Cowboys @ Giants Expert Picks: Can Cowboys Live Up To Expectations?

Two years ago, the Cowboys were 3.5-point underdogs when they faced what at the time were the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants - my, how time flies - in the season opener in New York. The Cowboys won that game 24-17.

Last year, the Cowboys headed into the Week 12 game in New York as 2.5-point underdogs and left as 24-21 winners.

This year the Cowboys are 3.5-point favorites heading into the Meadowlands. Can the Cowboys live up to expectations and pull off another road win in New York?

Six of the seven pundits pundits below believe that the Cowboys will do just that. Here's what those pundits think about the Cowboys' chances this week.

Name (Cowboys accuracy)	Pick	Score	Comment
Greg Cote, Miami Herald (7-3)		34-27	Dallas beat its divisionmate 31-21 in October and that sounds about right again. A home team playing for nothing but pride in a rivalry game is always dangerous and a tempting home ’dog, but Cows coming off a bye and 4-0 on the road are the clear pick in this Sunday nighter. Dallas’ D has a takeaway in nine consecutive games, and Eli Manning and the Biggies are too often (as last week) a turnover machine.
Vinny Iyer, Sporting News (7-3)		31-27	Eli Manning just threw five interceptions and Tom Coughlin is on the hot seat again. So it’s about time for Inconsistent Big Blue to come through with a win that makes the otherwise snarky New York media bow to the feet of Manning and Coughlin for winning the Super Bowl twice. Plus, it’s Dallas, and it’s always a wild one made for a Peacock shocker. The post-bye Cowboys will get caught looking a little ahead to the Eagles on Thanksgiving. A big play late from Manning to Odell Beckham Jr. takes them down.
Sam Farmer, LA Times (6-3)		28-21	Dallas is rested after its London game and is 4-0 on the road. The Giants have lost five in a row and are groping for answers. Watch for a big game from DeMarco Murray.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (6-4)		33-28	The Cowboys are coming off a bye, which they needed because of Tony Romo's back. The Giants have lost four consecutive games. Their playoff shot is almost done, and would be with a loss here. Tony Romo looks healthy again here with a big day.
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk (6-4)		24-13	Even if the Giants make good on safety Antrel Rolle’s vow to run the table, it may not be good enough to get an invitation to the playoff party.  It would be fitting for a team that has looked so bad to find a way to turn it around, but the Cowboys are good enough to overpower the team with the worst rush defense in the league — and a quarterback who threw five interceptions last Sunday.
Elliot Harrison, NFL.com (4-6)		24-21	Key matchup: Eli Manning vs. Rod Marinelli. Can the Cowboys' defensive coordinator come up with the right mix of coverages to stop the Giants' quarterback? Dallas' defense is not overly complex -- much of the unit's success this season is owed to hustle. Meanwhile, Manning has been mostly outstanding against the Cowboys in his career. This will mark the 15th time Manning and Tony Romo face each other in a regular-season matchup, more than any two active quarterbacks in the league; they've also met in the playoffs once. Romo leads the overall series 8-7.
Michael Smith, Pro Football Talk (4-6)		31-17	Tony Romo should be healthier after the bye week, and Eli Manning is playing some lousy football right now. That adds up to a Cowboys win in what could be another Sunday night blowout.

Our selection of pick 'em panels is just a decisive, coming down strongly in favor of the Cowboys:

The Giants are on a 5-game skid, and have averaged only 15.2 points over that stretch, yet many are expecting a high-scoring game - from both teams.

What's your expectation for the game?