Giants vs. Cowboys: Early look at critical game

The New York Giants (5-2) meet the Dallas Cowboys (3-3) Sunday in Texas in a key NFC East game. For the Giants the game is an opportunity to increase their lead in the division, and get payback for the Cowboys' season-opening victory. For Dallas, it is a chance to make good on owner Jerry Jones' offseason promise that the Cowboys would "beat the Giants' ass" at Cowboys Stadium this season.

"It's a division game for us. We understand that it's a division opponent and we have to be ready to play," said Giants' wide receiver Victor Cruz. "They always play up for us. Giants vs. Cowboys is always a big game, so we want to come in and match their level of intensity."

The Cowboys beat the Giants to open the but have not really capitalized on that momentum. The Giants are coming off a last-minute victory over the Washington Redskins, while Dallas defeated the Carolina Panthers, 19-14.

The Giants opened as two-point underdogs, although some lines actually show them at favorites by a point or more.

-- This story originally appeared at SB Nation New York