The New York Giants claimed they were taking back up Dallas quarterback Brad Johnson seriously heading into Sunday's match up with the Cowboys.Even though the 40-year-old Johnson had struggled mightily in his two previous starts, completing barely 50 percent of his throws and tossing three interceptions versus two touchdowns in place of starter Tony Romo.
Public comments aside, the Giants had to be secretly licking their chops at the prospect of facing the immobile 17-year veteran, and rightly so; the Cowboys' six first-half drives ended: punt, interception, punt, fumble, interception, punt. If not for an ill-advised Eli Manning pick-six, New York would've led by more than 21-7 after the first 30 minutes. But as the teams headed to the locker room for intermission, the damage had been done.
When the the Cowboys got the ball to start the third quarter, journeyman backup Brooks Bollinger was the new quarterback ... and he proceeded to throw an interception on his first pass attempt. Two plays later, New York led 28-7, and all that was left to do was to try to keep the starters healthy and run out the clock. Both sides would score another touchdown, but the scoreboard belied just how badly New York dominated Dallas.
Manning had a mixed performance, throwing three touchdowns to go with three turnovers, but if there was ever a time to have an off-game it was Sunday. The victory is an important one because it keeps the now 7-1 Giants atop the division with the 6-2 Redskins still to play Monday night.
The Cowboys fall to 5-4 and their playoff hopes (forget the preseason Super Bowl dreams) are nothing more than a pipe dream. And there are still seven games to play. This can not make Jerry Jones very happy.
