown, but the New York Giants collected a huge interception that has helped the Giants take a two-score lead against the Cowboys, who trail, 21-7, entering the fourth quarter of a NFC East title game at MetLife Stadium in east Rutherford, NJ. The winner earns the division crown and a postseason date with the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday (1 p.m. on FOX).

Dallas used a six-play, 94-yard drive that was capped off by a 34-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Laurent Robinson from quarterback Tony Romo that trimmed the Giants 21-point halftime lead to just 14.

The Cowboys used the momentum from the touchdown to force a three-and-out by the Giants, who somewhat slowed down the Dallas surge when safety Antrel Rolle picked of Romo on the fifth play of the follwing drive.

However, the Giants swing was short lived as the Cowboys forced a turnovers on downs and now as the ball at the Giants 24-yard line facing a 2nd-and-15 as the fourth quarter begins.

For more coverage of the Cowboys vs. Giants, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View. For complete Cowboys coverage, visit our team page or our blog Blogging the Boys.

Two touchdowns -- one rushing, one receiving -- from running back Ahmad Bradshaw has helped the New York Giants earn a 21-0 halftime lead over the Dallas Cowboys in a NFC East title game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The winner of the contest earns the division title and the NFC's final playoff spot.

Bradshaw's first touchdown, a five-yard rush, came early in the second quarter, while the second score came on a 10-yard reception from quarterback Eli Manning that came with just 1:09 to play in the first half and gave the Giants a commanding three-score advantage heading into the locker room.

The Giants first touchdown of the game came on a electrifying 74-yard touchdown reception from wide receiver Victor Cruz, who turned a quick-out pattern from Manning into an early New York lead, 7-0.

On the Giants' opening drive of the second quarter, New York used 10 plays to march 68 yards to tally its second touchdown of the contest. The drive also featured two third-down conversions, including huge one involving Cruz and Manning on a 3rd-and-4 from the Cowboy's 10-yard line. Two plays later, from the spot that Cruz was tackled, Bradshaw scored.

Then, near the end of the half, Bradshaw ended a eight-play, 80-yard drive that was highlighted by a 29-yard rush by No. 44.

The Giants could have tacked on a field goal on their second possession of the second, but New York kicker Lawrence Tynes missed a 40-yard field goal with just under 10 minutes to play in the half.

Dallas had a chance to trim the Giants lead to 21-3, but Cowboy kicker Dan Bailey missed a 52-yard field goal as time expired.

Meanwhile, the New York defense has held the Cowboys offense to just 96 total yards and six first downs. Dallas has marched inside New York territory just twice.

Manning is 15-of-20 for 199 pass yards and a two touchdowns, while Cruz has already caught three passes for 87 receiving yards. Bradshaw has 46 yards on nine carries.

For more coverage of the Cowboys vs. Giants, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View. For complete Cowboys coverage, visit our team page or our blog Blogging the Boys.

A 74-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Victor Cruz from quarterback Eli Manning has helped the New York Giants take an early lead on the Dallas Cowboys, who trail 7-0 after one quarter of play in a NFC East title game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The winner earns the division title and the last playoff spot in the NFC.

Cruz's ninth touchdown of the season capped a short but effective six-play, 96-yard drive that also featured the Giants converting a 3rd-and-9 from their own five-yard line. On 3rd-and-1 from the their own 26-yard line, Manning connected with Cruz on a quick-out pattern that turned into a touchdown after the speedy receiver beat Cowboy's safety Terrence Newman to the edge and then outran the rest of the Dallas defense with 5:11 to play in the quarter.

Meanwhile, New York's defense has held the Cowboys to just 10 plays on three possessions.

For more coverage of the Cowboys vs. Giants, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View. For complete Cowboys coverage, visit our team page or our blog Blogging the Boys.

The New York Giants just released their inactives for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium at 8:20 p.m. (TV: NBC).

Mark Herzlich, Jake Ballard, Ramses Barden, Jim Cordle, Justin Trattou, Jimmy Kennedy and James Brewer are all among the Giants' inactives.

Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora is not on the inactives list and will be playing (but not starting) in tonight's game. Umenyiora had missed action since suffering a bad ankle sprain against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 22. He surprisingly returned to practice this past Wednesday. Wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham will also be playing. Barden is a healthy scratch. Bear Pascoe is starting at tight end in place of the injured Jake Ballard (via North Jersey.com).

The Cowboys also released their inactives for the game.

Frank Walker, Danny McCray (ankle), Shaun Chapas, David Arkin, Andre Holmes, Clifton Geathers are all listed as inactive for the contest.

For more coverage of the Cowboys vs. Giants, stay tuned to our storystream. For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View. For complete Cowboys coverage, visit our team page or our blog Blogging the Boys.

New York Giants tight end Jake Ballard will not play Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET/NBC) when the Giants face the Dallas Cowboys in a winner-take-all meeting for the NFC East title. The season will be over for the loser, while the winner advances to the NFC Playoffs.

Ballard has a PCL injury and also missed last Saturday’s victory over the New York Jets. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Ballard has been a revelation in his second season, catching 38 passes in 14 games.

Also out Sunday for the Giants will be linebacker Mark Herzlich, a rookie who has missed the past several games with an injured ankle.

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora practiced all week and will be listed as questionable for the game. He has missed the last four games with an ankle injury. Hakeem Nicks, who strained a hamstring against the Jets, is also going to be listed as questionable though he is expected to play.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo practiced with a bruised right hand for the second straight day on Thursday, wearing a wrap around his hand that he did not wear during the prior practice.

Romo is still expected to play Sunday when the Cowboys meet the New York Giants for the NFC East championship and a berth in the NFL playoffs.

After Wednesday's practice, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Romo looked "fairly functional" at practice, but admitted there was still an amount of swelling in the hand. Tight end Jason Witten and wide receiver Laurent Robinson noted that Romo's throwing motion and accuracy appeared unhindered by the injury. Romo was limited on Thursday, as he was on Wednesday.

Linebacker Sean Lee missed his second straight practice due to illness, but linebacker DeMarcus Ware (neck) and tackle Jay Ratliff (ribs) returned to the field and practiced on a limited basis.

For more Cowboys coverage, visit our team page or our blog Blogging the Boys.

The New York Giants relayed some good news after practice on Thursday.

Though wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and defensive end Osi Umenyiora's practice status remained unchanged -- Nicks missed practice again and Umenyiora was limited for the second straight day -- both players are on track to participate on Sunday when the Giants meet the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East title.

Nicks suffered a hamstring injury during the Giants' 29-14 victory against the New York Jets, but persevered through the injury and did not leave the game. He said he will play against the Cowboys.

Umenyiora suffered a badly sprained ankle on Nov. 28 against the New Orleans Saints and has not played since. He was a surprise participant in practice on Wednesday and should return to the lineup Sunday barring setback.

Tight end Jake Ballard (knee), running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and linebacker Mark Herzlich (ankle) also missed practice. Wide receiver Mario Manningham (knee) was limited.

For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and his teammates are "pretty confident" that Romo’s injured right (throwing) hand will not keep him out of Sunday’s decisive game with the New York Giants.

"Today was good. I was able to do some things with the ball that we weren't sure about so it was a good start to the week," Romo said. "We are going to keep working on it and get all the treatment and stuff. We should be good to go for this weekend."

For the Giants, the good news is that defensive end Osi Umenyiora practiced. The bad news is that wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) did not.

Here is the practice report for the Cowboys on Wednesday:

DID NOT PRACTICE

Outside Linebacker DeMarcus Ware (neck)
Defensive Tackle Jay Ratliff (ribs)
Inside Linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring)
Defensive Back Danny McCray (ankle)

LIMITED IN PRACTICE

Quarterback Tony Romo (hand)

FULL PRACTICE

Running Back Felix Jones (hamstring)
Nose Tackle Josh Brent (knee)

Here is the practice report for the Giants on Wednesday:

DID NOT PRACTICE

Tight End Jake Ballard (knee)
Running Back ahmad Bradshaw (Foot)
Linebacker Mark Herzlich (Ankle)
Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks (Hamstring)

LIMITED IN PRACTICE

Wide Receiver Mario Manningham (knee)
Defensive End Osi Umenyiora (Ankle)

The NFC East title is on the line this weekend when the New York Giants meet the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium, and the Giants might have an unexpected contributor.

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who has missed the last four games since suffering an ankle injury on Nov. 28, will be a surprise return to practice on Wednesday as the Giants prepare to face the Cowboys.

Coach Tom Coughlin said Umenyiora has undergone a series of tests and that team doctors have finally cleared him for return.

Umenyiora's return to the practice field does not necessarily mean he will play on Sunday night against the Cowboys. A report on Monday cited a source who claimed that Umenyiora was still "weeks" away from healing properly, and his availability will depend on how his body responds to work this week.

As is sometimes the case, good news comes with bad. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was a surprise addition to the injury report with a hamstring injury he suffered Saturday against the Jets. Coughlin expressed optimism that Nicks and Mario Manningham -- both expected to miss practice on Wednesday -- should be available against the Cowboys.

For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants continues to pile up the honors. Tuesday he was named to his first Pro Bowl. Today, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in the last three weeks.

The second-year defensive end from South Florida was the dominant defensive player in the Giants’ 29-14 victory Saturday over the Jets. Pierre-Paul had five tackles (four solo), including two sacks and three quarterback hits. His first sack, with two seconds to go in the second quarter, resulted in a seven-yard loss and forced the Jets to attempt a 44-yard field goal, which wasmissed His second sack was on the final series and all but ended the Jets’ chance for a miracle comeback. Pierre-Paul had a third sack – and a forced fumble – overturned on a replay review. Pierre-Paul has 15.5 sacks, the most by a Giant since Michael Strahan had 18.5 in 2003.

Pierre-Paul also won the award for his outstanding performance in the Giants’ 37-34 victory in Dallas on Dec. 11, when he led the team with eight tackles (six solo), including two sacks of Tony Romo. The first resulted in a safety for the Giants’ first points. The second sack was on a third down in the third quarter and forced the Cowboys to punt from their own 43-yard line. Pierre-Paul also forced a Felix Jones fumble that was recovered by Deon Grant and led to a field goal. He secured the victory by blocking Dan Bailey’s 47-yard field goal attempt with one second left in the game.

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora injured his ankle during the Giants' blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 28. He has missed the last four games since the injury occurred.

Umenyiora did not have surgery on the ankle and will return to the practice field to test it later this week. A report says that Umenyiora will need more weeks before he can return.

"He's still not ready to play," the source said. "In the end, he may try to play. But he needs at least a couple more weeks to properly heal." (via New York Daily News)

The Giants held out hope that Umenyiora could return at some point this season and did not place him on the injured reserve list. Even if he can return for the Giants before the end of the season, Umenyiora might still need surgery after the season is over.

For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.

When the New York Giants meet the Dallas Cowboys this weekend, the NFC East title and the postseason berth that comes with it will be on the line. But wide receiver Mario Manningham might not be able to impact whether the Giants make the playoffs.

Coach Tom Coughlin said Manningham is "questionable" to start the week despite feeling better as last week progressed. Manningham has caught 39 passes for 523 yards and four touchdowns this season, but missed New York's victory on Sunday against the New York Jets with a lingering knee injury that could require surgery after the season.

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports that Manningham is "optimistic" he will return against the Cowboys.

In other Giants injury news, tight end Jake Ballard told reporters he feels better, but admitted he is not yet ready to go and would not guess whether he would be available this weekend.

For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog Big Blue View.